Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 45:

“It's alright.” Sean’s eyes dropped, and his eyelashes cast soft shadows over his striking features. “Norah, I've

mentioned before, you can always turn toif you need anything.”

After a pause, Sean asked, “Do you need my assistance regarding Derek’s unwillingness to divorce?”

The car was dimly lit in the late evening, with the light from street lamps casting long shadows inside. Norah

sensed Sean's earnest look.

“There's no need for that, Mr. Scott. It’s not a major issue,” Norah calmly responded.

“You're always this formal, Norah?” Sean's voice was deep, and Norah felt the electric current of his words,

making her shiver slightly. “Do you feel like I'm begging to help you?”

Norah did feel that way.

“Mr. Scott, you're making light of it. I do not enjoy imposing on others or being in someone's debt,” Norah said

frankly. “If | were indebted to you, I'd find it hard to repay.”

“Mr. Scott, perhaps you don’t understand, but | generally don’t seek help from others. | prefer to handle things

on my own and avoid bothering people.” Due to her past experiences when she was young, Norah was wary of

accumulating debts she couldn't repay. Take Derek's life-saving favor, for example. She had devoted two whole

years to taking care of Derek, who was in a coma after the car accident.

With Derek back on his feet, safe and sound, Norah finally felt she had settled that debt. Sean hadn't realized

this was her concern.

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He suddenly grasped why she was so hesitant to accept his assistance. “But these are minor issues. You wouldn't

need to repay me, and you won't oweanything.” Sean locked eyes with Norah and challenged, “Do you keep

track of how many times Joanna has driven you hor tally up the expenses she’s incurred on your behalf?”

“The situation with Joanna is different,” Norah countered. “Joanna is my friend.”

“I was under the impression that | was your friend too.”

Norah recalled the last occasion when Sean had offered her a lift and his timely assistance when she was caught

in the rain at the bus stop. At that time, she had thought it would be lovely if she and Sean could be friends.

Given their recent interactions, she acknowledged that they could indeed be considered friends.

“There are differences between friends,” Norah explained. “Mr. Scott, surely you grasp this concept. There are

countless things | can share with Joanna that aren't feasible with you.”

“Does that include something as simple as giving you a lift home?”

“Unless it's absolutely necessary, I'd rather not impose on anyone for a ride home.”

Having spent twith Norah, Sean had concluded that he wasn’t the heartless character the rumors made him

out to be. He found her quite kind, and thus, Norah felt comfortable being open with him.

Sean chuckled. “Norah, you really know how to separate your professional life from your personal one.

Nevertheless, if | see you, I'll still offer you a ride home. It’s no big deal to drive a friend home.”

Sean wasn't taking Norah's hesitation seriously. Feeling somewhat defeated, Norah hadn't anticipated that Sean

would focus solely on their friendship and overlook her concerns.

Norah had assumed their paths crossed mainly through racing events and the medical treatment she provided to

his family members. She figured once her medical duties with his family were done, their interactions might

dwindle. So, she conceded, “Alright, understood.”

Norah reassured herself, thinking it wasn’t a bad idea to accept a ride from someone willing to offer. “By the

way, do you have tto drop by?”

“Your work doesn’t include weekends, does it?” Norah asked.

Sean replied ambiguously, “My business is closed on weekends.”

After starting her workdays at the hospital, Norah valued the rarity of having weekends off. Her hospital

employed a rotating single-day-off system, assigning days off monthly. This month, her day off was Saturday.

Considering they lived in the scommunity and wouldn't have to worry about traffic delays, Norah suggested,

“I can make it by ten in the evening.”

Norah viewed Saturday as her day to unwind and recharge.

“You can have Phillip cto fetch you then,” offered Sean.

Norah nodded in agreement. Then, suddenly, a loud screech filled the air as the car cto an abrupt halt.

Norah, deep in conversation with Sean, was entirely unprepared for the sudden stop. Caught off guard, she

stumbled into Sean’s embrace.

Phillip had been driving smoothly until a reckless motorcyclist darted out from the left, showing no signs of

slowing down. The two almost collided. Thankfully, Phillip’s quick reflexes kicked in, and he braked sharply,

swerving right to dodge the motorbike.

As the motorcyclist sped off into the night, Phillip muttered a few choice words under his breath. He harbored a

strong dislike for such reckless riders, deeming them a danger not just to themselves but to everyone else on the

road.

Once the car was back to a steady pace, Phillip cleared his throat and attempted to apologize. “Sorry about that,

it was due to a motorcycle just now...”

Catching a glimpse of the situation in the rearview mirror, Phillip promptly fell silent and diverted his gaze.

After dropping off Joanna, Norah hadn't buckled her seatbelt. As the car took a left turn, she was thrown right

into Sean’s arms, ending up wrapped in his embrace.

Feeling both embarrassed and unstable, Norah clung to him, seeking something to hold onto. Sean instinctively

supported Norah by the shoulder, his touch on her smooth skin sending warmth through him, his heart racing

uncontrollably.

As their eyes met, both filled with surprise, Sean quickly averted his gaze. A palpable tension hung between

them.

Sean and Norah both started to speak simultaneously. Turning his head, Sean gestured for her to continue,

saying, “You first.”

With seffort, Norah shifted, suggesting in a raspy voice, “Maybe we should wait until I'm no longer in your

lap to talk?”

At that critical moment when the car swerved abruptly, Norah felt the firmness of Sean's grasp, having not only

caught her in tbut also steadied himself. The sudden movement of the car had left Norah momentarily

disoriented, only to find herself securely in Sean’s hold.

They found themselves in a close embrace, like a couple lost in love.

Observing Norah's beauty up close, Sean felt compelled to clear his throat. Norah's attire—a striking red dress

that hugged her figure—accentuated her skin's softness, making her stand out even more.

Sean could feel Norah's soft skin and catch the lovely scent emanating from her. Seated in Sean’s embrace,

Norah held onto his shirt, her hair flowing behind her like seaweed, adding a touch of allure to her appearance.

Lifting her gaze to his, Norah seemed captivated, her eyes fixed solely on him. As Sean caught his reflection in

Norah's eyes, he found his hold on her involuntarily strengthening.

Noticing her discomfort, Sean carefully shifted her to the seat beside him.

As Norah's sweet and gentle presence slipped away from him, he felt a twinge of reluctance.

Norah sat back in her seat, immediately securing her seatbelt.

She cleared her throat softly, trying to disguise her awkwardness. “That was quite the unexpected event.”

Sean absentmindedly played with his fingers, the feel of Norah's touch still lingering on his skin. Upon hearing

her, he acknowledged, “I understand.”

“Mr. Scott, | appreciate your assistance in that critical moment. I'll be cautious from now on,” Norah said, making

sure her seatbelt was properly tightened. She thought another incident like that might leave her too

embarrassed to face Sean again.

“It was my pleasure to assist. There's no need for concern,” Sean replied, stealing a glance at her seatbelt. He

found himself annoyed by something he usually never gave a second thought to.

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