Free Long Way Home by Neve Cottrell Page B

I’m guessing long.”
    “A bus?” he echoed. “Don’t do that. It’ll take ages. I’ll give my buddy Paul your number.”
    “Who’s Paul?”
    “Friend of mine who owns a car service. It’ll be faster.”
    “Don’t trouble yourself.”
    “Trouble? I’m being completely selfish here. I don’t want you to miss our…evening out.” He deliberately avoided the word ‘date.’
    She laughed. “Fine, you’re a selfish bastard sending a car for me.”
    “I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
    “Thanks, Ty.”
    By the time she finished her shopping, her mood was elevated and she found herself whistling Christmas carols as she waited for Paul to show up outside the mall. A sleek black limousine pulled up to the curb, blocking her view. Alexis was still craning her neck for a car when a limo driver appeared in front of her.
    “You must be Alexis,” he said. “Tyler described you perfectly.”
    “Paul?” she queried.
    He wasn’t wearing the usual limo driver attire. In fact, he looked more like he stole the limo. Wearing ripped jeans and a faded Rolling Stones t-shirt, Paul did not exactly scream respectable chauffeur.
    “Don’t look so shocked,” he said. “I’m not a chauffeur.”
    “Then why do you drive a limo?”
    “I have a fleet of limos. It’s kind of important when you own a limo company.”
    “Oh.”
    Paul held the back door open for her, but Alexis shook her head.
    “Do you mind if I ride in the passenger seat up front? I’d feel foolish riding in the back.”
    “Be my guest,” he said, closing the back door and opening the passenger side door instead.
    She slid inside and admired the tan leather interior. It was a beautiful limo. Paul hopped into the driver’s seat and set off.
    “So is this a busy time of year?” Alexis asked.
    “Fairly. Corporate holiday parties and such.”
    “Well, I appreciate the ride.”
    “Anything for Tyler Barnes.”
    “How do you know him?” she asked.
    “We met when we were about thirteen. Took guitar lessons together.”
    “Are you from Mangrove Island, too?” It wouldn’t surprise Alexis to learn that Paul, too, had attended Wilson with her.
    He shook his thick head of wavy, black hair. “He took lessons in Fort Myers, where I’m from.”
    “Are you as talented as he is?” she asked.
    He shook his head. “Not by a long shot. Then again, I played cover songs to meet chicks. Ty writes his own lyrics and music, too. He’s the real deal.”
    “Do you still play?”
    “Not as often as I’d like. Running a company takes a lot of time and I like to see my family on occasion,” he joked.
    “You’re married?”
    “No, but Deena and I have been together for eight years. We’ve got two kids.”
    “Boys or girls?”
    “One of each. Penny is five and Luke is three.”
    “You’re lucky.”
    He gave her a sidelong glance. “How about you?”
    “No,” she said. “No family.”
    “Ty’s a great guy,” Paul said. “He seems to think you’re pretty special.”
    Alexis felt her cheeks color. “Me? He said that?”
    Paul wore a lazy grin. “He didn’t have to.”
    “There’s nothing going on,” Alexis protested hotly. “I’m only here for the holidays.”
    “Pipe down, Lexi. I’m not accusing you of anything indecent. If two single people like each other, what’s the harm?”
    Alexis squirmed in her seat. She didn’t mean to lose her cool.
    He raised a thick eyebrow. “Maybe not so single?”
    Alexis stiffened. She wasn’t about to get personal with Paul, no matter how close he was with Tyler.
    “It’s not that simple,” she said.
    Paul sighed loudly. “Of course not. It never is. Deena was married when we met, so I’m not judging.”
    “It isn’t like that,” she objected.
    He held up a hand. “Okay, I hear you. You’re welcome to your secrets.”
    “Will I see you at any of Tyler’s shows?” she asked, trying to steer the conversation back to neutral territory.
    “Not unless you’re staying into the new