handed the phone back to him, her smile widening. “You don’t strike me as a Skittles type of guy, but maybe—”
He took the phone from her, careful not to let their fingers brush, and shoved it into his back pocket. “Lily, stop. We’re not Thelma and Louise here. This isn’t a great adventure where we do sing-alongs and play the license plate game. I owe my aunt a favor, and you’re the way I’m repaying it.”
“It’s a big favor.”
“You have no idea.” He took a step toward the door. “But we’re not going to be friends. I don’t want to be your friend. We have four days together in a car. Then it’s over. Got it?”
“I’ve got it,” she answered, shoulders slumping just a bit. “No fun. No friends. You’re my ride home.”
“Yeah.” No, his mind screamed. He wanted more, a glimmer of something he’d given up years ago. But he wouldn’t tell her that. He’d set the boundaries, and they both needed to adhere to them. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, then turned and walked away.
CHAPTER FOUR
LILY WAITED ON the sidewalk in front of her crappy apartment building the following morning, trying to enjoy the beautiful September day. She was exhausted from lack of sleep and the realization that all she had to show for the past seven years was a dozen sad boxes of clothes and trinkets.
Chloe nudged her big head against Lily’s leg, a reminder of the best thing she’d gained during her time in Los Angeles. The dog was almost two years old now, a shedding, drooling, gentle giant of an animal.
They were an unlikely pair. Lily stood only a few inches over five feet and had never been especially strong. Often it felt like Chloe was walking her rather than the other way around. The dog suffered from separation anxiety and had a penchant for chewing leather shoes. The one decent pair of boots Lily owned had been an early casualty, and she’d learned to put anything of value out of reach. But she loved the furry beast with her whole heart.
A shiny late-model Toyota 4Runner turned the corner, out of place against the shabby buildings and older cars that lined the street. Lily breathed a sigh of relief.
He might be nothing like most men she knew, but Garrett Dawes was her knight in a shining SUV at the moment. She still couldn’t believe he’d agreed to drive her all the way to North Carolina. She’d tried to ask Mary Jo about him, curious as to their relationship and what kind of favor he owed that would take him so far out of his obvious comfort zone.
But the older woman had simply patted her cheek and given a vague response about Garrett being one of the good ones.
Lily had been shocked at how simple it was to say goodbye to her friends at the diner and pack her meager belongings. She’d never examined why she’d been unable to really put down roots in California. Maybe part of her had known this life was never meant to be.
She hated that her mother would have been disappointed at Lily giving up the dream of stardom. Even more, shame filled her knowing she’d half-heartedly pursued a future because she’d never actually wanted it in the first place.
Her father had called from the hospital last night, and she’d assured him that coming home was her choice. He’d sounded tired but grateful. Even if she didn’t stay in Magnolia once he recovered, Lily had no doubt she was doing the right thing now.
Garrett parked at the curb and climbed out of the vehicle. He wore a heather gray T-shirt, faded jeans and mirrored aviator sunglasses that prevented her from seeing his dark eyes.
Probably for the best as she could imagine the condemnation in them as he took in the boxes that made up the sum total of her life.
She had enough judgment for them both.
“Good morning,” she said, offering a cheerful smile. “It’s great weather for a drive.”
He humphed an inarticulate response, and Chloe barked in greeting.
“The dog is enormous,” he muttered. “Even for an SUV.”
“But she loves riding in cars,” Lily told him, keeping her tone light. “The motion puts her right to sleep so she won’t be any trouble.” She smoothed a hand along Chloe’s strong back. The dog was fawn-colored with a black mask over her snout, around her eyes and on the tips of her ears.
“Does she shed?”
“Not too much.” Lily ignored the cloud of