Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

JULY

I am so going to be late. I should have left four hours earlier than I did, made it to the apartment I am going to be staying in and left myself time to look around, but instead I am late and if the jerking of my car is any indication I am going to be even later. “No. No. No. Bertha don’t do this to me.” I smack the wheel when it begins to stop. Banging my head on it, I try to pull over as far as I can, but it’s no use, it stop at a red light in the middle of the street. Well at least I am in a town that is bustling with people and not stranded on the side of the road.

This day was starting off late, but it was still a good day. I woke up hopeful and full of excitement for the upcoming adventure but now, I don’t know what I am going to do. I get out of the car once the last bump happens and then it stops. Now I am looking around this busy place trying to figure out what to do next.

I take a second to look around me and then I see a coffee shop. “Thank goodness. I definitely need a nonfat fro-cap with a caramel drizzle,” I say to myself. Grabbing my purse out of the car and making sure the doors are locked; I start walking toward the shop. I don’t even care that I’m leaving Bertha out in the street right now. Still looking around Charleston, a mere twenty minutes from my destination, I still feel that tingle of giddiness. I am starting a new chapter in my life, and I just know it is going to be amazing. But first, I need coffee, and the number to a mechanic.

“Hi. Welcome to The Coffee Shop. What can I get you?” I gladly tell her my order and add a croissant to it since I forgot to eat this morning.

“Oh do you have a number for a mechanic?” I ask the barrister who is taking the money,

“Maybe. Whatcha looking for?” At the same time that she asks the question, I hear a deep voice to the left of me giving his order and it sends goosebumps down my arms. I am momentarily frozen in place as his voice washes over me. “Hun?” The girl at the register is looking at me like I am crazy. I feel it. What the heck is happening? Trying to gather myself, I swallow and hand her the money, smiling apologetically.

Stepping back to move out of the way I bump into a brick wall and turn to apologize when that voice once again stops me in my tracks. “Did I hear you say you need a mechanic?” Sweet Lord, his voice should be banned from daytime. It is seriously a nighttime in your dreams kind of voice.

“Y-yes. My car is stalled at the light outside.” He smirks.

“Ah. So you’re the one holding up traffic, huh?” Oh crap. Mortification takes seconds to overwhelm me, and I drop my head. Now all I want is to be swallowed up by the floor. “Hey. I was just joking.” He lifts my chin with his finger. “I didn’t mean that. Listen, let’s start over. My name is Boone. What’s yours?” He holds his hand out and I swallow when I place mine in his.

“July. My name is July.” Holy moly. Should my hand be heating up just from touching him?

“I didn’t know hands could be so soft,” he whispers. His thumb is rubbing the top of my hand back and forth and I want him to move it up my arm. I want to feel his incredibly strong fingers touching me but then the moment is broken.

“Order up for July.”

“Order up for Boone.” They call both of our names, and I swear he blushes just like me, before we turn from one another long enough to get our drinks.

“So,” he says, taking a sip. “Why don’t I help you move from in front of the light and then I will give you a lift to…”

“Hollow’s Hollow.” His eyes brighten.

“I live there myself.”

“Really?” I ask, suddenly very perky.

“Yes. Once we move your car, we can grab your stuff, head back, and I will send the tow to pick up your car. How does that sound?” My stomach is seriously doing jumping jacks. Like millions of tiny butterflies fluttering around. It is something I have never felt before. I am not inherently a brave person, but lately, starting with taking this job in a state and town where I know one, I am feeling braver. So, I smile at him and say one word.

“Perfect.” Just like you.