Page 35 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Fe laughed, lifting herself up to sit on one of the tables again.

Even though she couldn’t see his face, she could tell he was teasing her, and that was a step in the right direction.

Elliot: Do you want to grab dinner somewhere? Forget the whole thing happened?

Fe nodded, then began kicking her feet.

Fe:I would love nothing more.

Elliot: I know a place close to your work. I’ll pick you up?

Fe: What about my car?

Elliot: I’ll drive you back. You can pick it up after?

Fe:You’re making me nervous.

Elliot: Come on. Have I ever steered you wrong before?

Fe: …

Elliot: Don’t answer that.

Fe:Hurry up and get here. I’m hungry.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later,in the cab of his bright blue pickup truck, Elliot pulled into Hillman’s faculty parking lot. He got out of the vehicle, his new aviator glasses shielding his face as he leaned against the cab. “You ready?” he shouted to her.

The vision of him standing there, leaning against is blue pickup, reminded her of the scene from Sixteen Candles. He’d obviously gone home after work, because his hair was done, his clothes relaxed and comfortable instead of slacks and button up he normally wore.

She grabbed her backpack off the low wall and hopped down to the sidewalk. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

He wore his new jeans, and a faded salmon t-shirt that made his skin look bronzed and golden, but it was his smile which captivated her. Broad, and genuine. The best smile she’d ever seen in her life.

“Patience has never been one of your virtues, Fe Porto.”

She rolled her eyes, then opened the door to his truck. She threw her backpack to the back seat, and proceeded to fasten her seatbelt.

“How was work?” he asked when he was once again in the driver’s seat beside her.

“Good. How was the office?”

He shrugged. “Things are getting crazy with the acquisition. Everyone’s stressed and barking orders…but I guess that’s to be expected.”

She nodded, forcing herself to look out the windshield. “Have you heard from Mary at all?” It was a simple question, one that was appropriate given the line of conversation, but it still made her stomach hurt.

He stopped for a moment. “Aside from a few emails, no. Not really.”

She looked back at him.

“Think that’s a bad thing?”

Pulling the sun-visor down in front of her face, she shook her head. “Nah. I’m sure she’s just busy.”

He grinned. “I’ll take your word for it.”

* * *

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