Chapter 159
The car was so quiet, Mamie could hear both their breaths. After awkwardly giving Scott her address, she curled up against the car door, practically glued to the window, eyes fixed on the blur of streetlights and buildings rushing past.
“Is the temperature alright?” Scott’s voice broke the silence. He looked over at her, gentle, but his sudden attention made Mamie jump.
“Oh, it’s fine,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile before turning back to the window.
Scott’s eyes narrowed a little, then softened. A hint of a smile played on his lips. “Does your neck hurt p>
Mamie blinked, confused. She turned her head, clutching her phone a little tighter. “What p>
He spoke slowly, every word measured. “You’ve been staring out the window this whole time. Doesn’t your neck get sore p>
She didn’t know what to say to that. Scott continued, “Mamie, you seem a little nervous riding in my car p>
He gave her a reassuring look. “Relax. I’m not going to bite p>
Even though his tone was calm, Scott had this pressure about him, something almost intimidating that Mamie couldn’t shake. She couldn’t help remembering that time at the hotel, when she’d spilled her drink on his shirt. The way he spoke—part teasing, mostly serious-made her want to keep her distance.
Mamie swallowed. “I’m not nervous. I just… didn’t sleep much last night p>
Scott only hummed in response, not bothering to figure out if she was telling the truth.
Mamie spotted the subway entrance coming up and pointed. “You can drop me off here p>
Scott glanced over but kept driving, not even slowing down. “I’ll take you home. I’m in no hurry p>
Mamie made a face. That wasn’t what he’d said earlier, but she let it go. The rest of the ride was silent, and honestly, she was relieved Scott wasn’t the chatty type. It saved her from having to make small talk.
When they finally pulled up to her building, Mamie smiled politely. “Thanks for today. I’ll treat you and Garth to dinner sometime p>
She thought it was just a polite thing to say, but Scott surprised her. “When’s ‘next time p>
Mamie had just started to unbuckle her seatbelt and paused, caught off guard. “Sorry p>
Scott pulled out his phone, unlocking it with a swipe. His eyes were warm but steady. “Let’s exchange contacts. That way we can set up dinner. I’ll handle the details p>
added his contact his profile photo, was the ocean, though she couldn’t teffif it was from a trip or just something he found online.
“I’m heading in,” she said.
Scott just nodded, and as soon as she was out, he pulled away.
When Mamie walked through the front door, Claire greeted her with a playful scold. “You didn’t tell us you weren’t coming home last night Your phone was off too. If Addison hadn’t said you were with her would’ve thought something happened p>
Mamie pressed her lips together, about to explain, when Addison came in, the housekeeper opening the door for her.
“Josh, Claire, Mamie. I said I’d pick you up from work, but you beat me home Addison said with a grim. She handed Claffe a shopping bag. “I saw this on my last business trip and thought it’d be perfect for you p>
She turned to Josh with a box in hand. “And I got you some new tea. Had a friend
pick it up p>