Chapter 2 — The Test Drive Mishap
Theo Ashcroft
The morning sun climbed higher, streaking the dealership lot with golden light and casting shifting reflections on the showroom’s glass façade. Theo Ashcroft flipped the hybrid’s keys idly in his hand, his mind lingering on Calla. She was unlike anyone who’d walked onto this lot before—sharp, composed, and utterly unruffled by his charm. Her precision intrigued him, but it was the brief flicker of vulnerability in her fingers, brushing the edge of her sleeve, that caught his attention. Just a crack in the armor, but enough to make him wonder.
“Hybrid it is,” Theo muttered to himself, squaring his shoulders as he strode toward the lot. He spotted her where he’d left her, clipboard clutched firmly, her stance deliberate. She was all control and focus, a walking checklist of logic. Yet, as he approached, he couldn’t help but notice the faint tension in her posture—the weight of that control, perhaps.
“Your chariot awaits,” he called, spinning the keys once on his finger before catching them neatly.
Calla turned her head with the precision of a compass point settling into place. “Let’s see if it lives up to the hype,” she said, her tone cool but not biting, and walked toward him with steady purpose.
Theo grinned and opened the driver’s side door with a flourish. “Ever driven a hybrid before?”
“No,” she replied, sliding into the seat. She adjusted the mirrors and buckled her seatbelt fluidly, her movements deliberate as if each one were a step in a practiced formula. “But I’ve done my research.”
“Of course you have,” Theo said, the teasing in his voice tempered by genuine admiration. He circled to the passenger side and slipped into his seat. Her focused gaze swept over the dashboard, cataloging every button and readout like a puzzle to solve. “Shall we?”
Calla arched an eyebrow, her face a portrait of calm skepticism. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Theo chuckled, gesturing to the power button. “Fair enough. Start her up, and we’ll see where this adventure takes us.”
The car hummed quietly to life as Calla pressed the button. She eased it out of the lot with practiced care, her hands steady on the wheel. The only sounds were the soft hum of the tires and the faint rustle of papers on her clipboard.
“It’s quiet,” Calla remarked, her tone clinical as she tested the steering. “And responsive.”
Theo leaned back, watching her. “You should hear it on the highway. Smooth as silk. Pretty fuel-efficient, too. Care to take a guess at the mileage?”
“Fifty-two MPG combined,” she replied without missing a beat.
Theo blinked, momentarily thrown. “Impressive. Memorizing specs before shopping?”
“I like to be prepared,” she said simply, her gaze fixed firmly ahead.
He grinned. “You know, I’ve been doing this a long time, but I think you’re the first customer to do my job for me.”
A flicker of amusement softened her expression—brief, almost imperceptible. She turned onto the winding country road just outside of town. The dealership and its gleaming rows of cars fell away in the rearview mirror, replaced by golden fields swaying gently in the breeze.
“This is a good route,” Calla commented, her voice quieter now.
“It’s my favorite,” Theo admitted. The curves of the road had a way of making everything feel lighter, freer. He glanced out at the fields, their familiarity stirring something nostalgic. “The views help. It’s a great reminder of why I love this town.”
She shot him a glance, skeptical but curious. “Is this part of the sales pitch?”
“Not exactly,” he said with a grin. “But I guess you could say it’s a personal touch.”
Before she could respond, the car sputtered. The hybrid’s quiet hum faltered, then cut out completely, leaving them in an unsettling silence. The golden fields swayed tranquilly around them, oblivious to the sudden tension inside the stalled car.
“What the—” Calla tightened her grip on the steering wheel, coasting the car neatly to the shoulder. Her jaw tightened as she exhaled sharply, her composure strained.
Theo frowned, leaning forward to scan the dashboard. “That’s… odd. This model’s usually solid.”
“Usually?” Calla repeated, her voice edged with irritation. She turned to him, her gaze sharp. “Not exactly reassuring.”
Theo winced. “Fair point. But don’t worry—I’ve got this.” He unbuckled his seatbelt, his confidence only slightly forced, and climbed out of the car. The gravel crunched rhythmically under his shoes as he approached the hood and popped it open.
