We both look back at the gentleman behind the desk who immediately starts typing away. After arguing about several options, we both finally agree on a Jeep Wrangler. Aydin adds more upgrades than I think are necessary, but I stop fighting him.
In the end, it still looks kind of tank-ish, featuring a matte black finish complete with rims, winches, and a bunch of other things Aydin said I had to havejust in case. It looks so masculine, and well…badass, that I can’t deny I’m really fucking excited to drive it.
When we both finally agree on what’s on the screen, Aydin hands over a card to pay, and that’s when I execute my plan. I snatch Aydin’s card and replace it with my own. Mysleight of handapparently needs a lot of work, because Aydin catches me in action and scowls at me.
“Give it back, Vinna!” He growls, and I narrow my eyes in challenge at him.
I look over to the man who watches our exchange with a glint in his eyes.
“What are you waiting for? Run the card," I urge him.
He starts to reach for it but when Aydin shouts, “Don’t you dare, Neil!” Neil stops.
Aydin grabs my card and throws it behind us. I take the bait and scamper to retrieve it. I’m faster than Aydin anticipated, and he hasn’t managed to pull another card out of his wallet before I’m back. Taking a page from Aydin’s playbook, I snatch the open wallet from his hands, run for the door, and chuck the offending card-carrying leather as far as I can.
I don’t see where it lands before arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me in from the open doorway. I can’t help the victorious laugh that escapes me as I’m pulled back into the small building sans wallet. Aydin searches my hands and quickly realizes what I’ve done.
“You little shit!” He grunts incredulously, but I see the smile in his narrowed eyes.
Aydin looks at me, then at Neil, and through the glass of the door. I can see the wheels turning as he contemplates his next move. He knows if he goes outside to get his wallet, I’ll force Neil to run my card. A spark flashes in his eyes, and he lunges for me, throwing me over his shoulder.
“Give me my card, Vinna!” Aydin demands as he starts searching my pockets for the original card I snatched.
I’m laughing so hard, butshit,Aydin’s going to find it if I don’t do something quick. I flip over his shoulder landing behind him. I swing around and launch myself on his back and put him in a chokehold. Aydin maneuvers out of it like I’m merely giving him a hug, and we start wrestling.
I’m slightly aware of how utterly ridiculous we must look right now. I’m trying not to do any damage to Neil’s office, which is proving more and more difficult. I get Aydin in a great position for an arm bar, but there’s just not enough room to follow through without putting a hole in a wall. I release my hold, and we’re all over each other again, both looking for the opportunity to gain the upper hand.
It’s time for the big guns, or rather the big knives, I think to myself, as I flip out of Aydin’s grasp and call on the runes on my ribs. A long dagger forms in my hand, and I point it at the advancing giant. Aydin stops a few inches shy of the point of the blade and glares at me.
“That’s cheating!” He pouts.
“I know… jealous?” I tease.
Aydin laughs. “Yes, I am, actually!”
I laugh at his admission. “I had to. If we keep it up, I’ll not only be paying for my new Jeep but a new office for Neil too," I chuckle and give Aydin a wink.
We both look over to Neil, and he’s shaking with laughter and wiping tears from his eyes. “I could watch that all day," Neil admits and falls into another fit of laughter.
I pull out my card and hand it over to the giggling Neil, keeping my blade trained on Aydin.
“As soon as that blade’s gone you’re going to get it, Little Badass.”
Aydin’s playful threat hangs in the room as Neil runs my card. He hands it back to me with a huge, beaming smile.
“You’re going to make a fine paladin if you can best this one already," Neil points at Aydin.
I open my mouth to tell him I can’t be a paladin, as I’m late to the game, but Aydin’s voice cuts me off.
“She’ll be the best we’ve ever seen.”
I turn back to Aydin, surprised at the admission. He winks at me, his smile growing even bigger. Neil hands me the receipt, and I let go of the magic keeping the dagger solid in my hand.
Neil lets out a surprised gasp. He quickly covers his shock over my disappearing knife trick and extends his hands for me to shake. Aydin throws me over his shoulder again before I can shake it. He spins in place, making me dizzy, and I’m squealing with laughter. Aydin shakes Neil’s hand and thanks him before carrying me out of the door.
“Thank you, Neil," I shout before the door closes.
A laugh-filled “You’re welcome” is shouted back.
