Inevitable Detour (Inevitability Book 1)(20)

“There aren’t a lot of options here,” he says as I nudge in next to him.

“That’s fine,” I reply. I peruse the menu board. “I’ll think I’ll go with the number-three combo.”

“Burgers and fries it is,” Farren says. “I was thinking the same thing.”

I glance around and spot a small drugstore a few doors down from the burger joint. It gives me an idea.

“Maybe I should grab us two bottled pops instead of us buying drinks with our meals.” I point toward the drugstore. “I’m sure they sell refrigerated pop in there. And this way we can save the bottles and refill them with water at our next stop.”

“Great idea,” Farren replies. “Plastic bottles will hold up better than paper cups.” He reaches for his wallet to give me money, but I stop him.

“I think I can handle it,” I say playfully, echoing the words he said to me when I told him I’d pay him back if expenses got out of hand.

He laughs and says, “Touché, Essa, touché.”

We meet back up at the car ten minutes later. Well, actually I have to wait a few minutes for Farren. My stop at the drugstore was quick, so I made it out faster. It’s a nice evening—we left the rain behind long ago—so when Farren walks up with the food, I suggest we eat at a picnic table in a nearby grassy spot.

Minutes later, in the middle of eating and enjoying our fast-food meals, I notice a small brown bag on the bench next to Farren. “What’d you buy?” I ask.

“A couple of things,” he says. He pops a french fry in his mouth and pulls two prepackaged cell phones from the bag. Handing one to me, he says, “Burner phones. I bought one for each of us.”

“Thanks,” I murmur. I turn the very basic, bare-bones phone over in my hands. “I think.”

“Only use it if there’s an emergency,” Farren continues. “Like”—his eyes hold mine when I look up—“if we were to get separated for some reason.”

I shudder. We are only two states away from Pennsylvania, but already I am fully aware of how huge this country really is. I hate to admit it, but I’d be lost without Farren. Like, literally. He doesn’t need GPS, and he barely looks at the maps I noticed on the backseat. In fact, when I asked about the GPS in the car, he told me he disabled it. Like with my cell phone, he doesn’t want us being tracked.

So, yeah, if I were to get separated from Farren, even without the threat of danger, things would get pretty damn scary real fast. But to find myself on my own, with the possibility of encountering Eric—or Vincent, who drugged me—I’m certain I’d die on the spot from fear alone.

As I take the burner phone out of its packaging, I assure Farren, “I think I’ll pretty much be staying by your side throughout this entire trip.”

There’s not an ounce of humor in his voice when he responds with, “That would be wise.”

We resume eating our burgers and fries, and I find myself assessing my travel partner. His tall height and muscular body make me feel secure. Plus, I’m well-aware he knows how to take care of not only himself, but me, as well. As long as I remain close to him, nothing bad will happen. Farren will protect me. Hell, he could probably protect ten of me if he had to.

I exhale a relieved sigh, content that—for now—I am in no danger.

“What else is in the bag?” I ask. I nod to the bag the phones were in. It’s clear it’s not empty.

“Oh,” Farren replies, all nonchalant. “I bought you something else.”

Whatever it is, it’s making him smile. And a Farren Shaw smile is priceless. His green eyes soften. Wow, it warms me to see that whatever he has bought me, giving it to me is making him happy.

Invisible strings tug at my heart. I like Farren Shaw as a person and as a man. I like him beyond his great looks and his kick-ass bod. He really is becoming my friend.

But, boy, if my heartstrings were being tugged before, they pull with abandon when he hands me the gift he’s bought for me.

“It’s a disposable camera,” I say, staring down at the plastic camera in awe. It’s not the camera itself I’m all worked up about. It’s the fact Farren was thoughtful enough to pick one up for me.

“It’s not much, I know.” He shrugs one shoulder, like he’s not sure I like his thoughtful gift.

But he needn’t worry. “I love it,” I say, backing my words up with a huge grin.

The smile he gives me in return, frankly, blows me away, even more so than the other times. God, he is stunning.

“I figured you might want to take some pictures of all the scenery you’ve been enjoying so much. You said when we saw the sunset earlier this evening that you wished you had a camera. And since you don’t have your phone…” He trails off.

I sense that for all Farren’s confidence and swagger, he’s unsure in areas of the heart. So, after thanking him again, I say, “This is a great gift, Farren. Really, it is. I can’t wait to start taking pictures with it.”

Unfortunately, since it’s almost dark, I have to tuck the camera in my purse for now.

“Picture taking shall commence tomorrow,” I say playfully, patting the side of my bag.

Farren laughs, and then we clean up our bags and fast-food wrappers. We gas up before we leave the rest stop. And then we are once again on our way.