“Elmer, where are you even going?” Niamh asked, puzzled.
“To get something to eat, of course!” Elmer replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“You need to cross city lines just for a meal?”
“How could that be…”
Elmer shook his head.
Niamh had just started to relax when Elmer added, “It’s out of the country.”
“…What?!”
Niamh stared at him, stunned.
Elmer just glanced at her with a little smile and didn’t bother to explain further.
Typical Niamh—she still hadn’t remembered what day it was.
The white Lexus sped smoothly down the highway, the world outside rushing past in a blur.
Above them, the sun slowly slid from blazing noon to a golden, melting dusk.
Niamh drifted off to sleep in the passenger seat.
When she woke, the last light was slipping below the horizon, and Elmer was still driving.
“How long have you been at this?”
“Six hours, maybe?”
“Let me take over. You’re going to fall asleep at the wheel at this rate.”
“No need. Go back to sleep. I took a break at a rest stop earlier.”
Niamh hadn’t realized she’d slept that long—she’d thought she’d only been out for ten, maybe twenty minutes. Maybe she’d been extra tired lately, or maybe it was just that Elmer’s presence made her feel safe.
She couldn’t help but smile, biting back a laugh.
“What’s got you so happy all of a sudden?” Elmer asked, curious.
“Oh, nothing.” She looked over at him, honest and unguarded. “Just thinking… it’s really nice having you around.”
“Mmm.” Elmer nodded, as if he agreed completely. “I think I’m pretty great myself.”
Niamh laughed again.
Elmer knew she didn’t mean anything flirtatious; he didn’t read more into it than she intended.
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