“No!” I say, trying to force a look of shock onto my face instead of laughing in his and saying, ‘HA, in your face, sukkah!’
“Yes, Lauren, they towed me.” He is leaning even further into me. “Now, you are going to lend me your car for the meeting I have to go to downtown.”
“Um, I can’t lend you my car. What if my kids get sick at school and I have to leave? What if—” I start but think the better of it as I take in the murderous look on his face. “Okay, fine.” I duck under his arm to reach into my purse and grab the keys. “But if anything happens to it, you’ll pay for it,” I warn, dangling the keys in front of him.
He snatches the keys from my hand and turns to head into his office, slamming the door behind him, causing the shades to rattle on his side of the room. I pick up my phone to send Kaleigh a text.
Oopsie. I waited too long to pay the tickets.
I wait for her reply, hoping for some words of wisdom, which is not at all what I get.
Play with the devil, you’re gonna get burned.
I look at my phone in confusion, because really, what the hell does that even mean? Before I can question her, Austin’s door opens and he comes back out. He has changed out of his suit, which was probably all sweaty anyway.
The suit he’s wearing now is navy blue and molds to him perfectly. He swings the jacket around, putting it on in one fluid motion, then grabs his cuffs, pulling them out of the sleeves of the jacket. He’s not wearing a tie, but the top two buttons of his bright white shirt are undone, giving me a slight peek at his bronzed chest. The image of my fingers playing with that third button pops into my head, and I have to blink to clear it.
Having inappropriate thoughts about my boss is the biggest no-no in my life; that and there’s the fact that I hate him. Well, maybe not hate, hate is a strong word. But I do dislike him, like a lot.
“You think Kaleigh can come get you if I don’t get back on time?” he asks almost like he’s worried about how I’m going to get home.
I nod my head yes and then tell him, “Listen, there are a couple of things you should know about the car,” I try to explain, but I’m quickly hushed by him instead.
“Seriously, I think I got it. It’s a minivan. How different can it possibly be from any other vehicle?” He heads to the elevator.
“Okay, but just so you know how t—” I continue from right behind him.
“Lauren, I got it. It’s not brain surgery. I’m good.” Then he gets onto the elevator and the doors close.
I look to Carmen. “Oh, well, I tried to warn him that Frozen is stuck in the DVD player and “Let it Go” is on repeat.” I give a little shrug before I turn and walk back to my desk. Oh, to be a fly in that car right now!
Chapter Fourteen
AUSTIN
The minute I got that phone call, I knew this had to do with Lauren. Ever since she came into my life, it’s been one crazy, fucked-up episode after another. There has never been a time when I’ve frowned more than I have lately, but I can also admit that I’ve laughed more than I ever have as well. She brings out not only this insane, absurd awfulness in me, but also a fun, silly, playful side I didn’t even know I had.
A month ago, I would have had her fired without a second thought, but now, she quits pretty much every day, smiling each time she gives me her notice.
But her not paying my tickets was a low blow. My car—my baby—was impounded, and I have an important meeting with Denis on site at the restaurant so we can finalize a couple of things.
Now, I’m walking out of the office with the keys to her bus in my hands. Okay, so it isn’t an actual bus, but it’s damn close to one.
I click ‘unlock’ on the key fob and get in. My knees are pressed against the dash, and the steering wheel is so close it’s practically cutting off the air to my fucking throat. I fumble around on the side for the buttons to change the seat’s position and give me some leg room.
Once I’m situated and circulation returns to my legs, I touch the keyless starter button, and the car starts right up.
I buckle in and am on my way. Soft music plays in the background when all of a sudden, a girl’s voice starts filling the car.
Soft at first, and a bit annoying, so I push the button on the touch screen to switch to the radio. After clicking it once, nothing happens, so I try it again. And again, nothing happens.