Page 4 of Just Keep Driving

I nod. “I have big, but achievable plans. I figure doing this will get me there faster.”

“Smart. So you listen to people complain all day in your chair, then listen to people complain all evening in your car?”

I shrug. “What can I say? I’m a people person.”

She giggles.

“What about you? What do you do when you’re not staying way too long on dates with raggedy men?”

“I’m a graphic designer and an artist.”

I lock eyes with her. That’s a cool ass job. “How’d you get into that?”

“I was one of those kids who was always drawing. My teachers got on to me about it, but my parents poured into me. They put me in art camps and always encouraged me. They helped fuel my passion, and here I am.”

“Supportive parents are dope. Good for you. I used to draw too. Never figured I could make a living off of it, but I like doing things with my hands.”

I glance up at her. She’s got a grin on her face. I shake my head and laugh.

We approach another light. I slow down as it changes and stop before I have to. “Yellow is a good color on you,” I tell her.

Her stomach growls so loudly that I can hear it.

“You stayed too long, but not long enough to eat?”

The light turns green, and I accelerate.

“You know what?”

I wave a hand. “I’m sure the mildew ruined your appetite anyway. You want some tacos? My favorite food truck is close by.”

She stares at me in the rear view mirror. I can see the questions written all over her face. “Let this be a part of your Champ ride experience. I can’t have you in here with your stomach hooting and hollering like that anyway.”

She smiles. “Sure, I want some tacos.”

Chapter 3 Lets Taco ‘Bout It

Lydea

What am I doing? I don’t know this man. But hell, I am hungry. If the tacos are on the way to my house, let’s go get some tacos.

Champ is already well ahead of Frank, and he’s just driving me home.

He pulls up to an adorable taco truck that’s almost too cute for me to believe it has great food. But the line snaking all through the picnic tables tells me otherwise. Everybody in the line being Black really locks in that seal of approval.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and go to open my door. “Whoa, hold up. Let me get that for you.” He hops out of the car and hurries to open my door, reaching his hand out to help me up.

I take his hand and look up at him, really taking in his face.

Damn. He has a very symmetrical face. It’s attractive. Strong jawline. Razor sharp hairline. Dark eyes you can fall into. This man is fine.

I let him help me out of the car. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he closes the car door and leads me to the back of the line.

“You ever ate here?” He asks.

The smell in the air tells me that although I’ve never been here before, I’ll need to start making a stop.

I strain my neck to look up at him. I bet he doesn’t lie about his height on his dating profiles.