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“Really, it’ll start,” she said.
“That’s good. Climb in and start it,” I said.
She looked up and down the road, already starting to shiver a little. “Okay, right. Yes, I’ll do that.”
She opened the door, wincing at the squeal it made and the rust that drifted down to litter the snow like dull flakes of blood. She climbed in, and I put my hand on the door so she couldn’t close it.
“Go ahead,” I said.
With a look of hopeful desperation, she turned the key. The car made a wheezing whine before dying. She grimaced and pumped the gas before turning the key again. This time, the car started, but the relief on her face disappeared when it belched out a cloud of black smoke and died again.
Chewing on her bottom lip again, she tried a third time. The car wheezed and groaned but didn’t start, and I leaned down. “It’s not going to start, Charlotte.”
She nodded and yanked out the key before stuffing it into her purse. “You’re right.”
She rubbed her forehead, and I said, “Did you want me to Google a tow truck company?”
She hesitated. “I don’t, uh, currently have the funds for a tow truck.”
“All right. Call an Uber, and I’ll wait with you until it comes,” I said.
“There’s a bus stop not far from here,” she said. “It’s only a five minute walk.”
I studied her. “Do you think I don’t know where the bus stops are in my neighbourhood, Charlotte?”
For the first time, she showed a little attitude. “I think you’re rich enough that you don’t have to worry about where the bus stops are in your neighbourhood.”
I was happy to see some fire from her. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was worried about how exhausted and stressed she looked.
“I know the closest one is back on the main road, and it’ll take at least an hour for you to walk to it. Call an Uber, Charlotte.”
Her lips thinned out, and she looked away.
“You don’t have enough money for an Uber?” I could hear the surprise in my voice, and two red spots appeared high on her cheeks. “How exactly are you planning on getting your car towed out of here?”
“It’s payday tomorrow,” she said before sliding out of her car and slamming the door shut. “Good night, Mr. Steele.”
I caught her arm as she started to march down the road. “Charlotte, wait.”
“I’m exhausted and want to go home,” she said.
“I’ll give you a ride home.”
She laughed a little bitterly. “That’s definitely against the rules, and I don’t want to be fired by the sisters.”
“I won’t tell them if you don’t,” I said.
She didn’t move, and I stepped closer, sliding my arm around her waist and pulling her against me. “I’m not asking, Charlotte. I’m telling you that I’m giving you a ride home. Now, be my good girl and get in the car.”
“Yes, Mr. Steele,” she said in defeat.
Half an hour later, I parked in front of an older apartment building in a section of town that wasn’t quite the bad part but bordered it more closely than I liked. I shut off the car as Charlotte unbuckled her seatbelt. “Thank you so much for the ride home, Mr. Steele.”
“You’re welcome.”
She opened her door and looked startled when I did the same. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’ll walk you to the lobby,” I said.
