Page 10 of Take the Wheel

‘Because I need you?’ Ari said, with more than a little hope in her voice.

The sincerity threw Nancy for a loop, and she simply stared, open-mouthed, for a second.

Ari laughed suddenly and loudly, clearly uncomfortable with her own honesty. ‘Think of it as… an entertaining way to kill time,’ she said, in a much more Ari way.

Nancy still didn’t know what to say and decided not to say anything, trying to process this mad proposition.

Ari wouldn’t have Nancy’s silence. ‘I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that you feel you have to do what I’m asking because I’m your boss.’

Nancy raised an eyebrow. ‘Your mother is technically—’

‘So I want toassureyou that this is totally your call. No repercussions if you say no. But you’re not gonna, right?’ she asked, a tad nervously.

Nancy sighed, crossing her arms. ‘Why do I feel like you’re not telling me everything?’

Ari groaned. ‘Fine. I’llpayyou. Would a couple of grand swing it?’ she asked. ‘Call it five?’

Nancy paused. This was a mistake. Itfeltlike a mistake. But Ari was looking at her like she was already halfway to a yes, and, worst of all, Nancy had the creeping feeling she was right.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘This is a terrible idea.’

‘But?’ Ari prompted.

Nancy sighed. ‘But I’llthinkabout it.’

Nine

The car was silent. Not the comfortable kind.

Ari had tried to break it once or twice, but Nancy wasn’t biting. She just gripped the wheel, eyes on the road, jaw tight. The muscles in her forearms flexed every time she shifted gears, and her shoulders hadn’t relaxed since they’d set off. Even her hat looked pissy.

Ari couldn’t read the tension. Was she looking like that because she was gonna say yes and she was angry about that? Or was she annoyed that she was in an awkward position that left her with no choice but to say no?

Ari decided to proceed from positivity. She would plan for the best.

Edinburgh designer dress shops,she googled.

She scrolled, flicking through photos. Too formal. Too frilly. Toonot Nancy.

After she’d found something that seemed like it could work, she went back to watching the front of the car. Nancy didn’t meet her eyes in the rearview. Ari cleared her throat. Nancy didn’t say anything. Ari cleared again. Nancy remained silent.

Ari wasn’t used to waiting. Or rather, she wasn’t used to waitinglike this, without knowing which way things were going to land. Normally, she could tell. Or she could push until it went the way she wanted.

This was different. Ari couldn’t pressure Nancy. She was in a tough spot with their working relationship and Ari didn’t want to bethatkind of spoiled little rich girl, throwing her toys away for disappointing her.

Plus, people like Nancy were not easy to find. Her vibe soothed Ari. She couldn’t afford to jeopardise that. There were plenty of people who could drive Ari. But making her feel comfortable was not something you could tick off.

The road signs for Edinburgh were getting more frequent. The last major stop before they hit the wedding venue. Her window was closing.

Ari glanced sideways. ‘You’re very quiet.’

Nancy sighed. ‘I’m thinking.’

‘Sounds painful.’

Nancy didn’t bite. She just exhaled through her nose, fingers tightening slightly around the wheel.

Ari tilted her head. ‘Are you going to answer soon?’

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