“My driver?”
“You have a family driver,” he reminded me.
“Oh.” I waved my hand. “We don’t have a family driver… we request them from the same company. Nine times out of ten, it’s a different person.”
“Fine, family drivingcompany.” He shook his head with an entertained smile lighting up his face. “Whatever. Is it because of them? Because I’ve never gotten close to getting in an accident while you were in here with me.”
I scoffed. “You nearly rear-ended someone on the way to the beach.”
“I had it under control.”
“Illusion of control, sure.”
“Come on, Yara. I think we’re past the subterfuge and three steps ahead of planning part of our relationship,” he said. “I’ve been your other half, and now, you’re playing mine. We’ve kissed. It’s hardly a secret we hate that we like each other.”
I took another sip of my drink, grappling with his casual confession. David spoke as if all those things were weather changes or postponed assignment due dates. The ease should be comforting. Instead, it grated on my nerves. There was no solid ground to stand on.
“I don’t like cars.” My confession was heavy with shame. “I… I got in an accident when I was learning to drive–that’s why I still don’t have my license. It was pretty bad. My folks haven’t trusted me behind the wheel since. They stopped teaching me.”
“They stopped teaching you.” David’s forehead deeply creased, a valley of concern and disapproval.
“Yeah, and honestly, I stopped asking.”
“You’re rich,” he said. “Stop asking and hire someone.”
I frowned. “I can’t just hire someone.”
“Why not?”
“Because I…” There was a reason, surely. And I’d find it.
“You?”
“I’m not sure I should do it.” My fingers itched to pluck at my crown. The warmth of David’s hand covered mine right as I was about to reach up. His fingers interlaced with mine.
“I could teach you.” His offer sent a spark up my arm.
“You would teach me?” I studied his profile in the hunt for the catch. “You’re offering to teach me how to drive?”
“Of course.” He laughed a little at my disbelief. “Why not?”
“I don’t know. I just didn’t think you’d ever do something like that for me unprompted.”
David’s smile faded. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
“I’d do anything you’d ask.”
I scoffed. “How sweet. You’re a cute liar.”
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”
“Sure, with a lot of convincing, bribing, and guilt-tripping.”
“I like seeing you work for it. But don’t act like you don’t enjoy doing the same to me.”
“I…don’t…”
