First - sorry it took me so long to update; my creative juices were pretty dry lately which is probably why it's a little shorter! Second - I didn't have anyone proofread this - I wanted to try and go at it on my own. (baby steps!) So if it's horrible I apologize! Let me know! :)
Liz got in the car in and Dembe turned around to greet her. "Hello Liz, ready to go?" Liz smiled, "all set," she said as she shut the door. He turned back around and pulled away from the curb.
No one said anything for a while as they rode in companiable silence. Liz's stomach still had a few butterflies, so she was happy to sit and admire the passing landscape. They had gone just a few blocks when a strange dinging noise sounded from the front. "Shoot." Dembe said. He glanced at Red through the rearview mirror, "I am so sorry, we're going to have to stop for gas. I was so preoccupied on our route that I completely forgot to stop and fill up before we started." Red nodded, "No problem Dembe, whatever you need to do. We're making good time so we're fine."
Dembe spotted a station on the next block and turned in. He pulled up to a pump and turned the car off. Getting out, he was about to shut the door when he stopped and popped his head back in, looking at Liz. "Did you want anything from inside?" Liz shook her head, "No, I'm fine, but thanks Dembe." she replied, smiling. Dembe nodded and pulled out of the car, shutting the door.
Liz looked at Red and he gave her a small smile. "Everything ok?" he asked. Liz started wringing her hands; she had wanted to talk to him about their relationship, but now that she had the opportunity, her nerves were starting to get the better of her. She smiled, "I actually wanted to ask you something." Red nodded and turned his body towards her to show she had his full attention. Liz gathered her courage and took a nervous breath, "Since we're going to be spending the whole afternoon together, I was hoping we could figure out where we are before we get there." He frowned slightly, "Where we are?" Liz nodded, closed her eyes and let out a breath. "I like you. As in, 'I like you and would like to see where this could lead', like you," She paused to take a breath and opened one eye to peek at Red who had his eye brows raised, whether in question or disbelief, she wasn't sure.
She closed her eyes again and waited for him to answer. When he didn't, she opened her eyes all the way and looked at him. He was looking at her with slight humor. "What?" she asked, slightly irritated. "Was that a funny question?" He smiled. "Lizzie, if I didn't feel the same way, do you think I would have accepted your invitation? Especially since I can't stand these events in the first place?" He reached over and wrapped his pinky finger through hers. Looking back at her, he chuckled, "Breathe, Lizzie." She let out out a breath and smiled. "I just wanted to be sure," she said.
He suddenly looked at her very intently and pulled his hand from hers, raising it to cup her cheek. He gave it a gentle caress. "I'm sure," he said softly. She smiled slightly, "Good," she whispered. They stared at each other for a few moments until Dembe returned and opened the door, making her jump. They both chuckled and Red dropped his hand, again covering hers. He looked to Dembe, "Are we all set?" Dembe glanced back and nodded, "Good to go."
They made their way to the main highway and were on their way. Red and Liz were content to make light conversation. They had been driving for about 15 minutes when Dembe suddenly broke hard and started mumbling angrily. Red looked up, "What happened?" Dembe glanced back, "sorry about that, this guy in front of me suddenly shot over and cut me off."
Liz's head shot up to look out the front, "Where?" Dembe pointed to the car in front of theirs. "This guy in the Mercedes. I don't even think he looked, he just shot over and all but clipped our bumper." Liz leaned up, trying to see. "Look at that, he's on his cell phone too. He's not even paying attention, what an idiot! He has a fancy schmancy car so he thinks he can do whatever the heck he wants. I feel like pulling out my gun and blowing out his fancy back tires!" she said as she sat back with an irritated huff.
She looked over at Red and his face had a look of complete shock. "What?" she asked. He continued to stare at her in disbelief. She let out a hard breath. "Sorry, I get a little road rage from time to time." Red blinked, "You think?" he asked sarcastically. Liz smiled slightly and shook her head, "sorry, it can tend to get the better of me. It's just so irritating the way these people drive. You wonder if they even realize there are other people on the road. It's like they're in their own little world."
Red huffed a small laugh and squeezed her hand, "I guess I learned something new about you today." Liz smiled hugely, "HA!" she said. Red nearly jumped from her outburst and looked at her in question. Liz smiled smugly and poked her finger in his chest, "So you DON'T know everything about me!" She sat back and crossed her arms with obvious satisfaction. With a teasing glint in his eyes and a flirtatious smile, Red leaned over until their noses were almost touching and said very softly, "Give me time, Lizzie. Just give me time."