Page 39 of Pucking Around

I wander over, giving Sy’s leash another soft tug. He trots along happily. I step up to her window and tap.

She jumps, one hand flying to her chest, as she rolls down the window. “Ohmygod, you scared me half to death! Don’t you know you’re not supposed to sneak up on a woman in a parking lot?”

“I was right here the whole time,” I reply with a shrug. “You just weren’t paying attention to your surroundings.”

“Still,” she mutters, her hand going back on the wheel.

“Sooo…what are you doing in there, Hurricane?”

She narrows her dark eyes at me. “If I tell you, you’ll just mock me.”

I raise both hands, one wrist wrapped up in Sy’s leash. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She sighs. “Fine. I’m hyping myself up.”

I raise a brow. “What?”

“I may be a little bit nervous about driving this truck,” she admits. “I’m just not used to it yet,” she adds quickly.

“Why did you pick something so big if—”

“I didn’t,” she huffs. “I—it was the only option, apparently. Vicki said they got a deal.”

“Youdoknow how to drive, right? Like, you’re legally licensed to operate a motorized vehicle?”

“Yes, Caleb,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “I’m a grown woman, a full medical doctor, and I have a driver’s license, okay? I just—” She goes silent, both hands still clutching the wheel.

“You just…what?”

“Ugh,fine! I’m just not a very confident driver, okay? I hate driving, and I’m not good at it. Some people are good driver’s and I’m just—I’m not. The gene totally skipped me,” she adds under her breath with a sniff.

Oh shit, is she about to fucking cry again?

“I’m sure you’re fine,” I say, shifting on my feet. I should walk away now. She’s clearly got this under control. Nothing to see here, folks.

She laughs, but it sounds weird. It’s too high and squeaky. “Oh yeah, I’m great. Super safe and reliable. I only failed my driver’s testthreetimes!”

“You—threetimes? How is that even possible—”

“Hey, Iacedmy MCAT, thank you very much!” she snaps. “Driving is hard for some people. And I never had to learn growing up.”

“Where the hell did you live that you didn’t need to drive?”

“I always had a driver,” she says with a shrug.

I put the pieces together and grin. “Oh…shit. Hurricane, are you a silver spoon girl?”

She glances sharply over at me before dropping her gaze back to the wheel. “More like multi-platinum.”

“Rachel—”

“I’m fine, Caleb. I’m a big girl with a big freakin’ truck. I’d just maybe wait a few minutes before following me on the road,” she adds. “You know, for your own safety.”

Making the decision I should have made three minutes go, I shrug. “Why don’t I just drive you to work?”

Her gaze darts back over to me. “No.”

“Why not? We’re going to the same place. It’s better this way. More eco-friendly.”