He kept going. Which was both a relief and annoying because what a dick for not offering me a ride. Not that he owed me anything, but most people would have at least asked since we were going to the same place. My mother would surely praise his killer instinct.

An icy wind blew crunchy orange leaves around my Converse. My fingers were going numb. It was expensive paying for a Lyft to and from the rink, but it was the best option since I couldn’t rent a car.

Red flashed in my peripheral vision. I gaped as the Civic returned after a precise U-turn. It pulled up to the curb, and the passenger window rolled down.

When I leaned low to see him, Henry asked one question. “Why?”

Excuses popped onto my tongue, but after a moment I went with the truth. “I can’t drive.”

His brows met with a little furrow that was honestly adorable. “Why?”

“My mom didn’t want me taking time out from skating to learn. I should have done it when I moved to California, but there was another skater who had a car. Emily Lee? She has a sweet Jeep Wrangler, and she gave me rides.” My face burned, and I knew I was beet red. I’d been lazy not to learn when I’d had the chance, and now here I was. Not that I cared what Henry thought.

Still, I squirmed. “My ride will be here any minute, so.”

“Who drives you?”

I held up my phone. “Whoever’s working Lyft.”

A frown pinched his face. “That’s expensive.”

“Yeah, well. My fault for not learning how to drive.”

He didn’t say anything for a few moments. Then he faced forward and popped the lock on the passenger door, which released with a little thunk.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to.”

He just gave me a long-suffering glare, so I hopped in before he could change his mind. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”

Being unfailingly friendly would surely chisel a dent in his brick wall eventually. I’d get him to like me. Or at least coax a real smile out of him if it killed me.

After clicking on my seat belt, I ran a hand over the immaculate dashboard. “Nice car! I’m surprised you got red. I’d think you were more into gray or black or maybe white? It’s a nice cherry red too. Is there a backup camera? Do those come standard these days? Ohh, do you have seat warmers?” I flipped a switch under the heating controls.

Henry sighed as he took a right turn and headed north. “The car was used for test drives. The price was excellent, and it costs too much to repaint.”

“Ah, that explains it. Oh, my ass is getting toasty! This must be awesome on those cold winter mornings.”

“Mm.”

Henry’s phone was connected to the radio, and I blinked at the words on the screen. “Dua Lipa? You’re not listening, to, like, NPR? What else is on here?” I scrolled through the playlist while Henry gave me stink eye. “Is there K-pop? Lady Gaga? I love this song!” I tapped it.