The rain outside was getting heavier, the sky growing darker and more oppressive by the minute. Aurora felt a knot of unease twist in her stomach.

Stuck in the middle of nowhere, far from anything resembling civilization, she realized that if something happened to her, there wouldn't be a soul around to know, let alone help.

She hovered her finger over her brother's number, debating whether to call him for help, when suddenly a pair of headlights appeared up ahead, coming from the opposite direction.

On a normal day, one passing car wouldn't mean much. But out here, in this downpour, it could only mean one thing: someone had come to help fix her car.

She'd been stranded here for what felt like hours, and not a single car had driven by until now.

Aurora squinted through the windshield, trying to make out who it was. As she watched, the car slowed, turned around, and pulled up right next to hers.

Before she could even feel relieved, Craig's face suddenly appeared at her window, making her jump.

Seriously? She thought he said he'd send someone, not come himself.

Aurora instinctively reached for the door handle, but before she could open it, she realized Craig was leaning against it from the outside.

A moment later, she heard the trunk pop open, and Craig's voice called out from behind her, muffled by the rain.

"Stay in the car-it's pouring. No need to get soaked."

"You came by yourself?" Aurora glanced at his pickup truck. No sign of a second person.

"Yeah."

can handle it alone? Let me help. I can at least hold the umbrella

no interest in spending more time with Craig than necessary. They'd barely been more than acquaintances before, and she'd

got it," Craig's tone was curt, just as she remembered from before-never one for explanations, and if you pushed, his patience wore thin

fast.

shrugged. Fine. Let him do his thing. It's not like

way around cars-he'd driven big rigs for years, and changing a tire was second nature to

to her phone, texting with the gallery crew about the upcoming

her phone

I'll send you some photos in a bit-take a look, and if you're cool

them over and

where are you? It's absolutely

Quentin sounded genuinely

He might be a

than

studio, he'd always looked out for her.

don't ask. Had a flat, but I'm getting the spare on

someone to come help? I can drive out there if you need—seriously, it's

glanced in

at Craig, who was

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255