She looks up at the clouds, taking her time mulling over her answer.
“Well, since you’re already here…”
She elbows me gently, and heads over to the passenger side.
Slipping behind the wheel, I can’t stop grinning.
Carrie’s something else, that’s for sure. She’s so bizarrely herself. My initial reason for approaching her back at the start of the year seems like a distant memory. Even if Amelia is still lodged somewhere in the back of my mind, spending time with my love coach softens that frustration buzzing under my skin.
It’s too early to brag about any transformation, but I’m starting to feel like I’m heading in the right direction.
“Why’d you turn off your phone?” I ask as I back us out.
“Weekend reading challenge, remember? I just felt like… hiding away from the world.”
She takes a sharp breath in, and it occurs to me she’s not being totally honest with me. I’m curious, but at the same time, I’m not too sure how to handle this. Part of me wants to find out more about her, but she doesn’t ever give me much to work with. She’s straightforward and complicated at the same time. A whole personal challenge.
“You got class today?”
“Only in the afternoon.” She sighs again. “Today’s the day we start our end-of-year projects.”
“What’s your major?”
She turns to me, surprised, like she didn’t expect me to give a crap.
“The short version is I’m studying graphic design.”
“Like marketing stuff?”
“Basically.” A flicker of impatience flits over her features. “Why are you here, Donovan?”
Apparently my Monday-morning good deed is suspicious behavior in her book.
“I’m free until ten thirty.” I shrug. “So I thought I’d come grab you.”
“Not literally, right? Because if you were planning on pinning me to a service station wall or something…”
“Breaking news!” I yell out the window in my best news anchor voice. “Carrie Wolinski just made an inappropriate joke!”
“Oh my God!”
She grabs hold of my T-shirt and pulls me back into my seat, and I glance at her, smirking as she flips me the finger.
“I appreciate that you remembered the whole wall thing,” I say smugly. “Hold that thought—you’re gonna need it later.”
“Don’t tell me you were serious.”
“Oh, I was definitely serious. But you’ll need to be patient.” I pull a face. “I’m not having post-Greyhound sex. Who knows what germs you’re carrying.”
“My disappointment is immeasurable,” she says, wiping a fake tear. “I was so looking forward to watching your confidence crumble.”
“Poor, sweet, innocent Carrie.” I shake my head. “Once you’ve cleaned up, I’ll show you exactly what you’ve been missing. And then…” My voice trails off.
“And then what?”
“Keeping the mystery alive for now.”
She laughs, then goes quiet as she turns to look out the window.
