Only Yours

0.2

Tamina

The music is still audible in the background, but it's not blaring like it was when we were in the heart of the town. But rather than open space, rows of cars are parked along the road. I'm hasty in scanning each of them to see the one that belongs to Brandon.

We walk halfway down the row when I stop short, and Brandon makes sure to rest a hand on the roof of the vehicle to emphasise the point that we found his car.

It's stunning with its hot rod red paint job. The splitter, skirts, and diffuser are made of carbon, and so is the spoiler. Taking a slow walk to the rear, my head spins in delight. It even has dual exit exhausts.

Dad would love this.

"Do you like it?"

I shake my head, needing to do a full turnover of the exterior. "Like it?" I deadpan, unable to believe he thinks the word 'like' is even suitable. "This car is so cool! If my dad were here, he would be dribbling all over it!"

There's a distinct chuckle before a subtle click. "Is he a fan of cars?"

I climb in along with him and pull the door shut behind me to seal the warmth inside. The creamy leather seats are surprisingly soft, and I allow myself the opportunity to sink into them.

"Yes," I sigh, more relaxed than I was seconds ago. "Anything to do with cars, you can bet it will have his attention. He could talk for hours if you let him."

I giggle at the memory of him trying to teach me parts of cars, manufacturers. I was never smart when it came to them, but I'm thankful he was always patient to teach me the basics.

With a twist of the key, the engine starts with a purr. I watch in fascination as he reverses out of our tight spot with ease.

"What about your mother?" he finally asks once we're on the road.

A smile plasters itself across my face as I stare at the painted lines blurring beneath the car. "She loves her little garden," I start, recalling how she would kneel in the soil and hum away as she planted a new addition to her growing collection. "If you need advice on flowers, it will be her."

His head angles toward me. "I will keep that in mind."

Smiling, I risk a glance in my peripheral, and one thought crosses my mind.

There's no way a man like him could ever exist.

He's too polite, and he's interested in my parents—in me. After seeing him act this perfect, I want to know what his flaws are; I wouldn't be surprised if it were something silly like a hidden stash of sweets under his bed.

Jackson seemed perfect at first—not this perfect, but enough you wouldn't think twice about digging deeper. That only lasted for so long.

However, in this moment, my body grows warm and fuzzy, and I can finally understand what the women on the pages of my favourite novels are talking about. It's a nice but because of that, it's also a scary feeling.

Heat floods through the car with a gentle whoosh, and I sigh in content as I watch our scenery go by.

"Where are we going?" I murmur.

The road is bathed in a soft glow, and it almost turns hypnotic the longer I watch. It fills me with comfort, and my mind swirls with images of the various places he might be taking me to.

"You never cease to surprise me," he says instead, his free hand inching over to clasp mine.

I'm dumbfounded because I have no idea what I've done. But I can't help but soak up the appraisal. Waiting for a few seconds, I hand over the feeling. "I don't think I've done anything," I muse, and his eyes slide to mine.