Page 31 of Final Drive

The server comes back for our orders, which buys Reese a moment to put her face back together, though the flush has already climbed her neck. We order, the server goes, and Margot waits until he’s out of the room before she starts again.

“Reese tells us you’re quite focused,” she says. “She mentioned you see things differently than most people.”

“I’m autistic,” I say.

Margot’s expression shifts before she catches it.

“It isn’t a secret, Mrs. Callahan.”

“Of course not.” She touches the stem of her water glass. “Reese only mentioned that you see things a little differently.”

“I do.” I take a drink. “For example, the two of you have asked me three questions about myself tonight, and not one of them because you wanted the answer.”

Reese goes very still beside me.

Margot smiles. “And what do you think we wanted?”

“To find out whether I’d embarrass easily.” I set the glass down. “I don’t.”

For the first time tonight, her smile slips.

James clears his throat. “I’m sure Margot was only trying to get to know you.”

“Then I’m happy to start over.”

Reese makes a sound that could be a cough if I hadn’t spent enough time with her to know she’s trying not to laugh.

Margot looks at her. “Something funny?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so.”

That kills the almost-laugh, and I dislike her more for that than I did for trying to embarrass me.

The appetizers arrive. Margot moves us onto weather, campus news, a charity gala she’s chairing, and every few minutes she slides another blade in sideways. A remark about Reese’s choices. A question about whether the team is really the right fit. Nothing anyone at the next table could identify as cruel, which is clearly the point.

Then she examines her salad with great care. “Speaking of the team. How is the new dorm room? You never did send photographs after the move.”

Reese’s fork stops halfway up. “It’s fine.”

“Funny. I called the housing office last week to confirm your meal plan, and they mentioned you’ve barely swiped into the dining hall all semester.” Margot’s smile arrives fully formed. “They also said your keycard hasn’t been used at the residence hall in weeks.”

I watch the pulse jump in Reese’s throat.

“Where exactly have you been sleeping, sweetheart?” James asks, in the voice of a man who already has the answer.

“With the team.” Reese lifts her chin. “I didn’t feel safe in the new dorm either.”

“So your solution to being stalked was to move in with eight men.” Margot sets her fork down. “And you didn’t think to mention it.”

“Would you have listened? Or would you have used it to drag me back to Westlake?”

Neither of them answers.

An older couple appears in the doorway before Margot can recover, and the change in her is immediate.

“Bill! Jessica!” She rises and air-kisses both of them. “How lovely.”