Excerpt

“Alexandra… Alexandra, wake up.” I hear a deep, voice protruding from my dream from a distance. I reluctantly open my eyes and see that I’m practically lying on Cyrus’ lap and he’s still sitting gripping the wheel in his hands. I sit up as quickly as I can.

“I’m sorry Cyrus, I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I haven’t slept so much in ages. Where are we?” I ask, stifling a yawn.

“We’re halfway home. I’ve stopped here for a gas refill and I’m thinking maybe we should get something to eat. And then on the way back, perhaps you’d like to nap in the back seat where you can stretch out more comfortably.”

He’s grinning at me, and I’m not sure if he’s teasing me or being serious. I nod quietly and follow him into the diner. We find a cozy booth and seat ourselves. We decide on what we want. I'm so hungry right now, I order a double cheeseburger and extra fries, and then I excuse myself to freshen up. I go to the ladies room and take the opportunity to fix my appearance. I reapply a fresh coat of lipstick and brush my hair. I feel a lot better as I head back. I’m relieved to think that maybe the effects of the meds are finally wearing off. Our food has arrived by the time I return. I smile at Cyrus as our eyes meet across the table. Now that my sanity is slowly returning, I am mortified at the way I’ve behaved with him so far. He is my boss after all. That is unless my crazy behavior has convinced him to fire me. “I want to apologize for my behavior. I don’t know what I was thinking, sleeping on you like that.” I wince. That sounds so wrong.

“I’m not sure what medications they gave me at the hospital, but it’s the only reason I can think of for my inappropriate behavior.”

Cyrus gives me a half-smile and it looks like he’s trying to contain even that.

“It’s alright Alexandra. The discharging nurse had mentioned that there could be some effects. Those painkillers were pretty strong. Please have some food. It should help.”

I nod and start picking at my fries. The thing is that now that we’re discussing it, I’m also remembering some other idiotic things I may have blurted to him in my drug-induced state. I think I remember complaining to him about Eric. Before I can stop myself, I cover my face with my hands.

“Alexandra, what’s wrong?”

“I’m so sorry. I’m just remembering everything that I said to you during the drive. I’m really really sorry.”

Cyrus reaches across the table and gently pulls my hand off my face. I gather the nerve to look him in the eyes. Instead of harsh judgment or scorn, I see mild amusement.

“It was the painkillers Alexandra, and also I don’t believe you said anything embarrassing. You, uh, simply expressed your feelings and opinions on certain topics.”

He’s being too kind. I explicitly remember crying to him about what a loser I am. Telling him that I’ve never had a boyfriend in my life, and that I still don't know whether I’m in a relationship with Eric or not. “It’s nice of you to say so, Cyrus, but I’m afraid the memories are coming back quite clearly now. I had no business telling you about Eric.”

“Ah yes, well, about Eric. You seemed somewhat confused. Do you want to talk about him?”

Absolutely not! Why would he think that I’d want to talk about something so personal with him? Because I already blabbed the most embarrassing details to him, that’s why, I remind myself. I shake my head vehemently to reply to his question. He chuckles briefly and nods. We finish the rest of our dinner in awkward silence. I follow him back to my car and sit in the passenger seat again after reassuring him multiple times that I do not prefer the back seat as I do not intend to sleep anymore. We drive in the same awkward silence for a while but then Cyrus breaks the ice by asking about the car.

“This is such a beautiful car. Is it a ‘95 or a ‘96 model?” This topic immediately puts me at ease.

“It’s a 1995 model,” I tell him, smiling happily.

“My grandad got it for my dad when he graduated from high school. My dad gifted it to me last night as an early graduation present.” I stroke the inside leather of the dashboard affectionately.

“Well, your dad has kept it in pristine condition. Hardly any miles on it either.”

“Yes he’s always treasured it too much to drive it…. Which is why I was so surprised when he gifted it to me this morning…”

Some brief emotion flits across his face as he looks at me and then he turns back to the road.

“What?”

He shrugs. “Obviously you’re a lot more precious to him than this car.”

And then he speaks so softly that I’m not sure if he’s actually said it or if I’ve imagined it.

“Any man lucky to have you in his life should find you the most precious thing in it.” Since I’m not sure whether he’s actually spoken those words or I’ve imagined them, I ignore them and we drive in silence for a while.

We stop at a drive through coffee shop and Cyrus orders my favorite coffee for me. I can’t help smiling. There’s something so strange and yet intimate about sitting in this tiny sports car for so long with this magnetic man, who already seems so familiar and comfortable in my company. I can’t help comparing this feeling of bliss with the still unfamiliar feeling I get around Eric. We are an hour away from home when Cyrus breaks the silence again.

“Alexandra, I may have a solution for your dilemma with Eric.”