Page 10 of Keeping Collette

“Sure.” What was the point in arguing with him or trying to say she’d stay where she was and wait for him, when he’d only dig his heels in? “Did you want to drive?”

From past experience she’d found that guys tended not to like being driven places.

His eyes widened a fraction, as if her question surprised him. “No. Why would I?”

“I don’t know, I just figured, you’re a guy and most guys like to be in control, and being a passenger puts you in a vulnerable position.”

“Not sure who you’ve driven with to make you think that, but I’m totally fine with you driving. Besides, it’s your car, I would never presume that I had the authority to drive it over you.”

“Oh, okay.” This man was surprising her with every moment they spent together. Every guy she’d dated in the past had always insisted on driving. At first she’d thought it was romantic, but when there were times it made more sense for her to drive, they balked at the idea.

They got in, and she was conscious of him taking up a lot of space in her small car. “Sorry, it’s a bit cramped,” she muttered as she started the engine.

Deal chuckled. “All good. Let me just push the seat back a bit and it’ll be fine.”

Collette doubted it. She drove a Mini, and even with the seat pushed back, Deal was still going to have his knees practically around his neck. At least it was only a short trip.

Once he was settled, she checked the traffic and pulled out. “It’s a Saturday, why is there a traffic jam?” she asked, when they hadn’t gone that far and were at a standstill.

“It’s LA, there’s always a traffic jam. Luckily, it’s only a short drive to the entrance of the building’s parking garage.”

Thank goodness that was the case, because in the close confines of her car, she was more conscious of Deal than she had been when she’d held his hand as they caught the elevator back to his office.

The traffic began to move, and soon she was turning into the driveway for the underground parking garage. He directed her to where his car was parked—a large SUV; the perfect type of car for someone who worked in security. It was dark gray and had tinted windows.

She parked next to it and kept the engine running, expecting him to get out so that he could stretch out his cramped muscles, only he didn’t move. “Is everything okay?” Was he having second thoughts about dinner?

It would hurt her if he did, but she wouldn’t let him know that. She’d smile and nod and tell him it was perfectly fine that he didn’t want to spend time with her.

“I was going to ask if instead of following me, you’d like me to drive us, as it might be easier because parking’s not great near the restaurant. But then I remembered what you said about men always wanting to be in the driver’s seat. So…” He ran his fingers through his hair.

Was he nervous?

How could a man who’d been a special forces operative, and now worked for a security company doing goodness knows what, be nervous around her? A mere assistant to a celebrity chef. She was the least intimidating person in the world.

But the fact he’d listened to what she’d said and hadn’t dismissed it as frivolous conversation, meant a lot.

Having her own car would give her a certain amount of independence should things go south while they were at dinner, which she didn’t think could happen, but anything was possible. He could chew with his mouth open. Or shovel food in until his cheeks were rounded like a chipmunk.

A snort escaped as the image of Deal with distended cheeks flashed in her mind.

“Sorry. It was a dumb idea. I’ll get out and we’ll go separately.” Deal went to grab the door handle, and she placed her hand on his arm.

“No. I wasn’t laughing at what you said.” Mortification filled her that she was messing this up. Even though they’d gotten off on the wrong foot, Deal had been the one to seek her out and apologize for what he’d said. After that moment, he’d been nothing but considerate with her. Even now, he was giving her what he thought she needed. “I was laughing at a silly thought I had.” And no way was she about to tell him what it was. “I think,” she switched off her motor, “that going in one car makes sense, especially if it’s hard to get parking like you said it was.”

“Are you sure? Your car will be safe here, and I promise you there will be no risk of a parking ticket.” He winked, and another laugh bubbled out of her.

“Good to know. And yes, I’m sure.”

“Okay then. Let’s go.” He opened the door, and she swore she heard a groan of relief when he was upright.

Collette grabbed her purse and got out, locking the car before slipping her keys into her bag.

A spark of excitement ignited low in her belly. It had been a long time since she’d been on a date—not that this was a date per se—but she was having dinner with a handsome man.

Her thoughts should be on her sister, and they were, but she could have this one night where she could pretend that everything was fine in her world. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and the reality of her missing sister would come crashing down.

Chapter Six