She held her keys up, “Care to cruise us outta here, Harley?”

“Sexy ride. Sexy passenger. My night’s made,” I answered as smoothly as I could manage, while reluctantly letting go of her hand and reaching for the key fob.

I walked over to the driver’s side, opened the door to the sound of her chuckle, sat down and slipped the key fob in the ignition. Aerin and I were almost the same height, I realized, since I didn’t need to adjust the seat at all. The wedged heels that she had on made me think she was a little taller than I was when we were walking next to each other earlier.

She was reaching for something in the back seat through the space between us. This time, I couldn’t resist. I kissed the rounded, pale shoulder that moved to within an inch of my face. Smooth, silky skin. Was it lotion or her natural skin that tasted so delicious?

“Hmmm… you’ll pay for that,” she growled as she faced forward, clutching a bag that she’d evidently retrieved from the back seat. She pulled a pair of ankle-high two-inch stack-heeled boots from the bag.

“Feels like one of the cross-straps of my wedge sandals loosened after that scamper over the sand,” she said, by way of explanation.

I shook my head slightly and blew a quick breath out as I eased the car into “drive.”

“What?” she asked with a bemused smile as she zipped her left boot up.

“Don’t like it?”

“Love it, in fact,” I answered, and stopped at the three way stop. “Chanel?” I asked.

“Uh, huh. How’d you know? “she asked. The shoes didn’t have any obvious brand marks anywhere.

“I saw a pair on display in a Rodeo Drive store a couple of months ago. Gorgeous,” I said as I carefully made a left turn into Pacific Ave.

“You didn’t get them for yourself?”

“Would have been the equivalent of two months rent money,” I said drily.

“You’re a highly-paid lawyer, Harley,” she answered, just as drily.

“Saving to make partner,” I reminded her gently.

“I didn’t mean to sound ….” she responded immediately, sitting up and half-facing me.

“I know, Aerin,” I said gently. At the next three-way stop, I stole a quick look at her and gave her a reassuring smile. She gently got hold of my right hand, again. “I love holding your hand,” she murmured, making tiny butterflies flutter inside.   She asked, still half facing me, “So why’d you shake your head and blow a breath out just now?”