Hot Ride (Summer Lovin’)

Chapter 1

Scarlett

Urgent meeting—All accounting staff. 9 AM sharp.

Iblink hard, willing the words to change. They don't.

Forget the usual morning routine—I have no appetite for coffee or a proper breakfast.

Fumbling my hair into a haphazard knot, I silently berate my past self.

Apparently, future-me wasn't a consideration during last night's “one more episode” marathon.

My hands shake as I grab my bag, fumbling with the zipper. But I'm out in record time and sliding into the driver's seat of my trusty old Honda.

Even the familiar scent of vanilla air freshener does little to calm my nerves.

I jam the key into the ignition and twist it. The engine whines in protest, the pistons grinding like arthritic knees.

The car has seen better days but never let me down. Until now, apparently.

This can't be happening, not today, not when I have that meeting with HR, and not when there's so much to do before I take a flight home for Daniel and Jessica’s wedding.

“Come on, come on!”I mutter, my voice rising with each failed attempt.

After the third try, I slump against the seat, defeat washing over me.

The universe, it seems, has other plans.

Jett Silver's latest hit blasts from my phone. My brother set the ringtone–updating the track with every new release.

I reach over to the passenger seat, finding it among the clutter of empty coffee cups and crumpled receipts.

I’m greeted by Daniel and Jessica's adorable couple selfie. Their frozen grins are contagious.

“Hey,” I manage, aiming for casual and missing by a mile. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course, it is, Scar.”

My brother’s voice soothes me. He has this way of convincing you that everything will work out for the best. Optimism is his superpower.

“I was looking over the color-coded schedule you sent—excellent job, by the way—but I didn’t see a travel itinerary. Is it in a different attachment?”

I groan, realizing my mistake. "Ugh, I can't believe I forgot to send that."

I glance at the rearview mirror and wince. My appearance doesn't help my mood at all.

Stray hairs stick out everywhere from my messy bun. It's not even 8 in the morning, and I already feel completely wiped out.

“You've been juggling so much lately–work, helping us plan the wedding–the whole shebang. Don't stress too much,” he reassures me.

“You’re right, I’ve been swamped,” I admit. “But don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.”

I run a hand through my messy hair. “My car broke down this morning. Just my luck, huh?”

I let out a humorless laugh.

“I’m taking the bus to work. I’ll double-check the flight info when I get there.”

Daniel’s quiet for a moment.

Then he asks, “What about catching a ride with Jett? He’s heading down tomorrow.”

“And subject myself to days trapped in a car with him? No thanks.”

Just hearing Jett's name makes me shiver. Memories from my teenage years flood back. I push them away, forcing myself to focus on now.

Daniel chuckles, the sound warm andreassuring.

“He's not that bad these days, you know. The fame hasn't gone totally to his head.”

I roll my eyes, even though he can't see it.

“Whatever you say, bro. Iappreciatethe offer, but I've already booked my flight.”

“Get here as soon as you can. I need my best girl by my side.”

I swallow hard. “I’ll be there, Daniel. Even if I have to hitchhike.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he laughs.

His words warm me, despite everything.

“I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

“Love you, sis. Can't wait to see you.”

“Love you, too, you big sap.”

**

As I hang up, I check the time and curse under my breath. I'm going to be late for work ontop ofeverythingelse.

Grabbing my laptopbag, I lock up and speed-walk to the nearest stop, my heels clicking an anxious rhythm on the pavement.

The time spent riding to work does little to settle my nerves. The city whizzes by in a blur of colors and sounds, but my mind is stuck on thesputteringengine and the loomingmeeting.

What could they possibly want? The memory of that cryptic emailresurfaces, sending a freshwave of anxiety through me.

By the time I slide into my cubicle, I'm a solid twenty minutes late. Sarah, my boss, arches one perfectly plucked eyebrow at me.“Everythingalright, Scarlett?”

I'm about to explain the car trouble and bus delay, but sheinterruptswith a brisk wave of her hand.

“Never mind. Let's get started—we have some news to discuss.”

The rest of the team filters in, their faces etched with worry. This can't be good.I glance around, noting the tense shoulders and nervousfidgeting.Whatever'scoming, it'sbig.

Sarah clears her throat, her gaze sweeping the room with practiced calm.“I'll cut right to it—we'reundergoingsomerestructuringhere at the firm.Unfortunately, that means the entireaccountingdepartmentis being let go, effectiveimmediately.”

Astunned silence falls over the room. The air leaves my lungs in a rush, and my earlierpremonitionconfirmsit in the worst possible way.

“You're firing all of us?”I manage to choke out.

She grimaces, a flash of genuine regret crossing her features.“I know this is a shock. But rest assured, you'll all be given fair severance packages based on your time here. HR will be sending details shortly.”

Therest of her words fade into a static buzz. I sit down heavily, my legssuddenly weak. I'munemployed. My hands are clenched so tightly, nailsbiting intomy palms.

The timing couldn't be worse.

As themeeting finally ends and we're ushered out, shell-shocked and silent, I retreat to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on my face, I stare at myreflection.

“Pull yourself together,”I mutter to myself, gripping the edges of the sink.“You've got this. One problem at a time.”

Back at my desk, the HR email glares at me from my inbox like a ticking time bomb. I click it open, bracing myself. Yep, there it is—my severance package andinformationaboutoutplacementservices.

All wrapped up in corporate jargon wishing me the best of luck with my future endeavors. I skim through it, and my lips twist into a grimace.

Thenumber at the bottom won't keep me afloat for long.

My mind races, tallying up the bills—rent due next week, car repairs that can't wait, and-oh joy-my health insurance that will vanish along with my job.

Not to mention the wedding expenses I had budgeted for with a steady paycheck in mind. Thisseverance is a band-aid on a bullet wound, and I'm bleeding out fast.

With a heavy sigh, I switch to my airline app. At least I can look forward to Daniel's wedding—a few days ofcelebrationand family might be what I need to shake off this mess. I navigate to my booking, eager to see those flight details and picture myself far away from here.

Instead, my stomach drops as I see an error message:“Booking not found.”

I blink hard as if that will magically fix whatever glitch is messing with me. Nope. Still there. I let out a short, humorless laugh.“Fantastic. The cherry on top of this disaster sundae.”

My fingers fly across the screen,desperatelysearching for anexplanation. Butdeep down, I already know—this day isn't done kicking me while I'm down.

I bite back a curse andimmediatelydial the airline's customer service number. After what feels like an eternity on hold, a chirpy voice informs me thatdue to a payment issue, myreservationhas been voided.

And, of course, because the universe hates me today, there are no more available seats on flights to Daniel's wedding location.

Perfect. Just perfect.

I sink into my chair, the day'scatastrophesweighing on me. Daniel's wedding is in four days, my job is gone, my car is useless, and now I have no way to get there. It's like the plot of a bad rom-com, except I'm not finding itfunny at all.

Daniel's teasing about Jett keeps playing in my head.“He's not that bad these days.”

The image of Jett's self-assured smirk lingers in my thoughts, causing a sly grin to play at the corners of my mouth. It seems that my brother's best friend and leadsinger of Eclipse, the world-famous rock band, is my only hope.

I take asteadying breath.

Am I reallyconsideringthis? Days on the road with Jett, trapped in close quarters, subjected to his charm and thatinfuriatingsmirk?But what choice doI have?

I pull up Jett's latest hit song on my app, embracing thefamiliar strains of his voice.

“It's just a ride,”I tell myself firmly.

With aridiculouslyhot rock star who probably doesn't even remember my name.