Page 16 of Take the Wheel

‘You look like you were born into it.’ Ari’s gaze flicked over her, assessing. ‘Like you summer on yachts and complain about the temperature of your beluga caviar.’

Nancy scoffed. ‘I don’t even like caviar.’

‘Exactly.’ Ari smirked. ‘The ultimate rich-person move. Being indifferent to expensive things.’

Nancy rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t ignore the way Ari’s approval relaxed her. She didn’t want Ari to feel like Nancy was showing her up.

Ari opened the back door and went to get in. Nancy cleared her throat. Ari laughed. ‘Ah. Of course.’ She shut the door and went to the front passenger side.

‘Try again,’ Nancy said.

Ari’s smile slipped. ‘What?’

‘I was thinkingyoushould drive.’

Ari barked out a laugh, shaking her head. ‘Sure. Or maybe I could sprout wings and fly us there?’

‘Youcandrive?’ Nancy checked.

Ari raised an eyebrow. ‘Technically.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I got my license. But once I had it, I never used it,’ Ari explained.

‘Then why did you get it?’ Nancy asked.

‘I just wanted to know I could,’ Ari admitted. ‘But why would I…’.

Nancy leaned against the car, spinning the keys on her finger. ‘I need to get in fancy person mode. I can’t do that when I’m driving.’

‘OK…’ Ari said, suspicious.

‘And I could do with a driving break,’ she admitted. ‘My back hurts a bit.’

‘I see,’ Ari replied. ‘Well, since you put it that way…’

Nancy’s grin widened. ‘Yes?’

‘I need to keep my date happy,’ Ari said. ‘But I’m not a chauffeur, remember? If I’m driving, it’ll be onmyterms.’

‘Deal.’

Ari smiled faintly. ‘Just remember, whatever happens… This wasyouridea.’

Nancy’s grin faltered ever so slightly. ‘I mean, how bad could it be?’

Fourteen

The car lurched forward with all the grace of a startled deer. Nancy braced herself, one hand gripping the door, the other pressed into the centre console as Ari wrestled the vehicle into submission. It was a battle she was very clearly losing.

‘Alright,’ Nancy said, forcing a calmness she absolutely did not feel. ‘Nice and easy. No sudden moves.’

Ari’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel. ‘I know how to drive, Nancy.’

‘Doyou?’

‘We’re moving, aren’t we?’

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