The hum of the heavy engine filled the cabin as we ate up the miles, the trees blurring past in the gathering darkness. We had been driving for a little bit when Jarek broke the quiet, his voice cutting through the steady rumble of the tires.
"So, um... Kira, is it?"
I shifted in my seat and looked back over my shoulder at him. "Yep. And you are?"
"Jarek," he said, offering a hand toward the front seat.
I reached my right arm awkwardly around my body, leaning back just enough to grab his hand for a brief, stiff shake.
"We haven't had the pleasure to meet," he added, his grip lingering a second longer than necessary before I pulled away and turned back toward the windshield.
A moment passed before I felt the air grow warmer behind my neck. Jarek leaned in closer, resting his forearms
