Chapter 82

The rest of the ride had been completed in comfortable silence. It was almost as if her blurting out that she cared what he thought put them both at ease. As they traveled into the heart of Nashville, she again asked where they were going.

"South Street."

Now that she knew the name, she did get a little excited. "I've heard of that place before! Some girls I have class with went last weekend. This is really a good surprise."

The smile on her face was enough for him. It was probably the first genuine smile he'd ever seen from her. One that spoke of girly excitement and complete surprise. He answered her with one of his own, proud that he had lit up her face like that. "I'm glad you're excited."

She watched as he negotiated the traffic when they got off the interstate. She clenched her thighs at the exit and tried not to look as he maneuvered them into the correct lane.

"Do you get nervous in traffic?" he asked, laughing.

"Yeah. You, though, handle it very well."

The tone o