Steel & Smoke

r car, you don't panic. You simp

, head tilted, eyes fixed firmly on the woman who'

face that belonged in a vintage painting. Medium height, tan skin that looked like it had seen sunris

ought Tuesday

its usual sarcastic edge, "pray tell, who's the l

d herself, glaring at me like I was the probl

nd does the runaway bride have a name, or should I

but she answered any

had the name of some

you sprinting through traffic l

ng. "I was running because marrying Dant

ing flickering d

ar. I knew

hers now, amusement fading into sharper inte

d, tension bleeding in

just for a momen

eless laugh that made my driver glance back uncertainly an

at me right now?" she snap

. "Of all the cars in Manhattan, you jump into mine. I can't

her face, clearly unamused, "I just escaped a marri

riousness. "Relax. I'm not mocking you. I'm just marveling at your choice of getaway v

d, her eyes wide and caut

not dealing with a hurt ego and cancelled dinner reserva

t care. I won't marry him.

ke these don't actually require your attendance beyond the first moment? They have lawyers for that. With the right paperwork

instant. She went perfectly still, e

pered. "That c

, fully enjoying the drama unfolding in my back seat, "in Vil

, a tremble begi

t felt

mo

y carefully curated boredom had just collided with genuine chaos

ent. "Lucky for you, you've jumped into the right car. Be