Chapter 36: | free time-2

"Would you like to take it for a test drive?" Jim asks us both. "Yep." "I'll get the keys," Jim returns. "Let me drive it out the showroom for you. You can take it from there." Phoenix passes Jim his driver's license. Jim frowns. "I don't need that, Phoenix. You're good. Meet me in front?" We leave the showroom and wait for Jim out front. The more I let it sink in, the more excited and confused I become. "I'm getting this car? Today?" "Yep!" "How am I going to pay for it?" "You're not. I am, silly." "How am I supposed to pay you back?" "Don't worry about it. It's a gift. Besides, I'm just glad to help you get rid of that rusted garbage pail on wheels." "Her name is Gertrude!" Shocked by his candor, I laugh, loudly. "You're on a totally different plane than like 99 percent of the population. Who buys a car for someone else, simply because they hate looking at what that person drives? You're serious about this, aren't you?" "Yep and you can't stop me. You need to upgrade that eyesore." "Hey! I said leave Gertrude alone." I smile at his teasing. "She's gotten me through some tough times! She's super reliable." Jim pulls up and hands Phoenix the key fob. "Enjoy the ride." He gets out of the car, leaving the driver's door open in front of us both. Phoenix dangles the key fob in front of me. "You want to test drive it before I buy it or not?" "Do I really have a choice?" I ask with a dubious grin. Phoenix shakes his head. "Not really. The only thing you can do is boycott me by choosing to ride the bus because sooner or later Gertrude is gonna croak." He pretends to choke, making gagging noises and going so far as to put his hands around his throat to let his tongue hang out of his mouth. The gesture is hysterical, especially since he's such a serious, sexy type of guy. "OK. OK. I get it!" Not quite letting it sink in, I playfully snatch the key fob out of Phoenix's hand. "Let's go." I get in the driver's seat. Phoenix gets in on the passenger's side. "Ready?" I ask, before starting the car. "Come on!" He smacks the dashboard. I start the car by pushing a button, no keys needed. "So, this is what luxury feels like?" It purrs contently, as do I, as I marvel at the magnificence of this powerhouse on wheels. As soon as I put it in reverse, the back-up camera comes on. "Look at that, I don't have to look over my shoulder?" Phoenix watches me as if he's viewing his favorite TV show. I can tell he's enjoying this, immensely. I pull out into the street. "Smooth ride. What's this?" My frown gives way to a gleeful smile. "Is it projecting my speed onto the windshield?" "That's the heads-up display," he says through a wide grin. I breathe in the scent of the leather upholstery. "This is too much!" "You like it?" "Um. This is more than I could ever ask for," I reply with awe in my eyes. I head straight for the highway. "Let's check the speed on this bad boy!" The heads-up display shows I'm twenty miles over the speed limit. No shaking or bouncing like old Gertrude. "I'm not used to such a smooth ride." "See, it's growing on you already." "Didn't take long, did it?" I laugh as I step on the gas and take off. Out of nowhere, a siren and flashing lights cause my heart to flutter with embarrassment. Damn it! I silently scold myself before glancing at Phoenix in dismay. I pull over to the side of the highway. "I should've told you to slow down," he confesses. "It's my fault. Got too excited." I let the window down and wait for the officer to approach. "Hello, Miss. License and registration, please. You know you were going over 110 miles per hour in a seventy zone? That's a clean forty miles per hour over. Not good for you." He scribbles something on his pad. Flustered, I reach for my license. "I'm — I'm sorry, officer. This isn't my car. I don't have the registration." I pass my driver's license out the window. "I was going for a test drive." The officer shakes his head. "Even worse." "I know that voice." Phoenix looks out the driver window. "Excuse me, officer?" The officer leans over and looks inside the car. "Phoenix?" A friendly smile softens his disgruntled face. "How are you, man?" "John! I thought that was you. I'm good, man! How are you and the wife?" "We're great! Appreciate the deal on that house you got for us last month! I never would've pulled you guys over if I knew it was you." The beaming officer taps on the roof of the car with his knuckles. "Today's your lucky day. Take this as a warning. Stay within the speed limit from now on." Air escapes my lungs like a deflating balloon. "Will do, officer." I can't believe my good luck. Officer John walks back to his squad car and turns off the flashing lights. I look at Phoenix. "You're just Mr. Popularity today, huh. Thanks for saving my ass!" I smack his arm. "Take it as a gift from the Don," he jokes as his phone rings. "I need to take this." I pull off the side of the highway and head back to the dealership. When he gets off the phone he looks at me. "Time to pay me back." "Sure. Shoot." "You've been to orientation at Prescott Realty? You're familiar with company culture, right?" I nod, keeping both hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road. "Ally had me come in. I spent all of last week in orientation. You should show me where your office is some time." "For sure. Listen, there's another marketing candidate I'm meeting for lunch tomorrow. He graduated from your school. Since he's from your alma mater, think you can sit in on our lunch and give me your thoughts?" "Really?" "Yeah." He leans back in the seat and stretches out his legs. "I'm used to dealing with board members, top executives, and entrepreneurs. Over the years, the departments have all grown into their own, really. I need someone on the ground to let me know what's what. I usually have one of my assistants tag along and give their thoughts but since you've seen what it's like in marketing, you have fresh eyes and the candidate is from your school. I feel you're qualified to let me know if he's a good fit." "Well . . . when you put it that way. What's his name? Maybe I know him." "I can't remember. Just meet me at Ovation, that Italian restaurant near Bayshore Square? 2 p.m. tomorrow." "Of course. I'll pay close attention and let you know what I think." This is my chance to do something for Phoenix. "Don't forget, dress code is professional for all company outings." "Got it." We get back to the dealership. Phoenix writes a check for the full amount and I drive off with a brand-new ride. He's right. With him, it gets better and better.