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I reached for my phone to Google a tow truck. I’d have the car towed to a mechanic and then Uber home. I heard a car stop behind me, and I turned, helpless to stop my happy grin when I saw Riley in her crappy car.
She rolled down her window. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I said. “I thought you’d already left for the day.”
“I was helping Amanda with something at her desk. It took us a little longer than we thought. So,” she leaned her arm against the window and smiled cheekily, “your new and expensive car is giving you some trouble, huh?”
I laughed. “Yes. It started but then died, and I have no idea about cars and their possible reasons for mechanical failure. Do you?”
“Nope,” she said. “Did you call for a tow truck?”
“I was about to,” I said. “Then I’m Ubering home and drinking a lot of beer. Unless you’d like to be a knight in shining armor and offer me a ride home?”
She laughed. “You called Marvin a death trap. Are you sure you want a ride from him?”
What I really wanted was Riley to ride me in my large and comfortable bed, but I’d settle for sitting in a car with her - even if it were a rolling death trap.
“I’m willing to take the risk,” I said.
She patted the side of the car. “Well, hop in then, and I’ll ferry you home, good sir.”
“So kind, m’lady,” I said as I slammed the hood shut, grabbed my briefcase from the front seat, and climbed into her car.
As Riley drove toward my place, I called a tow truck and a mechanic and arranged to tow the car first thing tomorrow morning. I tucked my phone into my coat pocket as Riley turned down the road to my house.
As her car chugged up the steep hill just before my house, I said, “I’m even more worried about you making it to my house for play sessions now that I’m in your car.”
“Don’t listen to him, Marvin.” Riley patted the dashboard. “He’s just jealous because you’re so cool.”
“Oh yes, I definitely wish I had a,” I squinted at the dashboard, “tape deck in my car. Christ, how old is this car?”
She laughed. “There’s been a tape stuck in it since I bought him. You’ll never guess what it plays on repeat.”
“On the road again,” I said.
She snorted laughter. “No, you dork. ‘I Will Survive’.”
Now, it was my turn to laugh. “That seems appropriate for Marvin.”
“Doesn’t it?” She patted the dashboard again as the car crested the hill with a laborious whine.
Despite my trepidation about whether we’d make it to my house, we pulled into the driveway five minutes later. She stopped in front of the door, smiling cheerfully at me. “See, I told you Marvin would get you home safe.”
“Sure, but will he get you back home?” I asked. “You should probably come in for a while. Give Marvin time to rest and recuperate before he drives you home.”
Her soft smile was barely visible in the growing gloom. “It does seem like it might be a bit much for him.”
“It is,” I said. “So, come in, and I’ll make you dinner.”
“I’m still stuffed from lunch,” she said.
“I’ll make something light.” I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Say yes, Riley.”
“Yes, Riley,” she said before grinning and shutting off the car.
We climbed out, and I hustled her into the house, partly because of how fucking cold it was and partly because I didn’t want to give her the chance to change her mind.
We removed our jackets and boots, and Riley followed me into the kitchen, sliding onto the stool like she belonged there as I took off my suit jacket, draped it over a stool and opened the fridge. “Would you like a beer?”
