Blind Love by Kishan Paul

were approaching an intersection when he pulled up. He rolled down the passenger window and put on his cheeriest voice. “Hey there.”
    She paused and smiled. “Gabe?”
    A car stopped behind him. He waved it along. “Yup. Need a ride?”
    “No, we’re fine. It’s not far.”
    He bit back his irritation and gripped the steering wheel. She was the most stubborn woman he’d ever met. “I don’t mind.”
    She tilted her head as if considering her options while he considered picking her up and throwing her ass in the truck.
    “And Jack?” She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her brows. “I’m not putting him in the bed, it’s not safe.”
    He struggled to keep his calm. Arguing how the back of his pickup was less hazardous to the animal’s health than walking through the overpass during rush-hour traffic probably wasn’t a good idea. “There’s a second row. He’ll be fine.”
    A semi whizzed past, blowing its horn, scaring the hell out of him and, from the way Lauren jumped, her too. She and the dog were inside seconds later.
    Gabe locked the doors before she reconsidered. When he leaned across to buckle her in, the mix of citrus and vanilla filled his lungs. He eyed her pink-stained lips, wondering if they still tasted of peppermint.
    “You followed me from the house.”
    He clicked her latch into place. “I did,” he admitted, pulling away from the curb and onto the road.
    “And you waited until now to offer me a ride?”
    Her probing eyes burned into him, waiting for answers. Funny considering all she could probably see was the color of his shirt. “Wasn’t sure if you’d say yes. Where am I going, by the way?”
    “Take a left at the next light. We need to go past the interstate. So what made you finally ask?”
    “Not sure,” he said, omitting the images of her broken body being tenderized by eighteen-wheelers flashing in his head. “I still have no clue where we’re going.”
    “Turn right at the second signal after the highway, and Heritage Oaks Assisted Living Center will be on the left.”
    “You really are a cat,” he said, in awe of her sense of direction.
    She shrugged. “Because I can’t see doesn’t mean I’m going to sit around being helpless.”
    “I’m pretty confident no one considers you helpless.”
    She stared out the window and didn’t respond. He searched for another topic to cut the tension. “Are you volunteering at the place?”
    “No, spending time with a friend.”
    “The old lady whose house I bought?”
    She relaxed and smiled at him. “Mrs. Rourke. I talked her into going there and she’s pretty lonely. Turns out the first Friday of every month at five is social night at the Center. Since she didn’t go to the last one, I want to make sure she goes tonight. It’ll be good for her to meet the neighbors.”
    “She’s lucky to have you.”
    Lauren didn’t respond. This time he let the silence sit between them. Just having her beside him was enough.
    Their trip ended way too fast. Gabe pulled up to the bricked high-rise and parked. “Does she know you’re coming?”
    “She will in five minutes.” She climbed out, her dog right behind her. When she shut the door and leaned her head into the open window, he thought of ways to say goodbye. Before he found the words, she flashed him a smile, which of course made him forget she was trouble.
    “Thanks for the ride.”
    “What time should I pick you up?”
    While she laughed, he tried to memorize the dimples, creases, and the sound.
    “You won’t. I’ll call a cab.”
    “You tried a little while ago. It didn’t go so well and it’ll be dark soon.”
    She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off. “Here, give me your cell.” When she handed it to him, he punched his number in and stored it for her. “I’ll be around. Call me when you need a ride.”
    From the way her eyes squinted, it was obvious her brain was finding a way to say no. He drove away before she had the chance.
    The