“I’m Kathleen Avery,” I said, slightly breathless but determined. He didn’t answer. Didn’t even glance my way. I just kept walking, as if I were invisible. Like I was just there to do his bidding.
Okay then. “Business or pleasure?”
“Neither.”
“Cool, cool. Love a man of mystery,” I chirped. “You should swing by the French Quarter. Grab some beignets, hear some music.”
“I’m not in town to be a tourist.”
Right. Of course not. Heaven forbid he should accidentally enjoy himself.
“Got it. A top-secret mission,” I teased.
“Not really.” His tone was flatter than a heart monitor.
I pressed on. “I once had a guy try to board a plane with a snake. Said it was his emotional support animal. Think you can top that?”
He shot me a look. “Why would I want to?”
Wow. Okay. “TSA didn’t let him on, obviously.”
“Good. That would’ve been a safety violation.”
“Wow, you are a bucket of fun,” I muttered.
“Look,” he snapped, finally stopping. “I just need to get to the limo. Preferably without a full biography of every passenger you’ve ever driven.”
“Sure,” I snapped. “But just for the record, your limo backed intome.”
He whirled around. “It backed intoyou?”
“You didn’t feel it?” I said, incredulous.
He frowned. “Wait… I did feel something.”
“Yeah. That wasmy shuttle.You hitme.”
He paused, then waved a hand as if to dismiss me. “Whatever. Let’s go.”
Unbelievable. I stomped after him. “You know, I’ve had more stimulating conversations with Siri.”
“Talk to her, then,” he said, not missing a step. “She might actually care.”
I clenched my teeth. “Seriously, what’s your deal?”
“My deal is that I have to get to my appointment.”
“Maybe if you weren’t so busy being a jerk, you’d get where you’re going faster.”
He finally glanced at me. The look in his eyes was cold and arrogant. “Maybe if you knew how to drive, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?Youhitme.You don’t get to rewrite history just because you have an ‘important appointment.’”
“Backup limo’s waiting,” he said, ignoring me again.
When we finally reached the sleek black vehicle, Imayhave dropped his bags with a little more enthusiasm than necessary. “Good luck at your very important meeting,” I said, oozing sarcasm.
He didn’t thank me. Just nodded and climbed inside.
