Chapter 134

• Howard shifted in the driver's seat, rain drumming harder on the roof as wipers slashed back and forth. His dark eyes flicked to Charlotte's stunned face, a teasing glint breaking through his usual reserve. "You worry about other people more than yourself," he said, voice raised just enough over the storm. "Are you going to get in, or keep staring at me with that open mouth? Rain's picking up."
• Charlotte clamped her mouth shut, cheeks warming despite the chill. She tossed her dripping bag to the floorboard and slid inside, yanking the door closed with a solid thunk. Water puddled at her feet as she shrugged off her coat.
• He twisted the key; the engine growled alive, headlights piercing the sheets of rain. Charlotte brushed wet strands from her forehead. "You didn't need to come out in this downpour. I texted you—I'm going to my parents'."