Return to Love by Lynn Hubbard Page A

turned to sleet. Joanie ducked her face deeper into her coat to avoid the tiny spears of ice hitting her face.
    “This is horrible! Gosh it’s freezing out here! Maybe we should have taken Jane’s dad up on his offer to drive us home.”
    Joanie shook her head no. “Uh uh, with our luck he’d ask us why Sally was passed out on the living room floor.”
    Kate turned back to smile at her friend, and her smile broadened as she spotted a familiar car slowing down besides them. “Maybe our luck is changing.”
    Joanie heard the car and turned to stare in surprise as Eric pulled up alongside of them. She felt her icy cheeks began to thaw and was grateful that the redness would be mistaken for wind burn instead of her blushing. He leaned over and rolled down the window. “You icicles want a lift?”
    Joanie didn’t have time to answer before Kate yanked open the door and pushed Joanie through the opening where she almost landed in Eric’s lap head first. She sprung up quickly and sent Kate a piercing look. Kate looked at her innocently as she scooted into the front seat next to her shoving Joanie over so that her and Eric’s legs were touching. She felt electricity jolt through her body and pinned it up to numbness setting in and not the contact. She looked at Eric and forced herself to calm down.
    “So where are you heading?” Eric asked. He turned a little bit sideways and had his elbow resting on the back seat gently pressing against Joanie's shoulder. If it was on purpose or not Joanie couldn’t tell.
    “Home.” Joanie chattered.
    Eric reached out and grabbed her hands. He sandwiched them between his two huge, warm ones, and Joanie blushed even more. She knew that was no accident. Joanie felt herself heating up quickly, and she knew it wasn’t from the warm car. “Better?” He asked her, and all she could do was nod. He gave her a breathtaking smile and turned to shift the car into gear. Kate elbowed her in the ribs and Joanie refused to look at her knowing the smirk that she would find.
    Joanie lost track of time as they drove. She almost sighed in disappointment as they pulled up in front of Kate's house. Kate hopped out quickly and grabbed her bag. She gave Joanie a ‘you better call me or else look’ before she thanked Eric and ran to the house. With Kate gone, Joanie was more nervous than ever. She self consciously scooted over a little towards where Kate had sat. She was surprised at the coldness that seeped into her left side where her and Eric’s bodies were touching.
    Eric looked over and grinned at her as if reading her thoughts. “Cold isn’t it?”
    “It sure is. I wasn’t expecting this weather.” She said nodding down to her thin jacket.
    Eric leaned forward and started taking off his leather jacket. “Here put this on.” He said holding it up for her to wear.
    Joanie hesitated. “But you’ll be cold.”
    Eric smiled. “Then you can scoot over next to me and keep me warm.”
    Joanie was about to refuse and then thought of April’s words about her being a prude. She smiled shyly as he helped her into the jacket. It felt like she was in an oven his body heat had warmed it up and the leather held in the heat. She refused to look at him as she slid back over next to him.
    “Better?” He asked as he headed back onto the road to take Joanie home.
    “Much better.” She was shocked when after shifting into drive; he let his hand rest on her knee. Taken by surprise, she pushed it off nervously. He glanced over at her, but feeling uncomfortable she refused to meet his gaze. They were soon in front of Joanie’s house, and she was surprised when he pulled into a parking space instead of just pulling up and dropping her off at the curb. She started taking off the jacket, but he stopped her.
    “How about I walk you to the door? I don’t want you freezing to death on me.” Eric said hopefully.
    Joanie smiled and nodded. They both opened their doors and ran for her apartment doorway.