“Do you like this car?” Tobias was watching me with an unreadable gaze.
“I mean… yeah,” I admitted. “It’s really nice.”
That felt like the safest possible answer.
“It’s comfortable,” he stated.
“I can see that,” I replied, settling further into my seat and becoming aware of how soft the upholstery was. “It’s kind of like sitting in a spaceship.”
His lips twitched almost imperceptibly. “I’m glad it’s acceptable.”
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, during which I pretended to look around some more, I commented, “I didn’t know you had a personal assistant.”
“Why would you know that?”
I struggled with a response until he lightly chuckled, making me realize he had a very weird sense of humor.
“Would you like a drink or snack?”
“Sure..?”
His lips twitched up again, and he reached over to a built-in mini fridge I’d missed. “Still or sparkling?”
“Uh… still, I think,” I stuttered. “That’s like… regular water, right?”
A short laugh left his mouth, and I flushed.
“Yes, I suppose it would be,” he answered before handing me a small glass bottle of cold water. Then he reached for a different compartment, opening it to reveal a cupboard of snacks.
I looked over the array with my brows raised. “Do you just keep the car stocked all the time?”
“No. The water is typically brought in by Ben before a drive.” He hesitated for a moment, then said, “I wanted to make sure you weren’t hungry on the way.”
He… he bought all of those snacks just for me?
Well, maybe he wanted to show that he’d be an accommodating boss.
“Thank you. I guess I’ll take the seaweed crisps then.”
“I thought you might like those.”
What? Did I have a particularly seaweed-y vibe going on or something?
As I took a sip of the water, he studied me, and I swore he was tracking the bob of my Adam’s apple.
I reminded myself of Emma’s words to me when I’d first become aware of Tobias.“He’s eccentric,”and“they’re all like that.”
I popped a piece of seaweed in my mouth, closing my eyes briefly in appreciation of the salty flavor.
“Have you told anyone where you’re going today?”
I almost choked. “Um. No? Should I have?”
“No,” he said. “I was simply curious.”
Riiiiiight…
“I mean,” I added quickly, just in case he was a serial killer. “I told my neighbor I was going out this afternoon. Just not… where.”
