She didn't have to say anything. Her eyes told me what she was thinking: boring.
"Oh," she finally uttered. "If that's what you want to do. I mean, if that makes you happy here."
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"It does," I said, and she nodded.
When we turned down the street toward the house, she slowed and to my surprise pulled behind a parked Mercedes sports car.
"Basil is waiting for you," she said, nodding at the car.
I leaned forward and saw him step out and wave. "The driving lessons, remember? I went ahead and canceled the driving instructor."
"Oh, yes," I said, a ball of nervousness tumbling in my stomach and growing bigger with ever roll.
"Go on," she urged. "And be nice to him. You need someone who can do you favors, Celeste, even more than I do," she added with a note of sadness. "I'll take your books up to your room."
She leaned out her window to wave back at Basil. "C'mon, Celeste," he urged, ignoring her. "We've got a lot to do."
I got out of the car and started toward him. He was wearing a tight knit sweater and jeans and did look handsome, his hair blown into a free-flowing style. He smiled and reached out for me. I took his hand, and he opened the driver's door a bit more so I could slip right behind the steering wheel.
"Let's first see how you do and what that driving expert taught you," he said.
He closed the door and started around the car. Ami remained behind us, watching. Basil barely looked her way. He got in beside me and closed the door.
"Now this isn't a bad car to learn on," he said. "Handles like a baby, smooth and very receptive. It's a high-performance automobile, so go easy on the acceleration. Go on. Let's see what you were told to do first," he challenged, folding his arms and sitting back.
I went through the steps I had been taught, adjusting the seat and the mirrors to make sure I had good views. I quickly studied the shift, the parking brake, and the signal lever. Then I put on my seat belt.
"You look good behind that wheel, Celeste," he said. "You look like you belong in a car like this. You know how much it cost?"
I shook my head.
"It's over a hundred thousand dollars," he said. "I'm thinking of getting a new one. Maybe I'll just give this one to you to use, so don't get us into a wreck," he added, laughing.
Was he serious? Just like that, he'd give me a car this expensive to use?
"C'mon, get the engine started. Let's get moving." He looked back at Ami, who was still parked behind us. I saw his eyes narrow with displeasure.
"What the hell is she waiting for? Let's go," he ordered more firmly.
I started the car, checked my mirror, made my hand signal, and shifted to drive. He was right about the car's sensitivity compared to the far cheaper vehicle the driving instructor used. We lunged forward so fast and hard, I hit the brake.
Basil laughed as we jerked forward and back. "Sorry," I said.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it quickly," he promised.
Gingerly this time, I accelerated, and we pulled onto the road. He moved closer to me, putting his left arm around the back of my seat. I could smell his rich cologne and aftershave as it flowed over my face.
"Steady," he said. "Just keep her steady and keep aware of everyone around you. I always check the rearview to see how close the idiot behind me gets. People tailgate like crazy these days," he warned. "Driving is defensive nowadays. You just have to keep anticipating the other guy will do something stupid, and most of the time, he does."
My pounding heart slowed down as we cruised along. It was a wonderful car to drive, and I was comfortable in the seat. He told me where to turn.
"You're doing just fine," he said. "I'm impressed. This is going to be a piece of cake. I might not even need a favor at the motor vehicle bureau," he remarked.
I said thank you, but never took my eyes off the road, even though I felt his on me all the time. Once in a while his fingers grazed the back of my neck or my hair, and that would send a chill down my spine because I was afraid the touch would last longer or go down my neck to my shoulders.
We practiced parking. To my surprise, he wasn't a bad driving instructor. He had a mechanic's understanding of everything, angles, speed, exactly how to turn the wheel enough, and when to stop.