Chapter Three

"Cat got your tongue?"

It was all Theresa could do to keep her mouth shut and not say something that she would inevitably regret. Like drop dead.

But staring at his license…she knew she had to be on her best behavior. This guy wasn't just some wealthy prick like she had originally suspected. This guy was Ethan Crane, President of Crane Industries at age 24. The son of her employer.

And, as much as she wanted to wipe that smug grin off of his face, this guy was…her dream man.

Well, he had been her dream man. Until he had opened his cocky mouth and blamed the entire incident on her, when it was clearly both of their faults. Actually, the dumb dog Theresa had braked for was actually at fault here, but, it wasn't like you could really blame a dog for a car wreck.

"I won't be needing these after all, Mr. Crane," Theresa finally replied quietly, handing Ethan his license and insurance card. Ethan snatched them back from her, and for a second, Theresa thought she saw something like…sympathy flash across his handsome face. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that smirk that was both impossibly infuriating and aggrevatingly adorable.

"And why might that be, Theresa?" Ethan taunted, crossing his tanned arms across his chest. She lifted her eyes and met his, wishing with all her might that he would stop being such a jerk so she wouldn't feel so stupid thinking he was gorgeous.

"I think you know why, Mr. Crane."

And she knew he understood. The wavering emotions that crossed his face…he understood exactly.

Perhaps she was imagining it, but he seemed almost…sad with his understanding. Like, he accepted his position in life, but didn't particularly relish it. And Theresa, as much as she disliked this man, felt her heart going out to him, because what a sad thing it was, to live a life that you didn't have a zest for.

"Right. Well, let me just copy your info down…"Ethan finally said, turning towards his car to get a pen and some paper.

"What!?! You've got to be kidding me!" Theresa exploded, no longer caring who he was. "You practically own this entire town, and you won't swallow the few hundred bucks that repairing your car might cost you? Gosh, you're not only a brat, you're cheap, too."

So much for feeling sympathy towards the guy.

"Tsk, tsk. Theresa, it's the principle of the situation. You caused this accident, so you need to pay for the damages."

"Ugh! You are the biggest creep I've ever met! God, and to think I almost felt bad for you!"

Theresa was now the one wearing the smug grin as Ethan scrunched his face up in confusion.

"Excuse me? You felt bad for me? Do tell."

"I said ALMOST, Mr. Crane, and only because it's a horrible thing to be living a life that you obviously don't enjoy."

Ethan stared at her silently, his face once again confused. It was a sad confusion, one that made Theresa once again feel sympathy for him. And as he stared at her, Theresa stopped seeing the cocky, arrogant jerk, and instead saw him as the lost, frightened little boy that he really was. Then, throwing Theresa completely off guard, he handed over her license and insurance card.

"I won't be needing these, Theresa."

He turned towards his car, and Theresa suddenly felt the urge to comfort him, to hug him…to be there for him. Why, she had no idea, but there was something about him that just drew her to him.

"Ethan-"

Ethan whirled back around, his face hardened.

"It's Mr. Crane to you, Theresa, and now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere that I need to be."

Theresa's jaw dropped once more as he climbed into his Mustang. The nerve of that guy!

"Oh, and Theresa?"

Ethan stuck his head out of the window, the cocky smile back on his face.

"It was certainly nice running into you!" Ethan left, wiggling his fingers at her in an exaggerated wave.

And with that, he sped off, leaving a seriously pissed off, seriously bewildered Theresa Lopez- Fitzgerald behind.