The guitar strings of a nice-sounding song began to filter out of the car’s sound system, startling in its clarity, as if the guitar player was right here in the car with us.

“The sound system of this car is amazing,” I said out loud. She nodded, still looking my way in a questioning manner. I laughed, and explained, “When you slink down the street later, after we park and head for the restaurant, your sexy body in that top, long, slim legs in those barely-there jeans, and those fuck-me boots that scream “style!”, you’ll see every man we walk past break their necks to try to get a glimpse of your ass. I guarantee it.”

“Wha-a-a-t?” she asked with a disbelieving chuckle.

“You’re too hot for me,” I mouthed to her with a wink.

“I’ve been searching for a long time,” the singer started to sing after the long chill guitar intro, “For someone exactly like you.” A sax blared soulfully in the background.

“I’ve been traveling all around the world. Waiting for you to come through.”

Aerin kissed my hand again, looking at me intently.

We’d reached one end of Pacific Ave and we fell silent as I piloted the car with my free hand, as the road curved to the left and then straightened into Pacific Avenue.

“Someone like you… makes it all worth while … someone like you keeps me satisfied … I’ve been travelling a hard road … looking for someone exactly like you … I’ve been carryin’ my heavy load …waiting for the light to come shining through …”

“Harley,” she murmured. I shut my eyes after I cruised to the next stop light. I was right earlier, she could take my heart, and, if somehow this crazy feeling between us didn’t lead to something, crush it like a bug. Despite knowing this, I was helpless. This. This is crazy, Harley. Do you know what’ll happen if this doesn’t work? You won’t be able to …

“We have time to pull over for a second?” she asked softly.

“I’ve been doin’ some soul searching … to find out where you’re at … I’ve been up and down the highway … in all kinds of foreign lands” the singer crooned in the background.