Car Pool by Karin Kallmaker Read Free Book Online

seemed tall to her.
    “Thanks, but I’m going to be late back from my break,” Shay said. It looked like she was going to spend every morning and evening with someone who was moody, even if she was attractive. As if that had anything to do with the ability to drive a car, she told herself. Gutter brain. I’m not responsible, she thought. It’s sleep deprivation.
    “Oh. You know, I never caught your name.”
    Shay felt herself flush as she remembered how she had deliberately not introduced herself. She hoped it didn’t show. Okay, she had been rude, but she still felt a little justified. It was so cloistered and sanitary in the Exec Building. This woman probably had no idea what products and toxic
    by-products were produced here. “Shay Sumoto. I live in Berkeley, just below campus.”
    “I’m up near Tilden. Behind the Claremont, but north a bit,” Anthea offered. “Do you have the form? I can’t wait to sign the thing.”
    Shay handed it over. It would be lovely to live up above the Berkeley flats in a place that had lots of windows. She saw Anthea’s eyes flick over her without a change in her expression, but nevertheless Shay wished she had ironed her skirt. It was worse for wear from being kept in a file cabinet, and it didn’t help her mood that it was the skirt she’d bought to wear to her father’s funeral — the only skirt she had worn in about ten years.
    “Well, we can’t get across the Dumbarton for free, but we can sure use the car pool lanes. I’ll send this over in the inter-refinery mail,” Anthea offered as she put the form down on her desk.
    “There’s also a Lois Myers who wants to join a car pool, too. We could get out of the bridge toll that way.”
    Anthea’s head jerked up. “I — I’ve found it’s a little harder to coordinate with three people. We can skip the toll by driving through San Jose in the morning and taking the bridge home. A big circle. With the car pool lanes it’s a little faster in the morning to take the long way,” Anthea said, all in a rush.
    Shay saw a red flush creep up Anthea’s throat. What brought that on, she wondered. “Okay. Well, we’ll see how it goes.”
    “We should get the pass in about three weeks … unless the idiot who runs CPS is on vacation.” Anthea rolled her eyes and the flush receded.
    Shay nodded knowingly. “I know just what you mean. Um, well, even without the pass, we could still drive together, couldn’t we? And park in the remote lot. I brought it over so that — could we start as soon as possible, like tomorrow?”
    “I’d love to. Commuting alone has been hell. I’ve been so tempted to risk the hundred-dollar ticket and use the car pool lanes anyway.”
    “You’re sure it’s faster to go all the way around in the morning?”
    Anthea smiled. Shay remembered the charming expression, but hadn’t seen the added nuance of… well, something like glee. “Believe me, I’ve tried all the options.” Anthea wriggled her eyebrows knowingly.
    Shay swallowed hard. Good lord, her mind was getting soft if she thought this woman was flirting with her. She probably flirted with everyone. “You’ll have to show me,” Shay said lightly.
    “I’ll be glad to,” Anthea said, her voice returning to its pleasant professional tone. “Where would be the most convenient place to pick you up?”
    “Corner of Milvia and University? In front of Luciano’s Pizza?”
    “Sure, I know where that is. Well,” Anthea said briskly, “I should pick you up around six-twenty to be here at half-past seven. That’ll give us each time to catch the parking lot shuttle. Oh, here, write down your number on this.”
    “Okay.” Shay scrawled her extension and home phone on the piece of paper Anthea proffered. “This is terrific. See you in the morning.” She hurried away, aware of her heel’s click, but more concerned with getting back to the field trailers before someone
    noticed how long she’d been gone. Maybe here no one watched breaks