“Would you like me to drive?” Elijah asked, managing to keep a straight face as he stood at the door.
“I hate this car.” Charlotte made an exasperated sound and got out of the driver's seat. “Yes, you can drive.”
I covered my mouth with my hand so she wouldn't see my smirk as the two of us got into the leather-encased backseat. Elijah waited to start the car until we were both buckled, but when he turned the ignition key, it purred like a content kitten. I didn't know that cars could actually sound like music and it drove smoother than any car I had ever been in.
“What kind of car is this anyway?” I asked, feeling the leather seat. It was like satin against my skin.
“Lamborghini,” Charlotte replied, crossing her legs. I hadn't noticed her killer heels until right then, but she swung them around like weapons. I was terrified one would catch on the leather and rip it.
“And you hate it?” I asked, blanching a little. I had never even seen a real life Lamborghini, let alone gotten inside of one.
“It has the touchiest clutch in the world,” she explained. Elijah made a snorting noise that she ignored. “I know how to drive a manual. Give me a good, old-fashioned, American-made truck and I can drive that sucker anywhere. This,” she said, glaring at the very expensive car, “has nothing on my truck at home.”
I smiled, imagining her in an old beater of a truck driving around a billion dollar estate. It fit Charlotte to a tee.
“So you and Bastian were looking at art?” Charlotte asked. Her tone was innocent, but I suspected she wanted more details than just “looking at art.” “You two seemed awfully interested in that painting.”
“Yes,” I replied, just as innocently. “That painting is worth a lot more than he thought. We were simply discussing it.”
“Oh, that's good.” Her foot started bouncing in the air, and she chewed on her lip until she was unable to control her need for more gossip. “So, I think Bastian likes you,” Charlotte blurted out. I immediately turned a deep, dark shade of crimson.
“Oh, come on, Charlotte—me?” I laughed, but deep down I wanted it to be true. “I think you've had too much to drink and we're not even at the bar yet.”
“What?” She grinned. “You don't think he's cute?”
I blushed even harder and she laughed.
“You do think he's cute!”
I rolled my eyes at her and pulled my hair back and out of my face, trying to relieve some of the heat. “What about you and whats-his-name? The one who doesn't know you exist?”
“Oh, no,” she replied, holding out her hand as if that would stop my words. “We are not talking about me and Leo.”
“Oh, Leo is it?” I teased, holding out the name for emphasis. “Bastian's business partner?”
“Damn it,” she cursed quietly, narrowing her eyes and glaring at me. From up front, Elijah laughed. “Shut up, Elijah,” Charlotte growled, kicking the front seat. It just made Elijah laugh harder and me worry about the leather with her shoes.
“We're here,” Elijah said, pulling into the parking lot and stopping. It was a small dirt lot with an open air bar on one end with a restaurant and some small shops adjoining it. A dolphin statue stood in front of the restaurant, squirting water up into the sky and looking playful. It had all the charm of a small town bar and I already liked it.
Charlotte grabbed my arm and dragged me into the bar. It was nice and comfortable, but definitely full of more locals than tourists. Luckily, Charlotte headed to the back where it was open to the ocean, choosing a seat that was obviously her favorite.
The sun had set and twilight was twinkling across the warm waters of the Caribbean as the lights in the bar flickered to life. A server came up and grinned at Charlotte.
“We'll take two of the dinner specials and two drink specials,” Charlotte told him. He didn't even write it down before heading off to the back. I looked over at her uncertain. I wasn't a picky eater, but Charlotte didn't know that about me yet.
“Trust me,” Charlotte said, full of self confidence. “You'll love it. The restaurant next door is run by Lucia's sister who, if you can believe it, is actually an even better cook than Lucia.”
“I'm not sure that's possible,” I replied, which just made Charlotte grin wider.
“Plus, the drink special is this rum thing that they only make here. It's amazing and they have a two drink maximum, but you'll want more,” Charlotte continued.
I decided to just go with it. I would have a lot more fun if I just let things happen instead of trying to control everything. I was just beginning to learn that I didn't even have as much control over the things I thought I did, anyway. This wasn't an appraisal. I could be spontaneous and have fun.
I relaxed back into my chair, looking out at the night falling across the water. It was beautiful. Looking in the other direction, I could see Elijah sitting at the bar drinking a soda and flirting with the bartender. He nodded when he saw me. I smiled back. He took his job seriously, but even he was going to have a good time.
“So, Leo, huh?” I asked, tucking my hand under my chin and watching Charlotte struggle not to turn bright red.
“I was really hoping you'd forget,” she mumbled. “I need a drink.”