Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,18
it sounded complimentary.”
“Listen, I have to go to work. Check and see if the car runs.”
“Would you prefer if I drove you?” I took one last chance. She had seemed impressed.
She eyed the car longingly, but shook her head.
“Maybe another time. I will follow.” I unhooked the battery, closed the hood, and got in.
“I changed my mind.” She jumped into the passenger seat. “Don’t back into my car on the way out.”
“Have no fear. I would prefer not to hurt my car.” I closed my door.
“You talk funny.”
“And here I thought you were polite.”
She put a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, I can’t place your accent. It’s not southern, so I doubt you’re originally from anywhere near here, but you speak so formally.”
“I talk the way I talk.” I slowly backed out of the garage. Once outside on the driveway I got out and manually closed the garage door.
“Sorry for being nosy. I got on your case for it, and here I am doing the same to you.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you accepted the ride.” I fell back into the local way of speaking. Some of it was part of my natural speech now anyway. Maybe it would make her more comfortable, and she would stop asking so many questions.
“WHY?” She watched me as I drove down the street. Driving was one of those things you never forget, but it still took some getting used to again.
“Because I enjoy your company.”
“My company or someone’s company?”
“Yours. I generally don’t enjoy being around people.”
“You’re anti-social?”
“That is one way to describe it.”
“I am too.”
“Yeah? Even with all the dating?”
She laughed. “All the dating. Tonight is my first one in months.” She stopped. “Meaning my date with Brad, obviously this isn’t a date.”
“Obviously.”
“You need to turn up here. Turn right.”
“Got it.”
“How long has it been since you were last in Charleston?” She watched me carefully.
“A few years. Things have changed a little, but not much.”
“You mean aside from the growth of the frozen yogurt industry?”
I laughed. “Exactly.”
“Ok, it’s up ahead on the right.”
“Oh, this is where Ice Cream Mountain is.”
“You mean was. Yogurt Love took over the same spot.”
“So no more super chocolate shakes?”
“We have shakes.”
“But not super chocolate?” I had grown to like the rich treats during my time there.
“Not exactly.”
“Too bad.”
“Ours is lower in fat and higher in nutrients.”
“And that means what to me?” I brushed a stray hair off her shoulder.
She seemed surprised by my action, but she said nothing about it. “So you naturally stay that fit?”
“Glad you think I look fit.”
“You don’t have an ounce of fat on you.” She gestured to me.
“You look great too.” Her body was both lean and athletic. She was soft yet strong. Perfect really.
“Whatever.” She looked out the window.
I pulled into the parking lot. “Ready for work?”
“Are you really coming in with me?”
“I will be here to drive you home.”
“You don’t actually have to stay. Brad and I are going for coffee.”
“And you want him to drive you anywhere? We can set up a meeting place before I leave.” Unless I was reading things completely wrong she would prefer my driving. “I might leave for a while, but not before I try some of this low fat high nutritional value stuff you have been selling me on.”
She laughed. “You make it sound bad.” She did not comment on my offer to drive her.
“I am simply repeating what you said.”
“It sounds different when you say it.”
“Are we back to the way I talk again?”
“No. It just sounds different coming from you.” She opened the door. “Thanks for the ride by the way. This car is awesome.”
“You haven’t seen what it can really do. We will have to go out in the country if you want to see the full effect.”
“Maybe.” She got out.
I got out and locked the car. I refused to lose it less than twenty minutes after getting it again. She led us to the front door of a colorful shop. I held open the door and followed her inside. The small space was covered in large posters advertising the nutritional properties of the food. Who wants a dessert like that? I kept my thoughts to myself as we walked in.
“Wait here.” She gestured to a table.
I listened. There was no reason to start an argument over nothing.
Ainsley walked over to the counter and started a conversation with the person working. He walked around and looked at me questioningly before heading for the door.
I waited for him to leave before continuing to