Permanent Ink [PUBLISHED]

t w o

"Are you parked far away?" I ask, pulling the hoodie over my head as beads of rain come crashing down around us.

"Just a few lanes over," Blake says, not all phased by the weather. "We're close, don't worry, you won't melt."

"Funny," I sing, trying to avoid all the puddles. Why did I wear white shoes? "Hey, are you still driving the Lexus?"

"Of course," Blake says, maneuvering through all the parked cars. "I just bought it two years ago."

"Is it good on gas?" I ask as we stop behind the trunk. "I need to get a car and I'm trying to narrow down my options."

"Well, it's a hybrid, so yes, it's great on gas," Blake says, loading up my suitcases. "Are you looking at new or used cars?"

I scoff. "New car, for sure. I'm planning on leasing one as soon as I decide on the make and model. The new Mercedes looks so cool, it has-"

"Leasing?" Blake cuts me off, completely aghast. "Never lease a car, Cassandra. It's a waste of money. It's basically like paying rent, you'll gain zero equity. At least if you finance a vehicle, it'll be yours at the end of the term."

"I don't want to buy a car though," I retort as we hop into the Lexus. "My taste changes every couple of years. This year I might want an SUV, but maybe next year, I'll want a convertible. Leasing is more flexible, you can trade your car in at any time."

Blake starts the engine and pulls out of the parking spot. "You could just buy two cars in that case," he jokes, turning onto the highway. "Anything but leasing."

I let out a quiet laugh. "Maybe you can buy two cars but I certainly can't, well, maybe I can after I sell my parents' house."

Blake briefly turns his head towards me. "You've decided to sell it?"

"Yeah, if I'm going to be working downtown then it makes no sense to live in the suburbs."

"Well, if you're going to be living and working downtown, maybe you don't need a car at all," Blake teases. "Problem solved."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Are you suggesting that I take transit? When's the last time you've been on a bus, huh? I wanna guess that it's been a while."

"I do not recall." Blake clears his throat. "Possibly sometime last year?"

"Mhm," I hum. "Sure. You wouldn't even take the subway last time we were together in New York. You made us cab everywhere!"

Blake presses his lips into a thin line. "Checkmate."

"That's what I thought." I toss him a satisfied smile. "Leasing it is."

Blake lets out a long exhale. "I forgot how difficult you are," he muses. "But I'm looking forward to the challenge."

"I think you'll survive." I roll my eyes, grinning like an idiot. "So, how's the New York office doing? Are you open yet?"