“Don’t get used to it,” he says.
“I won’t,” I promise. But I know he’ll always hold the door for me. Always.
But as we step back into the cold night, walking side by side, I already know that something has shifted.
And neither of us is pretending otherwise.
I wish I had time to dwell on the fact that Ollie saw me naked yesterday, but I have so much work to do right now. I have to get back to the shop and get on my computer.Owen is back from Maggie’s and we’re hanging out while I make calls and finish up paperwork.
A man in a faded black Carhartt jacket stomps up to the counter at the shop. “I need to speak to the boss. My wife dropped off my truck last week, and whoever worked on it did a crap job.”
“Iworked on it,” I say, wiping my hands on my coveralls. “What’s wrong with it?”
He looks at my chest for a long pause, then up at my face in confusion. A laugh bursts out of him. “Yeah, right. Are you the secretary or something? Or just playing dress up for your daddy?”
“Nope. Mechanic and owner too,” I say, pulling every last ounce of patience I have to deal with this tool.
“Well, I want a real mechanic. Someone who knows what they are doing,” he demands.
Nope, don’t like this.
Heat shoots straight up my spine. “If you want it fixed, I’m who you get.”
“I don’t like your attitude, sweetheart,” he hisses, glaring at me.
“I don’t like your sexist bullshit attitude, yet here we are,” I snap, matching his energy.
Damn. I need money, but not at this cost. Something tells me if I do anything for this guy, he’s just going to become an even bigger headache. Nothing will make him happy.
That sets him off. “My wife dropped my truck off and told you to fix two things. Now they’re not fixed, and I want a refund, you stupid bitch.”
Before I can reply, Owen bursts out of the office, eyes blazing. “Shut up! You don’t talk to my sister like that!”
The guy jerks his head back and grits his teeth. “Teach that brat some manners.”
“Teach yourself some manners,” Owen snaps, fists clenched. “She’s the best mechanic in town!”
My chest squeezes as Owen sticks up for me. Not needed, but dang. He’s so sweet. He’s getting ice cream later. Maybe even his favorite cereal, too.
“Owen,” I say softly. “Thank you. Go to the office, please. I’ve got this.”
He stomps away, muttering about grown men being jerks. He isn’t wrong.
I stare the guy down. “When your truck was dropped off, I was instructed to change the tension belt. That was it. I have it documented here. That’s what I did. And that’s what you were charged. Whatever else you have going on, I wasn’t made aware of.”
He rolls his eyes and says, “Well, you should fix it for free since you wasted my time having to come back down here.”
I blink and stare at him, wondering just how many loose screws this guy has. “So, let me get this straight. You want me to fix your vehicle for free because you didn’t clearly communicate the things you wanted fixed?”
“That’s right, sweetheart.” He glares, folding his arms, as if he’s trying to look intimidating.
“I think there’s probably a mechanic in Jackson who can help you out,” I tell him calmly and nod to the door.
“You aren’t a real mechanic,” he sneers.
“Get out.” I point to the door, my eyes on his, not wavering.
“Sully wouldn’t have run this place like this,” he spits out.
