Chapter 8: Grand Gestures

I walk through the garage door with a yawn, the brandy from last night still fogging my mind. The cars I handpicked and drove off the lot sit in a row. Each one for a different occasion. I stare at the red one and the first thought I have is Allie. Her hands are on the steering wheel as she rides downtown in style. I pluck the keys off the wall behind it and start the engine. This was the one. The new car, hand-picked, just for Allie.

***

I double park in my usual spot and hop out into the bright morning light. Another missed opportunity for a big red bow. The old door of the lobby has no lock and I make it to the stairs, unsure where I’m going. Her file said 2 J so I walk up to the second floor and her apartment door nearly smacks me in the face at the landing. A pineapple welcome mat sits outside her door and I knock firmly on the door. Nothing. Maybe she’s sleeping. I’ll try her cell. I dial and hear the buzzing inside. Allie’s perky voicemail greets me and I hang up. Let me try her again. And again. And again. More knocking. Geez, this girl can sleep. I bang louder, ready to kick the door down at this point. A bit of shuffling can be heard from the other side.

"Yeah, I hear ya. What is it?"

The cover of the peephole moves and I smirk at her snappy tone. Finally. "Good morning, Allie."

The peephole slides closed and I furrow my brow at her small gasp.

"Uh, one minute, I'm just getting some, uh, hairpins…"

I look at my watch, 8:14 am staring back at me. To be almost ready is one thing, but to just be waking up is completely unacceptable. We have places to be. I knock on the door, a bit harder than the last time. I stare at the time. 8:15.

"Coming," she yells, the sound of shuffling slowing down. 8:16. The door flies open.

"I've been knocking for an hour…" I look up and nearly drop my jaw on the floor. Her wild hair is tied in a neat bun, her dress and blazer conforming to her body. A brilliant beauty. "But perfection does take time. Don't worry, I'll charm the boss when we get there."

"We?" she asks, following me down the stairs. "I told you yesterday I'm—"

"An independent woman. Yeah, I've heard. That still doesn't deter me from presenting you with a small token of appreciation."

The early morning sunlight glints off the side of the car and I turn and toss Allie the keys.

She fumbles but manages to keep her hold on them. "Hey. What was that for?"

"Everyone should have the keys to their car, don't ya think?"

The wide eyes grow wider, her gaze flickering between the car and me getting in the passenger seat. "You don't expect me to drive this thing, do you?"

I have one foot in the car, one still on the pavement. "I drove it all the way over here. The least you could do is drive us to work."

I watch her sweet a** cross to the driver's side and shake my head, flipping open my phone. No harm in checking the meeting schedule before we take off. I let a bit of time pass as Allie adjusts to the car. A few minutes more and I look up to find her staring at the dashboard, face panicked and white. "Okay, Allie. It's a car, not a spaceship. Let's get a move on. We've got work to do. I'm pumped." I do a little happy dance in my seat, fists lightly pumping in the air in an attempt to make her laugh. I can see the color return to her cheeks and she breathes a little easier. Alright, we are finally on our way. She puts the car in drive and hits the gas, sending us nearly to the end of the block in an instant. Allie breaks and the momentum sends me face-first into the dashboard. She gasps, putting the car back in park. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Gah. I knew I should've just walked—"

"Allie," I chuckle, rubbing my nose and forehead. Her hands are shaking and I want to grab them so badly. Hold her in my arms and let her know everything is okay. But she’s not mine to hold. "It's okay. I should've presumed that you would be a bit nervous driving on the spot. Forget about what I said before. Let's take an easy cruise to Ocean Tech. No sense in giving you one of my personal cars if you're just going to crash it."

"Or kill us." She turns to me. "Wait, personal cars? As in, you have more than one?"

I look in the review mirror to see the bruises and loosen my tie a little. "Oh Allie, don't be so dramatic. Of course I have several cars. It's both a blessing and a curse. I figured this one would fit you the best for some reason, so now this car is yours."

"You really need to adjust your use of small and little because you clearly have forgotten the meaning," she mumbles.

I think of yesterday and can’t help but laugh. "Note taken. Okay. When you put this thing in drive, I want you to place your foot on the gas in slow motion."

She follows my instructions a bit too well, the car rolling down the road slow and steady.

"Alright. Now put on your blinker. We must obey street laws," I tease, leaning back in my seat.

"Aye aye, captain."

Soon we are cruising through downtown, turning down streets I’ve never bothered traveling. The gleaming tower of Ocean Tech sits at the end of the road as we wait at a red light, a sleepy old man walking across.

I nudge her, the nerves from earlier completely gone. "See, you're a natural. You even cut across town faster than I could've. I don't think I've ever been on this street."

She looks around and smiles sadly. Nothing but worn-out storefronts and boarded-up businesses. Graffiti of gang tags and profanity decorate the warped wooden boards. "It didn't always used to look this way. This used to be a popular place to go in town. Look." She points at the next block over. "There's a theater on that corner. Once it closed, the rest of the businesses kind of went along with it. No one likes a dead street."

I look out at the sorry street and try to see past the destruction. "Maybe this will be something we can change with our project."

"If we could bring even a single percent of Miami a bit more happiness, then this project will be worth it."

I smile at her warmly, gently touching her hand. "Thanks, Allie." She stares at me and for a minute, I forget how to breathe. I want to lean in and taste the mint lingering on her tongue. Just a little taste wouldn’t hurt. The light turns green, and I retreat back to my side of the car. "Make a left at the next light."

She nods, the vibrations of her touch still lingering on my fingertips as we pull into the VIP parking lot of Ocean Tech.