Page 20 of Van Cort
“Right, sorry.”
He looks at me, and I almost expect him to say something, but he smiles and starts the engine.
I let him drive, and he heads straight for the I-5. I don’t ask where we’re going. He's never told me beforehand previously, so why should that change now? I do expect us to head south, though, but he takes us north.
“You know, I’m still in my running gear,” I remind him as he follows the traffic on our way towards Ballinger Park.
“It’s hard to forget that, considering the fit of it against your skin.” I smile, pleased he’s noticed. It’s a flash of something intimate and shows he’s still interested.
“We’re just going to grab a coffee with a view,” I remind him.
“Right.”
He turns off the highway and heads west, all the way to Marina Beach Point, where he parks up and jumps from the car, making sure he opens my door and takes my hand.
“Coffee.”
“Coffee.”
“This place has a great view, especially if the weather is in our favour.”
“You brought me here to show me the view?”
“And to have coffee.”
He strolls down to the small kiosk and orders, before setting off to walk along the shoreline of the small beach. It is pretty. I’m so used to seeing the Sound but rarely get to enjoy the true nature that the state has to offer. It wouldn’t take a long drive to reach some really wild and rugged wilderness from here, which I’d love. Blue skies. Vast spaces and mountains.
Keeping my mind focused on the view, I wait for him to do the talking. It was his gesture, after all - his apology, but it’s not forthcoming, and I can’t stand the gulf of silence. It needles me, wearing me down.
“So, are you going to ghost me again? Because if you are, I’d rather just call it quits now.”
“I’ve been distracted by an intense week. That shouldn’t have led to radio silence, though. Hopefully, this will make up for some of that.”
“It is unexpected, but I’ll admit I’m not unhappy to see you.”
He nods and sips his coffee. “So, I told you my week has been intense. Tell me about yours.”
“I’ve had better weeks.”
“Because of me? I can think of a few ways to give you an oxytocin high if you need it.”That smirk isn’t what I expected, and I can’t help but laugh at him.
“You were just a part of my bad week. Easy there, Mr. I wouldn’t want to inflame your already huge ego.”
“I’ve heard huge is particularly attractive.” He gestures with his palms, indicating a ten-inch gap between his hands, and I nearly spurt my coffee out, unsure if it’s the words or that they came from his mouth.
“Everett, jeez.” I laugh at him, trying to control the spluttering.
“Anyway, you were saying?”
“Well, it might come as a shock, but not all of my life revolves around you. My boss is a royal ass.”
“What did he do?”
“He played me at work. So, I have to figure out how I can work with him going forward. He’s got no integrity. And I can never trust him.”
“Leave.”
“Oh, yes. Says the man with generational wealth who doesn’t need to worry about bills. Great answer.”
