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More surprising than needing to dress up was the car waiting for me when it came time to leave my apartment. It was sleek and black, and the driver was an older man with a friendly smile waiting for me when I slid into the back.
“I hope you know where we’re going,” I told him, resisting the urge to adjust the tie. The damn thing had taken me almost half an hour to get perfectly tied, and I didn’t want to drag out another YouTube tutorial while I was in the backseat.
“Don’t you worry about that. Mr. Perkins took care of it all,” he told me with a smile before pulling away from the curb.
“Well, he did promise he would,” I muttered, glancing out of the window.
“I was also instructed to tell you, from him personally, that everything is settled at the house, and you needn’t worry about anything except to have a good time.”
I laughed. “He’s using you to deliver news?”
“I’ve had my fair share of people in this car on his behalf. I’m used to it.”
“Oh, are you his personal driver?”
“When he wants or needs to be driven around by another, yes. Otherwise, he does it himself.”
“I probably don’t want to know how many people he’s had you drive around for him, do I?” I asked wryly. It’s not like I was jealous or bothered by his past, but I was finding I didn’t necessarily want to think about it too hard.
“Oh, a fair share. Though I must admit, this is the first time I’ve driven for him, and he’s seemed…different,” the older man said slowly, as though testing out the words. “I don’t want to presume, of course, but this does seem very important to him.”
To say I was both surprised and quietly delighted would be an understatement. I felt warmth blossom in my chest unexpectedly, and I smiled at him. “Well, that’s certainly good to know. A little bit of a surprise, but still good.”
“I admit, I wondered if I might one day drive someone more than just…fun for Mr. Perkins. I’ve been driving for him for years, and I’ve seen a great deal of him. I’ve always wished to see him finally settle down, to allow himself to relax.”
“Uh, no offense, but we’re not quite like that. I mean, it’s sorta like that, but it’s not…well, no.”
I made absolutely no sense whatsoever, and I felt my face warm as I quickly looked down at my lap. Even I didn’t know what I was trying to say, and I knew I probably looked like an idiot. I certainly felt like one because part of me hated denying any real importance to what was happening, while another hated that I wanted there to be real importance.
“I see,” he said. “I apologize for intruding.”
I shook my head, trying to reassure him with a smile. “Don’t worry about it. You haven’t bothered me.”
I remained quiet for the rest of the trip, staring down at my shiny shoes rather than the streets around me. I hadn’t expected to find myself conflicted about just what it was I wanted or expected from the night or from Shane in general. I had teased him about this being a date, and now I wondered if that had been wishful thinking on my part.
“Here we are,” the driver announced as he pulled up to the curb.
I peered out of the window, finding we were in the heart of downtown, the heart of the high-end shopping and food district. The building we stopped in front of was black glass that showed nothing on the other side and reflected the colorful lights of the restaurant across the street. The sign was a small thing, a softly lit ‘O’, and that was all.
“What the hell am I getting into?” I wondered to myself as I moved toward the door to open it. “Oh, I’m sorry I never asked for your name, but thank you for driving me.”
“Of course. And again, I apologize for…”
“Hey,” I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it. And if it helps, I’m not going to mention it to Shane.”
He smiled at that. “Somehow, I think he would find our conversation amusing. That said, if I may indulge with a further presumption, if this is something a little more serious on his part, I’ll be glad for it. He needs someone at his side.”
“Don’t we all?” I asked with a laugh, opening the door.
“Not always. Some want someone who stands in front of them, while others prefer to be the one standing in front,” he explained, and I wondered if he was thinking of Sophia. If there was ever a person who refused to stand anywhere but front and center, it was her. “But he…he needs someone at his side. An equal. And I’ve yet to see anyone he considers that.”
“I get what you’re saying,” I said, stepping out and bending down to chuckle. “But you’re right. I think he would find this conversation hilarious. I can only imagine what kind of dirty, stupid joke he would make about it. Probably a sex position joke. And then pretend as if you’re supposed to be shocked or expect a standing ovation for his wittiness.”
The driver peered at me for long enough that I felt a trickle of discomfort. Then he chuckled. “Now I think I understand.”
I blinked. “You do?”
He tilted his head in a show of deference. “Again, forgive my presumption. I hope you enjoy your night, Mr. McCully.”
