I Promise by Adrianne Byrd

don’t know. I’ve never visited the Lone Star State myself. How long do you reckon?”
    Playfully, she punched his arm for his bad Texas drawl. “Try three days. Do you honestly want to trek across the country, cramped in a car, during one of the hottest summers ever recorded?”
    â€œI’m game if you are.” His grin widened.
    â€œYou’re crazy and I’m crazy to consider it.”
    â€œBut you are, aren’t you?”
    She didn’t reply.
    â€œWhat are you afraid of? I don’t bite.”
    â€œYou can’t prove it by me. And I’m not afraid of you.”
    Tension thickened the growing silence that spanned between them.
    â€œDon’t you have a job to go to?” she asked, seeking a way out of his subtle challenge.
    â€œNope. I’m my own boss.”
    â€œI don’t have any money.”
    â€œI’ll bill you.”
    â€œWhat about lodging?”
    â€œI’ll take care of it.”
    â€œSeparate rooms.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWhat about—”
    â€œAre you always this difficult?”
    She clamped her jaws shut, but not for long. “Are you always this forceful?”
    â€œYes.”
    Trapped, frustrated, and out of excuses, she knew that she would either have to put up or shut up.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œAll right. You’re on.”
    Â 
    Malcolm zipped down Fourteenth Street as the sun cut through the clouds to pierce his eyes and rejuvenate the hangover he’d fought off with a greasy breakfast and massive quantities of caffeine. He reached over Alex’s legs and withdrew a pair of sunglasses from the glove compartment.
    Alex said nothing as she rode next to him and watched the passing scenery without seeing it.
    â€œYou’re awfully quiet this morning.” Malcolm said, swinging his free arm around the back of her headrest.
    â€œI guess I don’t have much to say.”
    â€œI guess it’s a good thing I came over this morning or you wouldn’t have been able to get to work when your car wouldn’t start.”
    â€œYeah. Lucky me.”
    Malcolm changed lanes without the use of his turn signal. A car horn blared behind him and set a thousand hammers pounding inside his head.
    â€œI really wish you’d learn how to drive.” Alex griped. The thought of an accident had her fastening her seat belt.
    He ignored the desire to rub the ache at his temples. “Is there something wrong? Did I do something to you?”
    She expelled a long sigh and shook her head, but her clenched jaws didn’t go unnoticed.
    â€œLook, if I did do something, or said something last night to hurt your feelings, I’m sorry.”
    She remained silent.
    â€œI mean it. I had too much to drink and we both know I did some things I regret.”
    She made no response.
    Malcolm turned onto Jennifer Street, then idled at a stoplight. He shifted into park, then pivoted in his seat to face her.
    Alex stared straight ahead. The long, excruciating drive to Opulence couldn’t possibly get any worse.
    â€œI thought we were close enough to talk about anything,” he said, reaching a hand out to brush a lock of her hair behind her ear.
    â€œThe light’s green,” she informed him in a deadpan voice.
    Vexed, he turned back in his seat and shifted into drive. The car’s wheels squealed as he peeled off.
    Alex chanced a look at him, her frustration exploded. “Will you drive like you have some sense?”
    â€œWhat is wrong with you?”
    â€œYou really don’t have a clue, do you?”
    Malcolm peered at her, his own frustration evident in his gaze.
    â€œPull over,” she demanded sharply.
    His brows stretched upward. “What?”
    â€œPull over, damn it.”
    Stunned, he did as she ordered.
    She unfastened her seat belt, then grabbed her gym bag and purse in a whirl of motion.
    â€œAre you going to tell me what I’ve done?”
    She pressed