Page 13 of Driving Beats

I tuck my sunglasses into the top of my t-shirt. “When you describe it that way, I can definitely tell you no, they don’t fit such a description at all.”

“Good. Then I’m happy for Jenna and Hayden.”

I concur. “As I am for Bennett and Río.”

The hostess approaches to let us know our table is ready now. We follow her to a place near the wall of windows, which sets Nese off in another direction about how gorgeous LA appears.

“Trust me, it’s not all this beautiful. However, I do agree, this is a pretty view.” I pick up the menu and review it while my companion goes on and on about how much she’s enjoying seeing LA.

The waiter comes and I order curry puffs to start, followed by salad with their delicious ginger dressing, and Pad Thai. The server looks to Nese. “Oh. My turn? I haven’t looked, but his order sounds good.” She holds up two fingers. “Double it.” With a nod, he leaves.

“You should’ve told him you needed more time to decide what you want to order.”

“What for? Yours sounded good to me.”

All of a sudden, the weight of responsibility descends. “I certainly think so. I hope you enjoy it.”

She waves her hand. “I’m adventurous. I like to try new things.”

“This, right there, is the difference between us. I prefer to stick to my lane.”

“Where’s the fun in that? Life is meant to be explored!”

The curry puffs come and I pour each one of us tea. For a brief moment, she’s quiet as she tastes the appetizer. She chews it, tilts her head in several different ways, and follows it up with tea. “Yummy!”

For some reason, her decision about the food calms me. “I’m glad you like it.”

When she finishes the small plate, she rubs her now silent stomach. “Thanks for introducing me to something new. I never would’ve known about curry puffs, but for you.” She holds her fist out across the table.

Does she mean for me to bump it? Tentatively, I bring my fist to hers. After we touch, she opens her hand and shakes it for good measure.

“Guess you’re not such an old fart after all.”

I rear back. Río said she was twenty. Is this how all the kids act nowadays? I better get a grip on her age, once and for all. “Stop calling me old. I’m the same age as the rest of the band. What are you? Like ten?”

She raises the teacup to her lips. “I’ll have you know I turned twenty-four on May twenty-fourth, which makes me a Gemini. Meaning, I possess a dynamic and multifaceted nature, boundless curiosity, intellectual prowess, social charm, adaptability, and versatile communication skills.” She takes a sip. “All that to say, I’m pretty awesome. What are you?” She scans me. “Aquarius?”

“What’s wrong with Aquarius?”

“Ah-ha! I was right! You are an Aquarius! When were you born?”

“February eighth.” I’m relieved when our salad course arrives, and dig in.

She sticks the tines of her fork into the salad dressing and pops it into her mouth. “Oh, this is good too!” She dumps the entire ramekin over her entire plate. After chewing the lettuce slathered in the ginger dressing, she returns to my horoscope. “Well, people born under the sign of Aquarius generally lack social skills. It explains a lot.”

“Stop it. I have plenty of social skills.” I spear more salad. “When they’re warranted.”

“I rest my case.”

“Perhaps I don’t want to waste my limited resources on people who don’t appreciate them.”

“Okay. Sure.”

We eat our salads in silence, which makes me feel worse. I degraded into a teenager with her. So not cool. Dropping my fork on the empty plate, I continue the conversation. “What were your plans for UC’s break before Luke co-opted them?”

“You consider what I’m doing helping?” She eats the last bit of her salad.

“Well, I don’t have any clothes, so I have no choice but to admit you’re helping me replace them.”