Page 27 of The Office Games

Avoiding James’ intense gaze, I pull onto the road.

Fifty miles later

Spluttt.Splutt. SPLUTTT!

The gas pedal stiffens under my foot, and the car makes an awful screeching sound.

Panicking, I pull over to the side of the road and put the car in park.

“James.” I shake his shoulder. “James!”

He lifts his head. “I fell asleep with your driving? Have we died?”

“I don’t think so…” I pinch myself to double check. “Something is wrong with the car.”

He leans over me and tries to turn the ignition, but it won’t give. He taps the service screen and lets out a long sigh.

“While you were talking to your cousin,” did you bother actuallypumpingthe gas?”

I gasp.

I only paid for it. I never pumped it.

“There's probably something going on under the hood.” I can’t admit to being that stupid. “Sounds like an engine issue. We have plenty of gas.”

"I doubt that." He grabs his coat from the backseat and puts it on. “I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?”

"There's a gas station half a mile ahead.”

“You want me to sit here alone?”

“There’s no traffic,” he says. “And it’s not that far. I think you’ll be all right."

“If I was your girlfriend would you let me sit in the car alone?”

“Probably not.” He steps out and I follow suit.

He pulls me against his side and we trudge down the icy highway.

My teeth are chatteringwhen we make it to Big Billy’s Discount Gas, and I’m grateful for the rush of heat.

James heads toward the gas cans, and I head for the coffee.

“Where’s your car?” An elderly man behind the counter asks.

“It’s up on the highway,” James says.

The man looks confused.

“Let me guess,” he says. “Your wife forgot to pump the gas at your last stop?”

“Of course not.” James smiles at him. “This is all my fault.”

“I’ll bet!” The man laughs. “If you keep that attitude, you’ll last a long time together. Trust me.”

“My name’s Bill.” He extends his hand. “Let me give y’all a ride back to your car. It's not every day I get to help a young married couple for the holidays.”

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