Carol seemed satisfied with that answer, scribbled on her pad, then looked up, sweet smile returning. “Don't let me keep you,” she said. She moved past Kate, pushing open the kitchen door, humming more. “Bye now. Gotta run.”

Kate flashed her own smile, although not as sweetly, at her friend's back as

she left. She waited a moment, then got up, walking to the back door. She put her

hand on the knob, and paused, peering out the window. Peter was coiling up the

hose, done with his work.

What if he said no? What if he said yes? Her heart was thunking. It was just

a flat tire. Why did this feel like one of the biggest decisions of her life?

She took a deep breath, turned the knob, and pulled open the door.

Chapter Six

“Hi, neighbor.”

Peter turned. She wasn't sure if that was a look of surprise or pleasure on his

face.

He quickly wiped his hands on a towel and tossed it on a nearby chair. “Hey.

Kate. Good to see you again.”

Good, he's smiling. That part's over. Kate walked around the gleaming Mustang, still dripping from its wash. “Well, I figured I'd be a bad neighbor if I never stopped over once while I was here. This is your car?” She ran her hand

down the gleaming chrome on the side panel. “Wow.” She wasn't an old-car geek, but this one was nice. Sleek and powerful-looking.

“Thanks.” He came over to her, rested his hand on the rear fender.

“Wait…didn't your dad used to have a beat-up car like this?” She asked, peering inside the passenger window.

“Yup. Same one.”

“Oh.” It hit her. His dad, yes. Stupid, Kate. She looked down, then up.

“Peter, I'm so sorry about your dad. I knew he had…gone.” She looked back at

her old house. “Carol told me the rest. With you and your mom and all. That must have been really hard.”

He nodded. “Thanks.”

“I'm sorry you had to go through that.” What else could she say? “Losing a

parent…I can't imagine.” As distant as hers seemed at times, picturing one of them gone, especially so soon…

And Peter's dad had always been great, teasing her. He always called her Special K, his little joke.

“Yeah. He really started to deteriorate when I was in grad school. And Mom,

she could only do so much caregiving.”

Kate nodded, not sure what else to say. He stood, blue eyes fixed on her, then folded his arms, shoulders wide and back. It was a strong stance, not sad or

defeated. As if the process of grief had steeled him.

“How is your mom?” she asked.

“Good. Great, actually. Out in New Mexico, if you can believe it. Her sister

lives out there as well. Mom does pastel painting for a hobby and works as a librarian. Lots of friends.”

“That's good. I'm glad.” There was a moment, then, a softening silence. She wanted to touch his arm, something to say she was sorry, to comfort him. She touched the gleaming chrome side mirror instead. “So, you did all this?” She shaded her eyes and peered in the back window.

He nodded. “With a little help from Lucius, a ton of weekends, and a lot of

favors from Matt at JC's Body Shop.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I promised his kid an A in Intro to Chemistry.”

She looked up, trying to gauge his face.

His face reddened slightly. “That was a joke, by the way, in case you're thinking of telling the principal.”

Kate forced a smile. Does he even remember why I lost that fair? “Well, I'm impressed,” she said. His eyes smiled again. Okay, remember why you're here.

She touched her palms together, fingers spread. “Yes, the reason I came over was

I was wondering if you could help me with my flat.”

“Your flat what?”

“Oh—flat tire.” She turned and pointed to the street where the yellow Bug sat, sagging on the front left side, courtesy of Carol's sabotage. “I wanted to drive out to see the Nitrovex plant.”

“Oh, I can take you.”

Her head cocked. What? “Take me? In your car?”

Peter ran a hand through his hair again, and her pulse fluttered. “Yeah, sure,”

he said. “It'll be dark pretty soon, and after that, you won't be able to see much of the plant. I'll fix the flat when we get back.”

“Really? You sure?” Because I'm not.

He shook his head. “No problem. I've got a work light and a compressor.

Probably just a slow leak.”