Page 18 of Drive

“It’s close, quiet, convenient.”

“Deserted.”

He redirected, “What are you doing here?”

It was a loaded question. “Waiting.”

“On?”

“My sister. She’s working a few blocks away at The Plate Bar.” I chuckled to myself as he furrowed his brows at me. The question on my tongue, I took a sip of my fresh beer and asked what was on the forefront of my mind the second I entered his office.

“How did you get there? You can’t be more than twenty-four?”

“Twenty-six, and it’s my paper. You obviously didn’t do much homework.”

“It was a last-minute decision to come see you.”

He glanced at my soaked shirt. “I can see that.”

“Still would have worn this shirt,” I retorted.

“Now I’m even more convinced I did right bynothiring you.”

We clinked bottles and shared a smile. “You’re an ass. Why start your own paper?”

“For the same reason you got hit hard with the door today. I wanted it bad enough and I was tired of walking in circles. I’m doing it my way. This month will only be the ninth circulation.”

“Oh, wow. That new?”

He nodded.

“That’s kind of inspiring.”

“It won’t be if I have to close up shop, but worth the risk if it starts to take off.”

“Well,” I said before chugging my beer like I was at a frat party, “I wish you luck, though your talent is about to walk out the door.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” he said as he gripped my wrist and pulled it so I was forced to sit again.

“What’s that?”

“Keep writing like I did hire you, and in six months, if I read your stuff and I like it, I’ll buy a set of columns for a test run. But you’ll need to start covering locally and get familiar with the clubs.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah, I like your style. I read two more of your articles when you left.”

It was my first real smile of the day. “Which ones?”

“‘Beastie Theory’ and ‘Jane’s Abduction.’ I was going to call you tomorrow and make the same offer.”

“Glad you made it in person.” I couldn’t hold my smile.

“Yeah, me, too.” Nate watched me carefully before he spoke next.

“Do you have someone?”

His question caught me off guard. “Someone?”