Page 100 of The Fast Lane

I sniffled. “Sorry. I think this entire road trip has flipped me upside down.”

“That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes when we get flipped upside down, we start to see things for how they really are.” He pressed his forehead to mine.

“Like you? Not that I didn’t know you. I don’t know all of you.”

He kissed the tip of my nose. “I don’t want to screw this up.”

“What does that mean?”

His gaze turned thoughtful. “Maybe we take our time. I’m not going anywhere and you’re not going anywhere.”

“You promise?” My voice cracked. “Are you sure you want to see where this might go?”

“I know where I want it to go.” His eyes locked on mine and my heart flipped right there in my chest. And something else happened at that moment.

I fell all the way, one hundred percent in love with Theo Goodnight.

FORTY-TWO

Note to self:

Make reading a daily habit.

Mae: Question.

Me: Yes.

Mae: Would you rather have a fundraiser in September or October?

Me: For what?

Mae: Campaign funds. You’ll need a little money for expenses. We’re thinking of a nice luncheon. We’ll charge per head.

Ellie: I’ll do all the cooking. I was thinking chicken-fried steak with a side of mashed potatoes, sweet peas.

Ellie: I’ll make my rolls. You know how good my rolls are.

Ellie: They bring all the boys to the yard.

Me: I am not running for mayor.

Ellie: And pie. Lots of pie. So much pie.

Me: Stop talking about food. I’m hungry now.

Mae: I think we have Peter in a real panic. Someone leaked his plan for Legacy Park and the good people of Two Harts are not happy about it.

Me: Really?

Mae: Yup. You’re going to kick his ass based on that alone.

Ellie: You totally are. Everyone’s wearing the t-shirts we made, too. I’m wearing mine right now. Look, here’s a picture.

A selfie of Ellie popped up, half her face cut off to showcase the shirt she was wearing.

Me: Is that my face on that shirt?!

Ellie: You like it?