Chapter Nineteen

Boone

I watched Dolly park across the street, her little car fitting in perfectly among the Magnolia Grove storefronts. When she stepped out, I rolled down my window and leaned out. "Hey!" I called.

She flashed me that wide smile of hers, the one that always did things to my chest, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hey yourself," she laughed as she walked up to the window of my truck. "I thought we were getting a bagel."

I grinned and reached into the passenger seat and held up a brown paper bag. "Got you covered, honey. Hop in."

"Oh," she said with a chuckle. "Are we going on a field trip?"

"Just thought we could use a little more privacy," I said, nodding toward the open road ahead.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she rounded the front of the truck and climbed inside. I started the engine, pulled away from the curb, and headed toward the high school football stadium. We used to hang out there all the time back in the day, sneaking away to escape the world.

"Am I allowed to eat while you drive?" she asked, already eyeing the bag.

I handed it over with a shrug. "Pick whichever one you want, honey, or take half of each. I wasn't sure if you were feeling sweet or savory today."

She peeked inside and made a quick decision. "I think I'm going with sweet today." She pulled out her bagel, took a big whiff of it, and smiled. "I swear they must put crack in these things or something."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Lord, don't say that too loud, or you know it's going to be the next big scandal in town."

Her face fell for a split second, just long enough for me to notice, but then she laughed it off. "Yeah, you know how folks talk in Magnolia Grove." She took a bite and nodded toward the bag. "You want yours?"

I shook my head, keeping my eyes on the road. "I can wait until we get where we're headed."

She chewed thoughtfully for a moment, then glanced out the window. "And just where are we going, Boone?"

I shot her a teasing grin. "Someplace you know."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Someplace we can talk?" she asked, her tone playful but with an edge of seriousness.

"We can talk, or do whatever," I replied with a wink.

She smiled wider, satisfied with the answer. "Good."

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel and glanced over at her. "Did you get your English paper done?"

She groaned but laughed. "Thankfully, yes. But I can tell you Nash and I are definitely not fans of Shakespeare."

"Oh, come on, it's not that bad," I teased.

Before she could respond, her phone rang. She pulled it out, her brow furrowing as she glanced at the screen. "Seth?" she said as she answered the call. Her expression shifted as she listened, and I could tell something wasn't right. "Oh no."

I slowed the truck and pulled over to the side of the road and sensed that our little adventure was about to be cut short.

"No, no, don't be sorry," she said into the phone, her voice soothing. She glanced over at me with an apologetic look, confirming my suspicion. "Just lock the door and head home. I'll be there in five minutes."

She put her bagel back in the bag as she listened to Seth on the other end. "Just go home and try to get better. Call me later if you need anything." She ended the call and let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping.

"Trouble at work?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She nodded, a little frown pulling at her lips. "Yeah, Seth's sick, and Marvin isn't scheduled to come in until two. I need to get over there and cover." She looked at me with genuine regret. "I'm so sorry, Boone."

Without thinking, I leaned over the center console, and my hand gently cupped her cheek as I pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Don't even worry about it, honey. You can make it up to me later."

Her eyes softened, and she smiled as her hand cradled my cheek in return. "I like the sound of that."

I leaned in for one more kiss, lingering just a second longer this time before pulling back and settling into my seat. I started the truck again and turned it around to head back toward where we'd parked.

As we neared her car, she called out, "Hey, where were we headed?"

I glanced over at her, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Bleachers."

She threw her head back and laughed. "Are you planning on touring all the places we used to sneak away and make out at?"

I shrugged, pulled up behind her car, and put the truck in park. "I mean, can you blame me?"

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "You're shameless, Boone West."

"Only when it comes to you, Dolly Hanes," I whispered against her lips, feeling her smile widen against mine.

"I'll call you later, yeah?"

I nodded. "You better, honey."