“Fucking hell, you’re on the freeway?”
I can hear his car start.
“I was about to get off the freeway.”
“Okay, I’m on my way. Get in your car and lock the doors and I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay.” I nod, not even caring that he can’t see me. My hands are shaking with adrenaline. “Okay, I’m okay.”
“I’ll be right there. Do you want me to stay on the phone with you?”
“No, no. You should just drive.”
I climb back in the car and lock the doors.
“Hang in there, sweetheart. I’m coming.”
He hangs up and I start to cry. I’m not hurt, but holy shit, I was so scared. It happened so fast.
It could have been a lot worse.
Not wanting to entertain those thoughts, I wipe the tears from my face. Just then, there’s a knock on my window, making me scream.
“Sorry!” The man holds his hands up as if in surrender. “I just wanted to see if you need help.”
“My boyfriend is on his way,” I say, rolling the window down only about an inch so he can hear me.
“Did you blow the tire?”
“I think so.”
“I’m going to take a look.” He smiles reassuringly and walks around the front of the car. He seems normal enough. He’s wearing a white shirt with slacks and a tie. He’s probably on his way home from work.
He walks back to my window. “It’s blown, but the wheel is okay. If you have a spare, I’ll switch it out real quick and you’ll be good to go.”
“You really don’t have to,” I reply, but he just smiles.
“I promise, it’ll be okay.”
I wonder if Ted Bundy said that to his victims right before he killed them?
I pop the trunk and get out of my car as the stranger retrieves my spare.
“I’m Preston,” he says with a smile.
“Kat,” I reply. I stand at a safe distance while he works on the tire.
“What do you do, Kat?”
He seems to know what he’s doing with the tire, working quickly and efficiently.
“I own a wine bar,” I reply, not wanting to give him too much information. He’s a stranger, after all.
“Yeah? That’s cool. I know a guy who owns a wine business. You might know him.”
“I might,” I reply with a shrug. “It’s not a big community.”
He screws in the last lug nut and stands to put the tools back in my trunk, then pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe his hands off.
“Do you know Mac?”
What the hell?
I make sure not to show any emotion as I pretend to think it over. Preston hasn’t done anything wrong, but there’s something about him that I don’t trust. I can’t put my finger on it, but I learned long ago to trust my gut.
“I think that name is familiar.”
“I thought you’d know him. This should get you home.”
I glance back as I hear another car pull off the freeway, relieved to see Mac’s car.
“There’s Mac now,” I say, but Preston is already getting in his car and pulling away.
“Did you call someone else?” Mac asks as he joins me. “I told you I’d be right here.”
“I didn’t call him,” I reply, irritated at the tone of his voice. “He pulled over and offered to help.”
“You didn’t stay in your car.”
“No, because I’m a grown woman who’s capable of deciding when I do or don’t feel safe.”
“Come on,” he says, gesturing for me to get in his car.
“My car will drive me home just fine now.”
“You’re a wreck,” he says, pulling me in his arms now. “You’re shaking, and I think you’re in shock.”
“I can drive myself.”
He presses his nose close to mine and says sternly, “Get in the fucking car, please.”
“This is the bossy part I don’t like,” I inform him as I get in his car.
“I don’t care,” he replies, his voice too calm. “You’re not in any shape to drive. And I’m still pissed at you for getting out of that car.”
“He said he knew you,” I say. “He asked me what I do, and I said I own a bar, and he said he knew you. Called you by name.”
“Who was it?” he asks with a frown.
“Preston somebody.”
He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. “I don’t know a Preston.”
“Maybe he took your tour once.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know.” He exhales deeply and takes my hand in his. “You scared me.”
“I scared me,” I reply. “Why are we arguing?”
“Because we’re both high on adrenaline and fear,” he replies, and looks over at me with bright green eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Are you?”
“Working on it.”
Chapter Fourteen
~Mac~
I can’t believe I’m going to a baby shower. Since when are men invited to these things? I’m on my way to Cami’s place to meet Kat, who has been there since early this afternoon. Apparently, the guys are invited for dinner and cake.
And games. I don’t even want to know what kind of games they play at a baby shower.
Just as I turn toward Cami and Landon’s house, my phone rings. I frown at my dad’s name.