“You’re right.” I nod. “Sully would have knocked your teeth out if you came in here talking to him like this.”
His eyes narrow, and he grits out, “Are you going to fix it or not?”
The audacity that this man has.
I stare him down and grind out, “Not. Get the hell out of my shop. Now.”
God, I wish socket wrenches were legal weapons.
He storms out, slamming the door so hard the glass rattles. I turn back to the office and find Owen watchingthrough the window with his arms crossed, shaking his head. He’s so damn cute, I just want to squeeze him.
“It’s alright, buddy. I’m not working with people like that,” I tell him as I pick up my water and take a swig.
My nerves are rattled, but this happens more often than I’d like to think about. Sometimes people suck. They don’t appreciate women working in trades. And I’ve learned that it’s a waste of my time to try to educate them on anything. They have their minds made up. Yeah, I need money. But I’m not going to let anyone talk to me or treat me like this. I won’t tolerate it, especially when Owen’s watching. I’m trying to teach him that we deserve better.
Later that afternoon, while Owen’s at basketball practice with Ollie, I’m elbow deep in the stubborn guts of another truck when the shop door swings open and my besties arrive to save my sanity.
Violet breezes in first, holding a giant brown bag like she’s delivering life support. “I’m here to judge your playlist and gossip about everything you haven’t told me about the shower incident and that asshole bothering you.”
Cami appears right behind her with a giant cake, eyes lighting up. “We got your group text. I heard drama and came running. Please tell me you pulled a Sully and broke their kneecaps.”
Before I can respond, Maggie from the Dogwood Inn marches in carrying a pitcher of what looks like margaritas and a stack of cups under her arm. “Girls, I brought drinks. Poppy needs emotional support.”
In five seconds, Murphy’s Auto Shop becomes a three-ring circus and not the cold and lonely shop it has felt like all day.
“Cami, that is a massive cake.” I laugh when I see it has the wordcongratulationson it.
“I’m working on test cakes for an upcoming wedding and had extra.” She reaches into a paper bag and produces a handful of forks with a grin. “We’re not even gonna cut it. Just eat it.”
I shrug. “Sounds good to me.”
Violet hops up onto the counter and settles in. Cami pushes a straw into her drink and starts talking smack about rude customers. Maggie is already arranging sandwiches as if this were a catered event and muttering, “Anyone insults my girls, they answer to me.”
I laugh until my ribs ache, caught up in the joking and the warmth of it, the kind of laughter that sneaks up on you and reminds you that you’re not doing life by yourself.
“Okay, so tell me what happened,” Violet demands as she takes a forkful of cake. “Mmmm.” She nods. “That’s good!”
“Thanks,” Cami says proudly.
“It was so embarrassing,” I admit. “I didn’t know he was there and he saw...everything.”
Cami shrugs. “And? Maybe it’s time you take it to the next level.”
I huff. “No! I told you guys. I can’t mess up what we have.”
Maggie smirks at me. “I think it’d be fun to mess it up.”
Cami scrunches her nose. “Well, that’s my brother, but I hate to say it. Maggie’s right. Maybe you should have a little getaway with Ollie. Like, get stranded in a cabin in the snow. Or break down in the middle of nowhere and have to keep each other warm.”
I look at her and say dryly, “No.”
“Sounds romantic,” Violet says softly.
I shake my head, heart pounding. No getaways. Best friends don’t go on romantic getaways.
Because if I do, I won’t be able to pretend this is still just friendship.
Chapter 7
