Aligned: Volume 2 Read Online Free Page B

around her. I’m drawn to her in a way I don’t even understand.  
    She notices my reaction and frowns as her eyes drift to the ground. She folds her arms across her chest and retreats from me, shifting her weight backward. “I should go,” she says motioning to the elevators behind her.  
    “Wait …” I say putting my hand on her shoulder to stop her. Her emerald eyes meet mine, and sadness emulates from them. She stares at me waiting, but I don’t know what to say. God, what is wrong with me? I always know what to say. I’m turning into a pussy every time I’m around this woman.  
    “What about the bets? The agreements we made,” I say, and my shoulders relax as I speak. This is the way. This will be how I get back into her life at least as a friend.  
    “What bets?” A confused expression scrunches her face.  
    “We agreed that when your leg healed, we would go running and see who the real pussy was. We also agreed if I let you drive my car, then I would get to drive yours. I would like to take you up on one of those offers today.” I grin smugly waiting for her to argue with me, but she won’t win. I never go back on an agreement.  
    To my surprise, her eyes light up just a little, and she grins smugly back at me. “Fine. My car is right outside. Let’s go, old man.”  
    I follow her outside, not sure what to expect. She has a small condo, and while she has a well-established photography career, I have no idea how much money she makes or what her dead husband used to make. But I am definitely not expecting what I’m looking at when we walk out the door.  
    “This is not your car. You’re kidding me, right?” I stare in disbelief as I look at the silver Tesla Roadster. She shrugs and tosses me the keys. I catch them with one hand. She climbs into the passenger seat as I continue to stare in disbelief.  
    “Are you coming or not?”  
    “Definitely coming.” I run to the driver’s side and climb in. The inside is just as sweet as the outside. I look down and notice the three pedals instead of just two and assume the car is a manual transmission. It’s been a while since I drove a manual car, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I look at the stick shift, but it isn’t there. I glance up at Alex in confusion.  
    “Just use the two on the right like you are used to. The pedal on the far left is for me since I drive with my left foot.”  
    I nod and put the car in drive. I take it slowly as we drive down the highway next to the beach. I don’t want to cause a panic attack in her car.  
    “So do you have a name for this baby?” I ask motioning to the Tesla.  
    She laughs softly seemingly relaxed in the seat next to me. “No, I was going to name her Silvia, but that name was already taken.”  
    I laugh and keep driving. “I’ll have to help you come up with a name then. How ‘bout Gabriella?”
    She shakes her head.  
    “Valentina?”
    She shakes her head more fervently sticking her tongue out in disgust.  
    “Isabella?”  
    She laughs this time as she shakes her head. “Do you only know Italian supermodel names? I think you’ve been with a few too many if that’s all you are thinking about.”  
    I frown. “Well, then you name her.”  
    She sits for a minute thinking deeply as if this is the biggest decision she is going to have to make. Her lips curl up into a slight smile. “Tessie!”  
    I shake my head and stick out my tongue in disgust. “That’s not a beautiful enough name for a beautiful car like this.”  
    “Nope, it’s my car. I get to name it, and I like Tessie!”  
    “Fine.” I shake my head laughing. “Tessie, it is. How long have you had this car, anyway? I can’t believe a girl would pick out this nice of a car.”  
    She hits me on the shoulder for the last comment but then frowns slumping back into her seat. “I don’t know how long I’ve had this car. I don’t even know if I picked it out or if Ethan did. Although, it feels