Chapter 12
Vance Martinez suddenly remembered something. “We never swapped contact info yet.” He pulled out his phone, pulled up WhatsApp, and held the screen out to me with his profile QR code. “Hit me up when you’ve got some free time.”
His smile was open and genuine, and it pulled a small soft one from me in return. “I promised my grandma I’d come visit. I don’t break my promises.”
“I know you don’t,” Vance answered. “I’m just grateful you’re taking time out of your day to sit with her. The least I can do is be the best damn chauffeur on the planet and not take your kindness for granted.”
His words laid his gratitude—and exactly why he wanted to swap numbers—right out on the table. What got to me most was how unshakably he trusted me, and it warmed me straight through to my chest. After a second of hesitation, I pulled out my own phone, scanned his code, and added him to my contacts.
To my surprise, he added, “Could you shoot me your cell number too? Just in case the WhatsApp messages don’t go through?”
I couldn’t help but wonder if he had an ulterior motive here. But with how calm and steady he was, it was impossible to peg him as someone hiding messy intentions. I sighed soft and gave it to him.
Vance dialed my number right away to make sure it worked, and hung up the second my phone buzzed in my hand. “That’s me,” he said. “Save it.”
Under his watchful gaze, I tapped save. “Anything else, Mr. Martinez?”
I still couldn’t wrap my head around what he really wanted, but something in my gut told me keeping my distance was the smart move. Vance was sharp—of course he noticed I was holding back.
“Don’t you know exactly what I want?” His gaze didn’t waver, a little glint of curious heat sparking in his dark eyes. “My grandma told me if I want to win a woman over, I just have to be sincere, humble, take the lead, and keep it steady. The rest works itself out over time. Haven’t you seen me trying?”
How blunt he was caught me completely off guard. I had no clue how to respond.
“Mr. Martinez, what’s all this even about?” I asked, dodging the question. I wasn’t ready to think about a new relationship, so I played dumb.
Besides, Vance and I were barely even acquaintances.
“You’ve definitely noticed how much my grandma adores you,” Vance said, his gaze still steady, his eyes heavy with unspoken meaning. “But more than that? I like you. A lot.”
He was so straightforward there was no room for pretending we weren’t on the same page. Our eyes locked before I could look away, and my heart skipped a stupid, stupid beat.
Shocked by the jolt that went through me, I wrenched my gaze away. “With all due respect, Mr. Martinez, this feels pretty rushed. We barely know each other, and I’m not ready for anything new right now.”
I didn’t know much about Vance, but most proud, confident guys would get offended, turn tail and run after a direct rejection like that.
“What’s the point of waiting to ‘truly know’ someone anyway?” Vance’s eyes pinned me in place, a sharp glint burning in them—like a hunter locking onto his prey.
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