“Well, shit,” he said, as if stunned by the news. I couldn’t tell if he was highly impressed by my work ethic or frustrated for being dragged into Animal Planet in the first place.
Encouraged by the smile that broke free from its confines, I relaxed and said, “I’m going to add it to my marketing flyers—‘Saves animals from raging infernos.’ If there are any houses left standing, I’ll be the most popular pet sitter in the county.”
“No fucking doubt. Shit, I’d hire you… if I had pets to save, that is.”
Suddenly Bodhi didn’t seem as intimidating as I’d made him out to be. Still flawed? Oh yes, that much I was convinced of, but he knew how to hide his inner turmoil well and transform himself into your average, everyday hot guy.
“I guess I should extend the same condolences to you,” I said, employing my gift for gab to keep the conversation going. It didn’t work.
Bodhi seemed confused, and eyed me questioningly.
“I’m sorry about your house,” I clarified.
“Oh.” He exhaled. “I was trying to figure out who died. No, it wasn’t my place either. I was house-sitting.”
Now it was my turn to gape in surprise. What were the chances of us both being supporting players in this natural disaster?
“Well check us out!” My voice tipped up in amusement. “We’re a couple of squatters.”
He laughed. “I guess we are.”
“So… are you as good at your job as I am?”
“Huh?”
“Did you save the house?”
A mischievous grin swept over his face. “Do Ilooklike I saved the house?”
The soot and grime clinging to his skin answered the question, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“In that case, my suggestion would be to omit that unsavory piece of information from your flyer.”
“Ya think?”
Suddenly I was feeling pretty good about the burgeoning connection I was making with my survival buddy.
“Hey,” he said. “Can I ask you a favor?”
A favor? Like I’d say no. Pretty much, at this point, he could ask me to wade through the LA county sewer system after Thanksgiving and I’d say ‘pretty please.’
“Of course. Anything.”
“Can you drive for me?”
It wasn’t what I’d been expecting, but certainly driving him around was preferable to a sewer stomp. Still, I was slightly bummed I couldn’t be of more service. “Sure, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just not feeling real good.”
Bodhi walked around to the passenger side while I took my place in the driver’s seat, settling into the leather interior. Wow, my butt was instantly pampered in the plushness of my upgraded ride. Perhaps I’d been too busy escaping certain doom to have noticed the luxury before but now I was making up for lost time. I finally understood the hoopla surrounding this car. It was like a gigantic slice of billowy angel food cake cushioning my backside. Had Bodhi not been beside me, I probably would have groaned in pleasure like the vehicularly-deprived hillbilly I was. But thankfully I’d been given just enough upbringing to fake my way through upscale situations.
Reaching for the key, I quickly realized there wasn’t one, just a ‘start’ button on the dashboard. Well, slap me cross-eyed! What the hell was this, black magic? First the ‘fairy godmother’ enchanted trunk and now this. Wide-eyed, I brushed my fingers over the button, marveling at the science fiction of it all.
Sidetracked by my new alien spacecraft, I hadn’t noticed Bodhi staring at me questioningly from the passenger side seat. Clearly, he wasn’t convinced of my ability to pilot the thing. I flashed him my most trustworthy smile letting Bodhi know that, yes, I could be counted on to deliver him safely to his desired destination. But much like a rescue pup exploring her new forever home, I just needed a few uninterrupted moments to acclimate myself to my new surroundings.
Skeptical but patient, Bodhi allowed me the benefit of the doubt and smiled encouragingly before covertly checking his seatbelt to confirm it was securely in place. If he was expecting fireworks, I didn’t disappoint.
Reaching for the button, I confidently pressed it with my index finger as I stepped on the gas pedal. The engine revved with intensity, filling the cab with a high-pitched grinding noise. Cringing, I glanced over at my passenger hoping he hadn’t noticed my blunder, but the smile on his face told me he had.
