Earlier in the evening…
Ella's fingers fumbled with the seatbelt, her voice soft but filled with nerves. "T-Thank you for dropping me home. Have a good night…"
Liam didn't look at her immediately. His gaze was fixed elsewhere, sharp and unreadable. "You should've brought your own car if you planned to stay at Georgia's this late. It's dangerous to commute alone for a woman."
Confused, Ella followed his line of sight, only to find him staring at the weathered old car in her driveway.
"Oh, that?" she asked quickly, her cheeks warming. "It's my father's car. I had it towed from his place to get fixed, but the repair costs are… insane. The shop sent it back when I couldn't commit. Still—" her voice softened, almost affectionate, "—I've been saving up because he loves that car."
Liam finally turned to her, his eyes catching hers, the tension between them making her heart jolt. "It's not just old, Ella. It's vintage. In the right condition, it could be worth a fortune."
