The drive home provided opportunity to think. The headlights behind provided a sense of false security. Any decision not to become involved with him at this point was posthumous. And yet, despite her feelings, any relationship with him was potentially dangerous. It wasn't a relationship she had planned or wanted - until now. Now she wanted it more than life itself. That could be a reality. Whether he had arranged things to work out this way or not, her resources had been cut seriously.
Howard had been alienated, and trusting anything with Connie was dubious. Len was the only one left she could trust, and she couldn't tell him anything without implicating Yancey. It was up to her now. She had to get into that building and find out if there was any chance of a relationship with Yancey.
Only weeks remained until college started. She needed to get enrolled, but she had done nothing. After all she had been through, journalism looked less attractive. And yet, it had been her goal for over three years. Dropping it now would be like losing another friend. Writing was her first choice, but everyone knew you couldn't make a living writing books. She felt suddenly lost.
The line down the highway blurred for a second and she realized she had nearly fallen asleep. Pulling into a well lit empty parking lot, she parked the car to the side. Yancey pulled up beside her and waited while she got out of the car and locked the door. He pushed the passenger's side door open and she leaned down to look at him.
"Sleepy?"
"Yes. Can you bring me down here tomorrow to get my car?"
"Sure. Hop in."
He waited while she buckled her seat belt and stashed her things. Then he pulled back out onto the road. She sank into the luxurious seat, enjoying the smooth ride and the smell of leather. "I love this car."
"Me too."
Sleep came slowly, but waking up was instant. Yancey's face was over hers. "Do you want me to carry you inside?"
The idea was so romantically ludicrous that she giggled. "You'll strain your back." She shifted in the seat. "I don't know why I'm so tired."
His chuckle was soft. "I don't either. You've only been strangled nearly to death and gone through a terrible scare."
The silence was uncomfortable until he leaned down to kiss her. The moment his lips touched hers, she was wide awake. Her pulse pounded like a drum in her ears. She leaned into his kiss, completely surrendering to the arms that surrounded her. A microscopic voice inside warned her to stop, but desire put uncontrolled passion into her response. Fortunately, a cool console managed to keep them in separate seats. When he finally broke away, the words escaped her mouth.