All Wrapped Up by Jennifer Drew

Author:Jennifer Drew
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

9

NICK HELD THE DOOR for her, and Liv got into his surprisingly practical small SUV, not at all like the snazzy vintage Mustang he’d been so proud to drive in college.

“What happened to your Mustang convertible?” she asked.

“I needed something more reliable.” He didn’t sound happy about it. “Besides, it would’ve been a crime to bring that little beauty back to salty roads after I had her completely restored. She’s better off in California.”

“It’s better off in California,” Liv said.

It was an old disagreement. She thought it was silly to assign gender to inanimate objects. Nick insisted on personifying his vehicles.

“I was better off in California,” he said, sounding a little regretful, “but my job there didn’t have any future.”

Liv buckled her seat belt and was pleased to see Nick did too. He’d been pretty reckless when they were together.

“I know why you’re doing this,” she said.

If they were going to have a big fight, she might as well start it close to home in case she wanted to walk back.

“You only think you do,” he said.

“You want more help with Matilda Merris,” she said. “You think you can persuade me by being nice.”

“Can I?” He sounded indifferent.

“No, but you’re welcome to try.”

“You called Matilda for me, and she said no. There are other stories.” He shrugged as much as he could while driving.

Nick giving up on a story? She wasn’t convinced, but she was curious. If she didn’t know better, she might think this was a date.

“How’s your sister taking the divorce?” he asked after a long silence. “I cleverly deduced that the second cup on the table was hers. Pink lipstick.”

She was beginning to be sorry she’d accepted his offer. She wasn’t spontaneous, and Saturday was a badly needed catch-up day. She’d planned to do a dozen little chores, not to mention find a caterer for Brandi Jo’s luncheon. It didn’t usually bother her to see people get ahead in the profession. Brandi Jo was an exception. A big exception.

“Yes, Amy came over this morning. Mostly she’s worried about her wedding. Mom’s been too busy to help, so she’s panicking. But she’ll be fine eventually.”

“Will you?” He surprised her by sounding as if he really cared.

Did Nick feel sorry for her? Was he taking a poor lonely girl on an outing to cheer her up? She’d rather be tricked into a surprise visit to Matilda than have him treat her as a charity case.

“I’m fine,” she said. “My parents are capable of doing what’s best for them. I have my own life.”

Did she sound too defensive? Did it matter what Nick thought? Was he trying to pay her back for her sympathy during his parents’ divorce problems? She hated the idea that he might feel he owed her something.

He turned on the wipers because snowflakes were melting on the windshield. For a minute she hadn’t been paying attention to anything outside the car.

“I have to cover a hockey game tonight,” Nick said, “but we have the whole afternoon to shop.

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