Luke Logan

Chapter 5

How does this keep happening? What is with this guy? Why does he have this effect on me? How does he have so much power over me? The disturbing thing is that it’s not even him, I’m already hyperventilating just from the sound of his voice. He’s everywhere lately. 

 “You can never go wrong with brownies” It spoke again.

That smooth, deep ,melody best described as his voice is  sending electric shivers down my spine and then throughout my body. I can feel the hair on the back of my neck standing at attention. Upright, tough and rigid, as if waiting for him to caress them into a state of relaxation.

Before I knew it the word “Ha” had flown out of my mouth 

“Ok”, was all I could say as my feeble attempt to ease the tension and awkwardness between us. I couldn’t bring myself to turn around. I can’t get sucked into those eyes again.  

I need to get out of here. I don’t know what voodoo he is working, but I need to get as far away from him as possible. Of all days… I have enough on my plate, I can’t deal with whatever is happening here. Not today. I can’t let him mess up my perfect plan. I am looking stunning, have dessert as promised and am early… this is my white unicorn moment with my mom and I need to claim it. It will all be worth it when I show up early and she is unable to find fault… unable to find anything that can remind me of all my inequities.

Thank goodness, it was my turn to pay. “See you around”  Was all I could I master

“You too” he replied.

I could not get out of there fast enough. 

I stole a peak at him as I walked out. WOW! That really is one handsome man.  Infuriating, yes,  but damn hot none the less. WTF is happening? Really, WTF is happening to me? He is the enemy!

Seriously, he tried to show me up. He is the definition of everything I have had to fight against since starting my career… Egotistical, chauvinistic men who believe that women are inferior, not as smart and have no place “tinkering” with computers and everything they represent.

He is rude.

He is arrogant.

In short, he is an ass!

Shake it off girl, you have a dinner to be early for, and with mom’s antics, you need to bring your A game. Is what I keep telling myself, trying to get into the right frame of mind for the torture that I need to survive next… Mom’s little “Look who decided to join us for dinner” charade.

In typical Alexandra fashion, I did not bring an umbrella and had  to run though the rain to make it to my car. Good Ol Bessie, she is not much, but damn I love her, she has never let me down. She is the first car I bought. I saved up for a year to buy her. Sure I’m making more money now, but I could never bring myself to sell Bessie.

I can’t believe this! My Bessie won’t start. I was doing so well. I can’t be late for this thing, I can already hear my mom and her incessant snipes and speeches.   

I call AAA and they can only get here in 3 hours. Who cares about all the other people stuck in this rain? You see, this is what one gets for being early. I am definitely not trying this ever again. What was I thinking… trying to change things up? I’ve made it this far.

I found myself standing in the rain and looking under the hood, as if I knew  what I was doing. The people in the movies do it all the time. There must be something I can jiggle or pinch that will make this all better, something to bring my Bessie back to life

Nothing was sticking out… nothing leaking or poking out ... It all looked the same..  It all looked the same in that nothing looked different or glaringly out of place in the metallic and unfamiliar sea of components that was staring back at me under the hood.

“Need any help” I heard a voice say behind me

The words; “No, I just enjoy standing in the rain fiddling with my engine” came soaring out of my mouth before I could stop them. 

I turned around, and it was him again.

For the first time I think I was actually happy to see him. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Was all I could say as my  lame attempt to pry my great big foot out of my mouth.

“it’s ok, maybe I can help. What’s wrong?”          he asked, leaning in to take a closer look. He was close enough for me to smell his cologne and spot what appeared to be a look of genuine concern on his face.

“It won’t start.” I replied, trying to keep my cool and working really hard watch my mouth and put a filter on my mouth.

“I’m not much of a mechanic, but I’m sure we can get someone out to have a look for you shortly” he said, I swear he might as well have been singing to me with that deep, smooth hypnotic voice.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried that already? 3 hours, that’s how long it will take AAA to get here.” I guess curtness and rudeness are my moth’s automatic defenses to him.

“I’m sorry. I just really have somewhere to get to in the next 30 minutes.” I said trying to make up for my perpetual rudeness. 

“I can drop you off if you like, we’ll make a plan about your car later” He practically sang

“Really, that would be great. Thank you.” I replied. Pretty much the only normal words I’ve said to him since I met him

“Sure follow me.”  He said as he walked away from me.

“You’re not going to kidnap me or anything right?” I asked, again not in control of my mouth.

“Not unless you want me to” he said with a beaming and mischievous smile on his face.

“You better not try anything, I am a black belt” I threatened, internally trying to summon the no nonsense warrior princess in me.

He smiled again and let out a little chuckle.