“I think you’re safer at my place. Can you drive?” He picked up his fork and shoveled into his burrito.
“Like do I know how? Or can I physically do it?”
“Both.”
“I’m pretty sure I could. Good thing it’s my left arm that’s broken, otherwise probably not. And if I lived in a car, I must have known how to drive it,” she said with a smile. “Holly told me I walk to work, take the light rail to school, and borrow Ashley’s car when I need one. Oh, and there’s a valid driver’s license in my wallet…I forgot about that. So yeah, I know how. I just don’t have a car.”
“What if I let you borrow mine? You could drive it to work once you find out your work schedule, and then for school, you could drive to the light rail station, park it there, and take the train to campus. I hear parking on campus is a huge pain anyway.”
“You would let me do that?”
“Sure. On days I work, I drive my patrol car, so the Jeep just sits in the driveway. How about you try driving home?”
“From downtown? No way! Maybe you drive us to somewhere more remote, and I’ll try. You’d really let me borrow your car?”
“Let’s take a practice run, and we’ll see. If you feel comfortable and you’re not a danger to yourself or others, I’m fine with it.” He laughed. “If you’re a menace, I’ll tell you.”
“Are you this nice to everyone?” She tilted her head and gave him a pensive stare, as if trying to get a read on him.
“I mean, I try. I’m usually pretty easygoing, but I can get irritated easily.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
Uh oh. “Um, sure?”
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend? Or a wife?”
He sighed. “I just haven’t felt the need to settle down yet.” That was an honest answer. “I haven’t really met anyone that would make me consider it.”Except maybe you.
“Oh, okay. Just wondering.”
Hm. That was easy. Bullet dodged.
“You about finished?” he asked, laying his napkin next to his plate and taking a final sip of his iced tea.
“Yeah. I’m a little nervous about the driving thing. What if I suck?”
“I’ll tell you and hide the keys.”
“I feel like I’m taking over your life, Jake. Living in your house, borrowing your car, depending on you for food and safety. I don’t like feeling so helpless…even if I am.”
“I understand, but I want you to know it’s not a bother to me. I enjoy having you around.”
He drove to a warehouse that was closed for the evening. The parking lot was huge and more or less empty. “You ready?” he asked, unbuckling his seatbelt. He turned off the car and handed her the keys.
They switched spots, and after she adjusted the seat and mirrors, she started the car. “So far, so good.” She looked over at him and smiled. He nodded.
She put the car in drive and let her foot off the brake. “This feels different but not completely foreign,” she said. “I probably just don’t drive very often.”
Pushing on the gas lightly, they surged forward. It didn’t take her long to feel comfortable in the parking lot.
“Time to hit the open road,” he said. “You ready for some street action?”
She wiped her good hand on her pant leg. “Yeah, let’s do this.” Putting the car in drive again, she headed toward the parking lot exit. At the street entrance, she flicked the blinker to indicate a right turn and looked at him expectantly. He shook his head and pointed in the opposite direction.
“Damn it. I may be able to drive, but I don’t know how to get anywhere. Thank God for map apps.” She switched the blinker and turned left.
“I have to warn you,” he said, gripping the door handle. “I’m not a very good passenger. I’m used to always being in the driver’s seat and get carsick when I’m not. Also, I may turn out to be a horrible passenger seat driver. Don’t take it personally.”
