Janina was dragging her suitcase out of the hotel lobby when a minivan pulled up right in front of her.
The driver leaned out the window and called to her, "Miss, need a ride? Where are you headed?"
Janina had just opened her ride-hailing app. She looked up and saw it was a shuttle van with bold letters on the side: [HOTEL-AIRPORT SHUTTLE.]
These types of vans usually partnered with hotels for long-distance transport. As long as you paid, they'd take you anywhere, even thousands of miles away.
Since a ride was right here, there was no need to wait for another car. Janina nodded. "To the airport."
"You got it. Hop in," the driver said with a grin.
Seeing her suitcase, the driver got out enthusiastically to help her put it in the trunk.
The sky was overcast, a heavy, oppressive gray.
The air clung to her skin, heavy and damp.
Even with the air conditioning on in the car, it was hard to shake off the muggy feeling.
A major storm was clearly on its way.
The forecast called for rain by late afternoon, then a tropical storm rolling in overnight with sheets of rain.
In the car, the driver was very talkative, chatting away about the local culture of Seacrest—the best places to visit, the most affordable restaurants, and how the tourist traps ripped people off.
Janina listened, offering a brief response now and then.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the airport.
The driver got out again to retrieve Janina's suitcase from the trunk.
Before she left, he handed her a business card. "Next time you're in Seacrest and need a car, give me a call. I can take you anywhere. There isn't a place in this city I don't know."
The driver was slightly heavyset, and he flashed a big, toothy grin.
The card had a name printed on it: Aiden, followed by a phone number.
Janina found the driver not only friendly but also seemingly kind-hearted. She nodded. "Okay, thank you."

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