Page 138 of Drive
“Okay… What’s your destination? How far do you need togo?”
“I-I’m going to Buttross Jewelers onJohnston.”
“Oh, that’s not far at all,” he encouraged. “You gotthis.”
Rainey rolled her eyes. “Ifeellike anidiot.”
“You’re a survivor. A warrior,” Jacques countered with feeling. “You blow my mind every day. Now, step on thegas.”
Without a thought, Rainey stepped on the gas — perhaps with just a little more force than necessary because the Cooper lunged forward, and Rainey slammed on the brakes withsqueak.
“Whathappened?”
Rainey pressed her lips together and breathed in her nose for three seconds. “I just got excited,” she said on theexhale.
“Well, that’s understandable,” Jacques said with a smile in his rumbly voice. “This isexciting.”
She snorted a laugh at his ridiculous statement, but she lifted her foot off the brake. “Trying again,” she muttered, and then she pressed lightly onto the gas, and the car rolled forward at what could only be described as a geriatricpace.
“You driving?” Jacquesasked.
“I’m moving,” she responded. “At about six miles perhour.”
This time Jacques laughed. “You’re driving, Rainey. You’re doingit!”
Rainey sat up straight. He was right. After six years, she was, in fact, doing it. She released a shaky laugh and pressed the gas a little harder, bringing the needle of the speedometer up to fifteen miles perhour.
“How’s it feel?” he asked, and all she could picture was his adorable lopsidedgrin.
“Terrifying… a-and exhilarating. Though I think a granny with a walker just passed meup.”
The sound of Jacques’s laughter burst from herphone.
“And, since Holi doesn’t know what I’m doing, technically this is grand theftauto.”
His continued laughter made her shoulders loosen. She scanned the length of the street and saw the traffic zipping by on Johnston. In a moment of clarity, she realized it would be easier to make a left onto the busy street one block over at the light on Twin Oaks. At the break in the median, Rainey made a slow U-turn and gave thanks none of her neighbors were coming or going today. They certainly wouldn’t get anywhere in ahurry.
“Where are you now?” Jacques asked after his laughtereased.
“I’m heading to the light on Twin Oaks where there’s a leftarrow.”
“Smart woman,” Jacquesmurmured.
She rounded the bend at the bottom of the hairpin turn that separated Oakview from Twin Oaks. “How was thetrip?”
“Not bad. I slept most of the way. When Kate would shut up, that is,” he saiddryly.
“Oh, and by the way—” Rainey leveled, frowning. “—you left without waking me up to say goodbye. Not cool,Gilchrist.”
“Hey, now, I explained my rationale,” Jacques defended before his voice softened. “You looked too perfect. I couldn’t wake you. Like I said, I kissed yougoodbye.”
“Yeah, but I don’t remember it,” shegrumbled.
He gave a low chuckle. “It was a good kiss,” his deep voice purred. “Take my word forit.”
Rainey realized with some surprise that she’d approached the intersection and come to a full stop. All without incident. Talking to Jacques was definitelyhelping.
“What’s L.A.like?”
