Page 128 of Secondhand Smoke
Shecoulddo this.
He paused, his eyes roving over her. An eyebrow rose. “Where’s your coat?” he asked.
Nell shook her head, brushing off his question. “Can we go for a drive?”
Barrett was silent for a while, and for a moment, Nell was worried he would say no. If he said no, she wouldn’t be able to prove herself.
She wrung her hands together nervously.
Finally, he gave a brief nod. “Okay.”
He turned back to the van, heading toward the driver’s side.
“Wait.” Nell stepped forward, grinning as big as she could. She had to show she was okay. “Can I drive?”
Barrett froze.
He looked at her, his eyes wide and disbelieving.
He didn’t think she could do it. But she had to. She had to prove it to him.
“I don’t—”
“Just for a little bit. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to. Thought I might as well before the moment passes.”
She could see the gears spinning in his head, his gaze flicking back and forth between hers as if he were trying to read her mind.
Finally, his shoulders drooped like he was giving in. He stepped up to her, shrugging his jacket off and flipping it around her shoulders so she was covered.
She still shook despite being surrounded by the lingering warmth in his jacket.
“Just for a little bit,” he agreed in defeat. She swore she could see a near smile hinted on his lips.
She practically ran to the van.
Considering how many times she’d ridden in the passenger side of this van, transitioning to the driver’s side would be easy. Nine months since she’d driven, but gripping the wheel was natural, if not a little uncomfortable.
Just like riding a bike. Easy peasy.
Nell pulled onto the road slowly, her hold relaxed. They stayed quiet, but Nell kept glancing back and forth between the road and Barrett.
He didn’t look back.
She could only see half of his face as he gazed intently on the road in front of them. He was focused, alert.
It reminded her of her mom when she taught her to drive. The anxiety at every bump and turn worried her she would mess up.
Nell’s stomach dropped.
He really didn’t think she could do it.
The snow was falling faster now, and her knuckles tightened on the wheel.
It was soft enough that it melted as it hit the windshield, leaving drops on the glass before being swiped away by the wipers.
It almost looked like rain.
She shook her head, wincing at the ringing in her ears. The smell of smoke rose up in her nose, and she huffed to get it out.
