The truck crept forward at approximately the speed of continental drift. Stella’s eyes were wide, focused on the empty expanse ahead like she was navigating a minefield.
“Good,” Tyler said, trying to keep his voice steady. “That’s good. You can give it a little gas.”
“Gas. Right.” She touched the accelerator like it might explode.
The truck lurched forward. Tyler’s hand shot out to grab the door handle.
“Sorry! Sorry. Too much?”
“Just... gentle. Like you’re petting a cat.”
“I don’t like cats.”
“Like you’re... adjusting Joey’s napkin display.”
That made her laugh, tension easing slightly. “Delicate. Got it.”
She tried again, and this time the truck moved forward smoothly. They crawled across the parking lotat five miles per hour, Stella gripping the wheel like it might escape.
“See? You’re driving,” Tyler said.
“This doesn’t count as driving. This is... aggressive sitting.”
“Everyone starts somewhere.”
“Did you start in a parking lot?”
“I started in Margo’s truck on the beach at dawn, but that’s illegal now.”
“Of course you did.” She pressed the accelerator a bit more, reaching a wild ten miles per hour. “This is actually... okay.”
“Try turning. Gentle movements.”
She turned the wheel like she was defusing a bomb. The truck responded, making a wide arc across the empty lot.
“I’m turning! Tyler, I’m turning!”
“You’re doing great.” And she was. The death grip on the wheel was loosening, her shoulders dropping from around her ears.
“Can I go faster?”
“Let’s master fifteen miles per hour first.”
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m responsible for keeping you alive.”
“Details.” But she kept the speed steady, making larger loops around the parking lot. “In Sydney, Mum’s boyfriend has this tiny car. Manual transmission. He tried to teach me once but I stalled it six times just getting out of the driveway.”
“Manual’s harder. This is good for learning.”
“Plus it’s a tank. I could hit something and the truck would win.”
“Let’s not test that theory.”
“Spoilsport.” She was relaxing now, starting to look around instead of laser-focusing on the asphalt ahead. “This is actually kind of... nice?”
“Just driving?”
