I don’t appreciate being known as ‘the guy with the leg’, but if the leg fits…
“Nathan Campbell!” A face I finally recognize appears. Jimmy skips into view, wearing a welcoming grin. “Good to see you again.”
“You too, Jimmy.” I swivel away from the other two mechanics who are still staring me down as if I’ve stepped into enemy turf. “Where’s Riley?”
“She went to the bathroom, I think.”
“Oh.”
“You’re Riley’s boyfriend?” The younger one asks me, and there’s a hint of disapproval in his tone.
I narrow my eyes at him. Is he interested in Riley too?
“Nah, he’s Riley’s brother,” Jimmy says easily.
I stiffen. Why did I go around telling anybody who would listen that I’m Riley’s brother? Looking back, it was obvious that I was overcompensating because—at that point—I already knew I had feelings for her.
Should have just kept my big mouth shut.
“If he’s her brother, then why’d he bring flowers?” The other man points out.
Jimmy’s gaze whips to me. “Flowers? What flowers?”
“Nat, you’re here.” Riley’s beautiful voice is a hallelujah chorus to my ears.
I eagerly break away from the circle of mechanics who are all starting to regard me with suspicion and make my way to her.
As usual, her eyes are outlined with something dark and she’s wearing a mechanic jumpsuit zipped down halfway to reveal a tank top.
However, she’s wearing a new hairstyle. