Page 77 of On a Fault Line

I mean, he looks freaking hot with his casual clothes, so it’s not like I’m exaggerating. He must have forgone shaving today, and I most definitely approve.

Dayum.

Mighty fine and all mine…

Collins eyes my exposed legs. “If your skirt gets any shorter, it will turn into a belt.”

He helps me into the front seat, behind the wheel. I feel his attention on how much skin I’m showing. I didn’t think this outfit through for actually sitting down.

“I probably should have worn panties.”

“Fuck.”

“No, thank you. I want to learn how to drive today, Sir. Come be my passenger prince.”

“You’re already driving me wild.”

“That’s the plan. Maybe if I distract you, I’ll pass my first lesson.”

Collins gives me the side-eye.

In all seriousness, I do want to learn the basics today and try to move past the guilt of missing out on a portion of my life. I was too afraid to even attempt to drive when I was originally old enough to try. I didn’t see much of a purpose for it.

But now I do.

I take a few deep breaths, shaking off the nerves.

“How hard can this be?” I say it more to myself than to Collins. “I’m pretty good at those racing video games.”

“This is a lot more serious than some video game, Penelope.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the onslaught of a giggle fest. I’m going to give him an aneurysm. “Sure, yeah,” I agree, earning yet another look of disapproval. Sheesh.

Getting myself comfortable, I click my belt into place, which isn’t much different than the miniskirt’s width. He’s right. I do look like I’m wearing a belt.

Then I get to work on the preparation.

Collins isn’t in the passenger seat but a few seconds, and he’s already huffing and puffing out his exasperated air. “What in the hell are you doing with the mirrors, Penny?”

I try to keep a straight face, but it’s hard. Collins is just so…

Proper.

I rotate it clockwise and then switch and do it counterclockwise. “I feel like the angles are all wrong.” Settling on the mirror directed right on my face, I wait for his reaction.

“They aren’t for doing your makeup, that’s for sure.”

“Well, I’ve been getting pointers from Claire on driving.” Okay…that’s what is going to set him over the edge. Clearly. But it’s too fun to stop. “She says ‘mirrors are for mascara.’”

Collins lets out a huge groan, and I can almost hear him counting to ten.

Aim higher, buddy.

This is way too much fun.

“Have you ever seen her drive? She’s terrifying. So detox your brain from any advice she has given you.”

“If it wasn’t for Nic forbidding her from being behind the wheel, maybe she would stop sending me unsolicited driving lessons via text. I swear getting the car for my birthday has inspired her.”

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