the sink and gather my things into a pile by the front door.
My brother and Natalie were already gone by the time I rolled off the couch this morning, so I can only assume that means she’s not going to budge on her answer even after what happened last night.
My plan was to try one more time to talk her into it when she showed up at Logan’s last night, but as soon as that message from Alana came through my head was so screwed up that I didn’t have the fight inside me to convince her to come. Not even what I said at the bar was giving her my all like I should have.
It’s just like Alana to have the best timing when it comes to ruining me.
Logan and I said our goodbyes last night before he went to bed, so I lock up and begin loading my truck with my fishing gear, acoustic guitar, and my suitcase full of clothes.
I hop into my truck and am just about to pull away from the house when Natalie’s little white car pulls into the driveway.
I sit here for a minute, watching as she steps out onto the blacktop and eyes my truck over as if she’s debating on what to do next.
Keeping my eyes on her, I shift my truck into park and step out onto the road, before walking around to lean against the hood. “Logan is still at work.”
I can’t help but notice how cute she looks as she nervously runs her hand over her long hair, pulling the mahogany braid forward to hang over her right shoulder.
“Yeah. I heard. I just left the diner he failed to meet me at since he apparently couldn’t find time for me.”
“Okay…” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for her to tell me what she’s doing here. I should be on the road already, but if there’s even the slightest chance that she’s changed her mind I’ll stand here all night just to hear her say those words.
“Your brother gave me your number. I tried calling but you didn’t pick up.”
I cock a brow and try to keep a straight face. “Yeah, my phone sort of quit working on me. Looks like I’ll be getting a new one once I get back…” I pull out a smoke and place it between my lips, lighting it up. “If you were calling to say bye you could’ve just said that this morning before you crept out the door. I was awake.”
“That’s not why I called.” She walks around her car and pulls a suitcase from the backseat, setting it down beside her feet. “I decided I could use that vacation after all. My boss is pushing me to use my days before I lose them. I figured it’d be a waste not to go.”
Her words say one thing while her eyes say another. She knows just as well as I do that she feels sorry for me after witnessing my little breakdown last night. And it probably didn’t help that Logan stood her up for probably the millionth time since they’ve been dating.
I nod. “Let me get that for you.” I walk over and attempt to take it from her, but she places her hand on my chest to stop me.
“I’m not useless. I managed to get it into my car without you, so back up, rock star.”
A small smirk crosses my face as I toss my smoke aside and watch her throw her suitcase into the back of my truck.
I’m so relieved she changed her mind that I find myself scooping her up just under her ass and roughly kissing her cheek. I need to remember to thank Carla next time I see her.
She slaps at my bicep until I finally drop her back down to her feet. “Do that again and I’ll twist a nipple until it pops off.”
I open the truck door for her with a playful grin to lighten the mood. “Watch it. I may be into that sort of thing.”
She narrows her eyes at me and pushes my chest, before hopping into my truck. “Just drive before I come to my senses and change my mind.”
“Whatever you say, babe. It turns me on when a woman gives me orders.” I wink and jog to the other side of the truck, hopping in myself. Then I turn to her and shift into drive. “That’s something you might need to know about me since we’re going