"You haven’t asked about your car yet."

Helena was so grateful to Dylan for changing the topic. She put the photo back in the envelope and turned to look at her. She had completely forgotten about the last night accident. She still felt ashamed for letting Dylan see her in that state.

"Oh, yes. What happened to my car? Nobody has contacted me from the police station."

"It was kept under custody by the police, I took it this afternoon, soon after the meeting, and brought it to your garage, I called your insurance and they gave me the address. They’ll let you have an estimate about how much it will cost to repair it by the end of the week." That sounded as much as a typical conversation of an established long-term couple, that Helena could not help thinking what it would be like, to have Dylan in her life as stable presence.

"Well, thank you. That’s weird. I mean, you taking care of my things like this…"

"I like that"

"I thought you were an artist, no time for practical things."

"When you live alone for more than 3 years, without a staff of personal assistants, you may need to face practical issues soon or later" Dylan replied with a half smile.

"Touché"

"Anyway, I guess you have another car available, right?"

"Actually I’ve not. I thought that would have been a waste, to have more than one for me only. But don’t worry, I’ll find one soon."

"I was thinking, I’ve a monthly rent contract for this car. If you want you can keep it, and bring it back to the car rental as soon as you’ll have your one repaired. I’m leaving tonight for San Francisco."

"Really? Are you leaving tonight?"

"Yes, I told you. This is my last night in town"

"I believed that was just a strategy to ask me out" Helena’s could not hide her change of mood.

"If you want I can show you the flight ticket. Remember? I promised you: no more lies…"

Helena felt confused. Anger was still there, for how Dylan behaved and made a fool of her, during her award-winning performance with Nikki. But delusion and sadness and other mixed up feelings were struggling into her, when she realized that would probably be the last time she and Dylan were together. Her face revealed how upset she was, and her voice was shaking. "I… I don’t think I can keep your car. It’s so not my style" She closed her eyes and smelled the perfume of Dylan, touched the velvet seats she felt on her thighs the night they went to Dylan’s house after the "test", and the same sensations came back.. No, she could definitely not use that car without being constantly reminded of that woman.