Leo let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Really? I thought for sure that would stop me."

"Even better! Paying in cash—or with a cashier's check—makes this much easier. If you were trying to get a loan, most auto lenders require a valid driver's license to approve the financing. Since you are paying outright, we skip that hurdle entirely." "Great! So we can wrap this up?" Leo asked.

"That is an incredibly generous gift," Marcus said warmly. "Now, while you don't need a license to buy it, there are a few hurdles we need to clear to get this deal done and get the car off the lot legally."

"Perfect," Marcus said, making a checkmark. "Second: . Are you paying cash, or do you need financing?"

The dealership smelled like expensive leather and floor wax, a scent that usually made Leo’s stomach flip with excitement. Today, it just made him nervous. He gripped his messenger bag tightly, his eyes locked on the prize sitting in the center of the showroom: a certified pre-owned, midnight-blue sedan. "She's a beauty, isn't she?"

"Almost," Marcus smiled. "Here are the final two pieces of the puzzle. First, we need . You cannot legally drive a car off the lot without auto insurance. Since you don't have a license, you won't be able to get a standard policy as the primary driver. However, you can list your sister as the primary driver on the policy, or find a specialty carrier that allows an unlicensed owner."