When, at last, Nigel pulled into Kate's neighborhood, the woman was asleep. Determined not to disturb her, he parked the car in her driveway, next to a brand-new red Hummer. It didn't take long for her to wake up; and when she did, she found herself face-to-face with the car of her dreams. "What in the name of –"
"Surprise!" Nigel grinned. "You said you wanted one, and I owed you a car… so…" He gestured out toward the grand vehicle.
For the first time in a long time, Kate wore a genuine smile. "Thank you Nigel." She meant it, and Nigel could tell. "I guess you really are a… great guy."
This compliment left its recipient nearly speechless. "Thank you," he whispered at length. "You're not half bad yourself. I'm sorry I was so rude to you. Sometimes, it's just hard to tell—"
"No; it's okay. It's all in the past, but all warnings still stand. And this doesn't mean—"
"It doesn't mean anything," Nigel finished her statement for her. "I just bought you a car. That's it. And now, since we're back, would you like any help with your things?"
After a short pause, Kate Switzer's smile faded and she simply replied, "No, thank you." With that, she grabbed her bags and disappeared into her cozy little home.
Nigel Townsend, grin still plastered across his face, pulled slowly out of the driveway and took off toward his own home.