Page 21 of The Office Games

“What?”

“I said, do you want anything from inside?” He straight-up lies to my face. “I’ll grab it before pumping the gas.”

“That’s not what you said.”

“So, youdon’twant anything from inside?”

“I’ll take my usual coffee, a roll of Shocktarts candy, and a couple pizza rolls if they have them, no garlic.” I pull two twentydollar bills from my wallet and hold them out to him. “We should split the cost of gas.”

“Come again?”

“It would make things fair, and I won’t feel like I owe you,” I say. “Whenever Cameron comes into town for dinner we always split the bill on everything.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. HaveIeverasked you to pay for anything?”

“No.”

“Then let’s keep it that way.” He steps out and slams the door shut.

I watch him walk inside, and the cashier blushes as he approaches.

Stepping outside, I stretch my arms and move to the driver’s seat.

Several minutes later, James sets our snacks on the center console and pumps the gas, but instead of taking his place on the backseat, he sits next to me upfront.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Waiting for you to turn the ignition, so we can get one step closer to Colorado.”

“I mean up here, James.” I am not okay with him being this close to me. “What are you doingup here?”

“Getting comfortable.” He reclines his seat, and I stare at him, feeling my nipples harden against my will.

“Is there a problem?” He smiles. “If you’re not capable of driving with someone in the front seat, you may not need to drive at all.”

I take off my jacket and toss it over his face before cranking the engine.

NINE

JAMES

Continuing I-84 East, entering Utah

Maybe I should’ve continued driving.

Taryn drives like a bat out of hell.

Then again, that’s an insult to the species. I’m certain that any bat would eventually recognize that the white signs with numbers are speed limits and not suggestions.

“All I want for Christmas is youuuuu!” Taryn sings along to Mariah Carey’s song for the tenth time in a row, completely ignoring the speed warnings on the screen.

We’re going ninety-five in the seventy-mile zone, and I now know that I will never shut my eyes when she’s in the driver’s seat.

“I need some stronger coffee for the rest of my stretch.” She slows down as we approach a set of eighteen-wheelers. “Do you mind if I stop at the exit ahead?”

“I’m fine with you stoppingforever, actually.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

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