Calla followed, clipboard conspicuously absent. She crossed her arms as she stood beside him, her stance defensive. “Do you actually know what you’re doing, or is this just for show?”
Theo glanced up, catching the challenge in her tone. “I’ll have you know I grew up fixing cars in my dad’s garage. This isn’t my first rodeo.”
Her eyebrow arched, though her skepticism softened a fraction. “So, can you fix it?”
Theo leaned into the engine bay, his hands deftly brushing over wires and components. His fingers paused briefly on a worn connector, his mind flashing back to countless afternoons in his father’s shop. The smell of oil and faint tang of metal stirred memories of grease-stained hands and the hum of a radio playing softly in the background. He shook the thought away and focused.
“Looks like an electrical issue,” he said at last, stepping back and wiping his hands on his slacks. “Nothing I can patch up out here.”
“Perfect.” Calla exhaled sharply, her frustration breaking through. She glanced at the empty road, her fingers drifting unconsciously to the chain of her compass. The tarnished silver caught the sunlight as she fiddled with it, her movements small but telling.
“Hey, it’s not all bad,” Theo said, leaning casually against the car. “You’re stranded with the most resourceful guy at the dealership. Could be worse.”
Calla turned to him, her expression a blend of disbelief and faint amusement. “You think very highly of yourself, don’t you?”
“It’s all part of the charm,” he replied with a wink, then softened his tone. “I’ll call Brooke. She can bring the tow truck and get us back to the lot.”
As Theo pulled out his phone, Calla wandered a few steps away, the breeze tugging loose strands of her dark hair. She stared out at the fields, her grip tightening on the compass. The quiet stretched between them, broken only by the occasional rustle of grass.
“Do you always keep talking?” she asked suddenly, her voice quieter now.
Theo blinked, lowering the phone. “What?”
“You always seem to have something to say,” Calla said, glancing back at him.
He considered her for a moment, her guarded expression softened by something closer to weariness. “Not always,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “Sometimes it’s easier to keep talking than to think too much about what’s not working.”
Calla tilted her head, studying him. “That’s… surprisingly honest.”
Theo chuckled lightly, though the sound carried an edge of self-awareness. “I have my moments.” He gestured toward the car. “Speaking of honesty, this whole situation isn’t exactly great for my pitch.”
To his surprise, Calla let out a soft chuckle. “No, it’s not.”
The tension between them eased, just slightly. Theo found himself watching her again—the way her fingers rested lightly on the compass, the almost-smile that she didn’t quite let show. Something about her felt distant but not unreachable, like a puzzle half-solved.
“So, what’s your story?” he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself.
Calla hesitated, her fingers brushing the engraved edge of the compass. “I’m not sure this is the time for personal stories.”
“We’re stranded,” Theo pointed out. “Nothing but time.”
She sighed, the sound carrying more weight than she likely intended. “I’m a math teacher, as you already guessed. I like structure. Logic. Control.”
“And?” Theo prompted gently.
“And that’s it,” she said, her tone clipped, though her hand lingered on the compass for a beat longer.
Theo raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “You’re telling me there’s nothing else? No dreams, no hobbies, no guilty pleasure for cheesy reality shows?”
Calla’s lips twitched, though she quickly masked it. “I like what I do. That’s enough.”
Theo leaned back against the car, his hair ruffling in the breeze. “You know, sometimes it’s okay to want more.”
Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon, her voice quieter when she finally replied. “Maybe.”
The rumble of an approaching engine broke the moment. Theo turned to see Brooke’s tow truck bouncing down the road, her auburn pixie cut poking out the driver’s side window as she flashed a cheeky grin.
“Need a lift, big brother?”
Theo smirked. “Took you long enough.”
Brooke hopped out, tossing a glance at Calla. “And who’s this? The infamous checklist lady?”
Calla flushed faintly but held her ground. “Calla,” she said simply.
“Well, Calla,” Brooke said, securing the hybrid to the truck, “welcome to the Ashcroft circus. Don’t worry, we mostly keep it together.”
Theo groaned. “Ignore her. She’s a menace.”
Calla allowed herself a faint smile as Brooke winked at Theo. For the first time that day, Theo felt like he’d made a small dent in her armor. And maybe, just maybe, being stranded wasn’t such a disaster after all.
