How (Not) to Fall in Love(11)

Charlie laughed. “This is one day I’m glad she’s short-staffed.” He smiled at me. “I’ll introduce you to her, Darcy, but I’m not done talking to you yet.”

I held the cup to my nose and sniffed. “Hazelnut coffee?” I glanced at Lucas.

“Her call, not mine,” he said. “I would’ve guessed something more complicated for you. Lots of half-caf, low-fat, double sprinkles, stuff like that.”

His eyes sparked with laughter, but I wasn’t amused. “You think I’m high-maintenance?”

He lifted a shoulder. I narrowed my eyes. Just because he’d picked me up in my stupid country club house didn’t mean he could make assumptions.

“I would’ve ordered black coffee,” I lied. He didn’t need to know about my strawberries and creme Frappucino obsession. With double sprinkles.

Charlie pointed to his ancient coffee pot. “I have plenty of that.”

“Um.” I bit my lip and turned away from Lucas’s smirk. “I’m okay with water. And hazelnut.”

Lucas laughed next to me as Toby pinned him with his dog version of a Jedi mind-control stare, willing Lucas to pet him. Lucas caved instantly, leaning over to rub his ears, and then raised his eyes to mine.

“What are you drinking?” I asked accusingly.

“Cappuccino. Double shot. Extra dry.”

“And you called me high-maintenance?” I never sparred like this with guys, but Lucas pushed my buttons. And I had a feeling he enjoyed doing it.

He grinned and shrugged.

Charlie chuckled from the other side of the counter. “All right, you two, settle down.” He glanced at Lucas. “Darcy needs our help, Lucas.” His words surprised me, and Lucas, too, judging by the expression on his face.

Lucas spun his stool so he faced me. “Do you need something fixed?” He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “I’m guessing you’re not here to shop for clothes.”

“Lucas.” Charlie’s “stern warning” voice sounded like every teacher I’ve ever known.

Lucas shrugged, a smile playing at his distracting lips. “I’m just sayin’…”

Just saying what? What did he know about me or my falling-apart life?

“Look,” I said, sighing in frustration, “whatever you think about me, I need some money and I need it fast. This is all I’ve got.” I lifted the lid off the hatbox and slid it toward him. “Can you help me?”

His eyes locked on mine briefly, no longer mocking, then he broke the connection to peer into the box. He whistled and glanced at me. “Nice bling. You sure you want to get rid of it?”

I stared at him, trying not to be distracted by his hypnotic eyes and smoky voice. “I don’t have much choice,” I said.

“Her car was repossessed,” Charlie said. “She needs to come up with a lot of money. Fast. What do you think, Lucas? eBay?”

Lucas stared at me, obviously shocked. “Repo’d?” He turned to Charlie and they exchanged a meaningful look. I wondered how much Charlie had told him about my AWOL dad.

“Yeah,” I said. “My dad is the loser on Letterman and my family is going broke and falling apart and I just want to get my car back.”

“Letterman?” Lucas frowned. So I’d found the one person in town who hadn’t seen it.

“Never mind,” I said, fiddling with my napkin.

Lucas spun his stool so he faced Charlie. “eBay will take too long,” he said, “and you have to be eighteen to pawn it.” He glanced at me. “Are you?”

I shook my head. My eighteenth birthday was six months away. My earlier frustration washed away as I sat there watching him. Of course he thought I was a high-maintenance rich girl. What else would he think after being sent to rescue me from my castle like I was a special princess?

And he was right about me not shopping here. Yeah I wore jeans, but they weren’t from Wal-Mart. And I’d just showed him a box full of expensive jewelry.

While Lucas pondered my problem, I rested my chin in my hands, staring at my reflection in the mirror behind Charlie’s counter. Even though middle-aged cougars thought my dad was hot and my mom had been the queen of every school dance, I’d just ended up average. Highlights from Mom’s salon didn’t help my boring brown hair, and I was stuck with my too small nose and too wide mouth. I could be a Picasso model.

Lucas finally spoke. “My cousin had his car repo’d once. He was able to negotiate with the bank. Have you talked to anyone at your bank?”

I felt like he’d ripped off a huge scab, exposing a gaping wound. What was I doing here, asking two people I hardly knew for help? I suddenly felt raw and drained. I needed to leave.

Charlie must’ve sensed this, because he moved quickly around the counter. “Let’s go say hi to Liz, then I’ll take you home.”

“But I thought you had boxes to unpack,” I said, confused.

“I can drive her home,” Lucas said.

Charlie shot Lucas a cryptic look and shook his head. “You stay here. I’ll take Liz’s car.”

“Whatever you say, boss.” Lucas crossed his arms over his chest, watching me with an unreadable expression. He was probably relieved his chauffeur duty was over.

Toby jumped up, sensing something was happening. Lucas leaned over to pet him again and I caught a glimpse of a tattoo peeking out from under his shirt sleeve. I couldn’t tell what it was, so I turned away before he caught me ogling him.