She shook her head and opened the menu. “Mmm-hmm.”
Minutes later, Tom came to take their drink order, but both opted for water. With the season starting, Malcolm wanted to limit his intake of sugary and alcoholic drinks. He’d probably have a beer on Saturday at his barbecue, but that would be the limit.
Lauren closed her menu. “Malcolm?”
He lifted his head.
She seemed to struggle with her words. “I know it probably doesn’t matter and is far too late, but I’m sorry for hurting you.”
Malcolm slowly set the menu aside. For the past eight years, it hadn’t mattered, but tonight, for some reason, hearing her apologize made him feel different. “It matters, Lauren, and I accept your apology. But I have to know why. Why didn’t you give us a chance?”
“I don’t know. I was young, insecure.”
“Insecure?”
“Very much so. I was dating the school’s star running back, and more than one girl made sure I knew that I wouldn’t be able to hold your attention for long.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Lauren—”
She held up a hand. “Please let me finish. It was nothing you did or said. In fact, you made me believe that we could have forever.” She took a deep breath. “One of my friends was dating an athlete at the time, as well, and the moment he had a shot at going pro, he walked away. He told her that he needed to be with someone who would run in the same circles.”
Malcolm felt his anger rise. “That had nothing to do with us.”
Lauren looked at him with sad eyes. “You’re right. But seeing her misery and listening to her tell me over and over to get out before the same thing happened to me... I bought in.”
He wanted to hold it over her head, but he couldn’t. They’d both been twenty-one, and he didn’t know a twenty-one-year-old who hadn’t made a mistake, him included. And strangely, he understood her point. He’d seen a few of his teammates do exactly as she had described, and they’d ended up being linked to paternity suits, baby-mama drama or some other spectacle. Malcolm had never been a party to that scene, because his parents would have killed him—if his older siblings didn’t do it first.
“If I could go back, I’d do things differently.”
“I think that could be said for a lot of situations.” Malcolm lifted his glass of water. “We can’t go back, but we can start again. To the beginning of a new and mature friendship.”
Lauren smiled and touched her glass to the side of his. “To new beginnings.” She took a sip and set it down. “No matter what you think, Malcolm, I didn’t come here to intrude on your life. But I appreciate your friendship.”
Friendship. The word left a bitter taste in his mouth. After all they had shared, he didn’t know if he could think of her as just a friend. Not when the first thing he’d wanted to do when he saw her on the side of the road was take her in his arms and reacquaint himself with the smell and taste of her. Before he could delve further into areas where he had no business, the server came with hot French bread and butter and to take their orders. When he left, Malcolm asked, “Why sports nutrition?”
“Actually, I have you to thank for that. During one of our conversations about me going to grad school and having to write a thesis, I complained that I didn’t want to do the same subjects that everyone always did. You suggested doing something related to correlating improved nutrition to performance, and that’s what I did. It worked so well that I was offered a consultation position at the junior college where I conducted the study. It was only a few hours a week, so I got a job at the hospital where I interned and did that on the side.”
That she had taken his suggestion filled Malcolm with a weird sense of pride. “I’m really happy it worked out for you, and I think you’re going to do well with the team.”
“That means a lot coming from you. Thank you.”
Over dinner, he told her about his plans to join Khalil in business and listened while she told him about wanting to write a book on nutrition for athletes. As she spoke, he couldn’t help staring at her lips and remembering all the ways they’d kissed—and all the places. He thought back to the friendship toast earlier. Just friends? He didn’t see it lasting that way for long. Hell, he didn’t see it lasting when he took her home.
* * *
Lauren listened to the mechanic and felt a headache coming on. “But the car is less than ten years old. How did the transmission go out?” When she purchased the used Maxima four years ago, she’d had it thoroughly checked out and nothing came up.
He shrugged and handed her an estimate.
Her eyes widened at the cost. At this rate, she would be better off purchasing a new one. “I’d like to check out some other options first before deciding whether to fix it. Can I call you late tomorrow morning?” She had too much to do to go looking for a new car. Fortunately, her first appointment wasn’t until noon, but she needed a rental in the meantime so she could get to work tomorrow. She didn’t want to impose on Malcolm any more than she already had, but outside of Uber or Lyft, she had no other way to get to the rental place. Her gaze caught Malcolm’s. He gave her a sympathetic look.
“Sure thing.” The man walked over to the other side of the long counter, retrieved a business card, wrote his name on it and handed it to her. “I’ll just make a note that you’ll call before we start any work on the car.”
Lauren accepted the card. “Thanks.” She followed Malcolm back to his car. “Thank you for everything.”
Holding the door open, he asked, “You’re welcome.”
“I didn’t mean to monopolize your entire evening. I know you’re probably anxious to get home. Do you have to go far?” He’d been driving her all across town. Luckily, the repair shop had only been a short ten-minute drive from the restaurant.
A slow grin made its way across his handsome face. “Actually, I live about five minutes from here.”
She faced him. “Oh, no. I can just call Uber or Lyft to take me home.”
Malcolm’s smile faded, and he shook his head. “Get in.”
“Malcolm...” She trailed off when he folded his arms. He gestured with his head, and she sank into the leather seat.
Malcolm closed the door with a solid thud and then got in on his side. He leveled her with a look. “You do not need to spend money for that when I’m right here.”
“But you’ll be driving almost half an hour in the opposite direction, only to turn around and come right back here.”
He ignored her and pulled onto the street. “So, are you thinking it might be cheaper to buy a new car?”
“I am. For now, though, I need to find a rental.”
“I’ll pick you up in the morning. Just tell me what time.”
“I’m sure you have other things to do. I can just call—”
“Yeah, I know... Uber or Lyft. I’m taking you home now and I’m picking you up tomorrow. What’s your address?”
Lauren refused to acknowledge how his possessiveness made her feel. Knowing she’d never win the argument, she rattled off her address. They discussed her options for the car and confirmed a pickup time for the morning. When he turned in to her complex, she directed him to a spot near her unit. “I appreciate your help, Malcolm. See you tomorrow at nine.” She placed her hand on the doorknob.
Malcolm shook his head and chuckled.
She paused. “Now what?”
“You know I’m not letting you walk to the