Thinking of my day ahead, I walk outside, and do a double-take at the fully reclined man, snoring in an SUV parked in front of my building.
“Dash?” I knock on the window, and he rolls it down. “What’re you doing out here?”
“Watching out for you, firefly.” He says it like it’s the most logical thing in the world.
Seeing the half-man, his eyes widen. “Taking your friend for a walk?”
“It’s a long story… As long as you’re here, can you drive me into Manhattan?”
“Sure, hop in.” He starts the car and snickering, watches while I buckle Jonathan in the back seat. “Where to?”
“First, Seventh Avenue South. Then, if you don’t mind, I could really use a lift to Jersey City.”
“Your wish is my command.” He glances in the side mirror and combs his fingers through his mussed-up hair.
Damn, even after spending the night in a car, the man is hot.
~ Chapter 11~
Dash
I had planned to drive home before daybreak, but I must’ve drifted off. Surprisingly, she doesn’t seem annoyed to see me sleeping outside her building. I’ll count that as a win. Seeing her so early makes me wish I could’ve woken up in her bed instead of cramped up in my car.
“Good morning.” At the next stoplight, I twist my head and glance back at the humanoid.
It doesn’t stir so I look at Lanita for a hint. “You have to say good morning,Jonathan.”
After trying again as she suggests, it opens realistic eyes. The dark centers adjust to the light and as it focuses on my face, it attempts to mimic my half-asleep, in desperate need of caffeine, expression.
“Good morning, Mr. Montclair.” His head swivels to the left and right windows. “The outside appears to be moving.”
“Actually, we’re the ones in motion.” I double park in front of a bodega, turn toward my passenger, and wonder what she’s up to. “Want coffee?”
“Yes please.” She blesses me with a bright smile which works better than the sun to warm me.
When I return to rush hour traffic, the robot in the back seat remains quiet. “Did I break it?”
Pulling her phone from her black bag, she swipes, and frowns at the screen. “I’ll bet this is his first time in a car. According to this, his CPU is maxed out. He’ll be okay in a few minutes.”
With Jonathan silent and the caffeine kicking in, I figure it’s as good a time as any to move our relationship to the next level. “I did a lot of thinking last night and decided you were right. We should work together.”
Eyes wide, mouth open, she does a doubletake. “Mr. O-Sole-Mio? What prompted this abrupt change of heart?”
She hits a nerve, and it stings. As in the Italian song she quotes, my feelings are involved and have been since Seattle. “Do you want to or not?”
“Jeesh, yes, your grumpiness.” She grimaces at my brusqueness. “You could start by telling me why you really flew to Jersey.”
Happy to change the subject, I drive with one hand, and slurp my coffee with the other. “The body of Ray Chandler, missing for twelve years, washed up in Atlantic City last week. His widow is offering a substantial amount of money leading to the arrest of his killer.”
“After all these years? Why now? Did his cement shoes break loose?” Her kissable mouth tilts up at the sides and as I glance over, the sun halos her face. It’s so hard to keep my eyes off her, I almost miss the yellow cab about to cut me off.
“Watch out!” Scrunching her eyes, she slams her foot on the floor and braces her palms on the dash.
I wait for her to relax before shooting her a grin. “For a pilot, you sure are jumpy.”
“You almost hit that taxi.” She’s obviously not used to New York City driving so I try to explain.
“Not even close.” My tone, intended to calm her irrational fears, makes her voice raise an octave.
