Test Drive - Samantha Chase Page 0,56
it’s all because of you.”
“Willow…”
Now she lifted up on one elbow to look at him. “No, I’m serious, Levi. I was so nervous about this trip and everything you’ve done has made things easier. Better. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“I’m not looking to be repaid. I did it because…”
Shit. How do I say this without freaking her out?
“I know. You did it because you’re a nice guy and we’re friends. I get that,” she said, interrupting his thought.
Um…friends?
“Friends?” he repeated.
“Well…yeah.” Then she giggled. “Okay, so maybe we’ve ventured into the friends with benefits territory, but the bottom line is that you’re this amazing man and I’m incredibly grateful to you.”
“Willow,” he groaned.
“Oh, stop.” She placed a soft kiss on his chest. “You seem like the kind of guy who doesn’t like people fussing over you or praising you publicly, but it’s just the two of us here, and you should know that I think you’re incredibly awesome.” She yawned. “You’re like the perfect guy, Levi. Some woman is going to be very lucky to be your real girlfriend.”
Then she lay back down and cuddled up next to him. Levi contemplated correcting her, but she was yawning and getting comfortable and he wasn’t sure now was the time.
Crap. She still saw this as them pretending to be involved. Fake relationship. Fake lovers.
Little did she know the only thing fake was…well, the fakeness. They had two days worth of driving starting tomorrow morning. That meant he had two days to convince her this wasn’t pretend.
This wasn’t because he was doing her a favor.
When he heard her soft snore, Levi slowly stretched and reached over to the bedside table for his phone. Even though it was late, he knew he could send a few quick texts without it being a big deal. As much as he hated to let Willow go, he carefully pulled his arm out from under her and pulled out his messenger app. With a small smile, he sent a message to both Katie and Natalie that he and Willow wouldn’t be stopping and seeing them on their way home.
Levi: Change of plans. Willow and I are taking some detours, and making a few other stops on the way home. Thanks for letting us stay with you last week and hopefully we’ll be seeing you both again soon. I’ll call when I get home and make sure everything’s okay at the pub. Love you guys! Xoxo
Once he put the phone down, he turned out the light and wrapped his arms around Willow again.
It took less than a minute for him to fall asleep.
12
“So there’s no plan.”
“Nope.”
“No…scheduled stops.”
“Not a one.”
“What about gas?”
“Well, that’s a given, but I don’t have it scheduled.”
“Potty breaks?”
“Same thing.”
“Hmm…”
“Hmm…what?”
“Any time I’ve ever driven to Florida and back, there’s been a plan. Places we always stop.”
“Any of them exciting?”
Willow didn’t even have to think about it. “No. Gas and a hotel for the night. That’s it.”
Levi glanced over at her with a grin. “Were there places you wanted to stop but weren’t allowed to?”
“Oh my goodness, yes!”
“Okay, then. That’s what we’ll do. Any place you want to stop at, we will.”
“What if it’s for a snack?”
“Done.”
“What if it’s for a tacky roadside attraction?”
“Even better.”
“Can we stop and get some Florida oranges to take home? Peanuts and peaches in Georgia? Stop for tacos at South of the Border in South Carolina?”
Beside her, Levi laughed as he merged onto the highway. “Willow, we can do all of that and more. It doesn’t sound like any of those are particularly time-consuming. Are we still aiming to make this a two-day trip or can we extend it to three?”
“We really need to keep it to two, unfortunately. I really need to get back to work and I’m sure you do too. That just means longer driving time. I hope that’s okay.”
“You know, you never did try and get behind the wheel.”
Closing her eyes, Willow’s head fell back against the seat. “I was hoping you didn’t notice that.”
“No worries, no pressure,” he said smoothly. “However…this is going to be a lot of driving…”
Opening her eyes, she twisted in her seat to face him. “Let me ask you something.”
“Go for it.”
“When did you buy this car?”
“Why?”
“I’m being completely serious here. How long ago did you buy it?”
“Um…about a year ago.”
“Okay. And how much have you babied it since buying it?”
“Willow, I don’t baby it…”
“Really? So you don’t take it to the car wash once a week or make sure no