Page 94 of Drive

“And my favorite movie . . . It’s a tie betweenPulp FictionandXanadu.”

“Xanadu,” he said on a whisper before he gave me wide eyes. “That piece of shit? The eighties movie?”

“Hey! Olivia Newton-John is one of my idols. Olivia Newton-John in an off-the-shoulder dress with knee socks on roller skates makes her a goddess! Don’t hate onXanadu.”

“That movie is older than you are!”

“It has the best soundtrack, ever!”

“LAME,” Nate said with a chuckle.

“Well,” I shrugged, “what can I say? I have an old soul.”

“Lame soul.”

“But you know the movie,” I pointed out, sipping my Dr. Pepper.

“I have an older sister and was forced to watch that shit,” he said, pulling on his beer.

“I may never forgive you if you say it’s shit again.”

He rubbed his bottom lip, drawing my attention to it before I darted my eyes away.

“There are roller skates in your apartment. I’m willing to bet my paper on it.”

I shrugged. “Halloween costume.”

“And not a single person knew who you were!”

“The parents did!” I defended. “Well, a few of the moms.”

“Oh, Stella—” he chuckled as our food was set before us “—you are something special.”

“Act accordingly,” I warned.

“Oh, I’m trying,” he said as he gripped his sandwich and took a bite. “Shit, that’s good,” he mouthed around a mouthful. “Eat.”

“Yes, boss.” I took a bite and moaned in surprise. “That’s delicious.”

“God, so good. Ma’am—” Nate pointed to his sandwich, grabbing the attention of our Nate-thirsty waitress “—I’ll have another.”

“Two?” I asked, eyeing the sandwich he had left.

“Always ask for more of a good thing, Stella. Never know when you’ll have it again.”

“Pfft,” I said, taking a sip of my Dr. Pepper. “Is that your life advice?”

“No, I’ve got better.”

“You going to get all preachy on me every time we’re together?” I wrinkled my nose. “Play big brother?”

“Hell no,” he said with warning. “That’s twisted considering I’m wondering what you look like with your panties on my floor.” He tore off another bite of his sandwich, that discussion tabled as I tore off a piece of pita bread and popped it into my mouth.

Nate chuckled.

“What?”

But I already knew the answer.