From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 277

**Chapter 162: Hop In**

Reese

As I stepped out into the parking lot, Penelope’s car had already disappeared, its taillights flickering like distant stars swallowed by the relentless drizzle. But that was of little concern to me. I had a clear mental map of her neighborhood, a precise understanding of the route she would take to get home.

Everything felt almost too effortless. I could already envision the night unfolding, her breath hitching as I took control, her body trembling beneath me. It was precisely where I wanted to be, and nothing would deter me from that goal.

I slid into my car, the engine purring to life as the rain drummed steadily against the windshield, creating a rhythm that matched the quickening beat of my heart. There was no need to rush; timing was crucial when it came to Penny. If I arrived too soon, she’d grow suspicious, and I couldn’t have that. She wasn’t naive—she simply had a tendency to believe in coincidences a bit too much.

So, I allowed myself the luxury of patience. The rain stretched out the silence, and I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel, watching as the cityscape faded into long, empty, rain-soaked streets.

And then, just like that, she appeared. A flash of headlights reflected off her car, its hazard lights flickering weakly against the downpour. There she was, standing by the roadside, both hands waving desperately. Her hair clung to her face, and her trench coat was plastered against her body—a perfect image of vulnerability.

A smirk crept onto my lips as I slowed to a halt beside her, rolling down the window just enough for my voice to break through the rain. “Did you have a change of mind, baby?”

She blinked through the curtain of rain, her surprise evident. “Reese? What are you doing here?”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance, as though the universe had conspired to bring me to her side. “I’m staying at a hotel nearby. This just happens to be the only road leading there.”

Her expression softened, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Oh.” She tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that revealed her frustration. “I’ve got a flat tire. I don’t even know how this happened.”

Stepping out of the car, I glanced down at the offending tire, rain splattering against my shoulders. “That’s unfortunate, Penny. Do you have a spare?”

She shook her head, her frustration palpable. “No. Can you maybe call a mechanic? I really need to get home. I have to prepare for tomorrow. I’ve got a lot to read up on, Reese.”

I checked my watch, the hands inching closer to midnight. “It’s almost midnight. Do you really think a mechanic is just hanging around, waiting for your call?”

She sighed, exasperated and shivering from the cold. “This is absurd. My tires were perfectly fine earlier.” Then, she looked at me again, her eyes searching mine. “Well, thanks for stopping. I’ll just book a ride. I can send someone for the car in the morning.”

I waved her off with a light laugh, stepping back into my car. “Not on my watch. Hop in. I’ll drive you home.”

“I live at—”

I interrupted her before she could finish, my tone casual yet assertive. “I know where you live, Penny.”

Her head snapped toward me, surprise etched across her features. “You… remember?”

A faint smile tugged at my lips as I kept my eyes on the road. “How could I ever forget?”

The remainder of the drive was enveloped in silence, save for the rain and the soft hum of the tires against the wet pavement. I could feel her gaze on me, heavy and curious. Every few seconds, when I turned my head slightly, she would quickly avert her eyes, pretending to be engrossed in the view outside, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.

When we finally reached her street, she pointed toward her house. “Right there. You can drop me off.”

I halted the car in front of her home, and she began to gather her purse and phone, her fingers fumbling as if they were no longer cooperating. I scrolled idly on my phone, feigning disinterest, fully aware of her type.

The moment you stop pursuing them, they begin to chase you. Penny despised being ignored. She always craved validation, a constant reminder that she had my attention—and withholding it was precisely what drew her in.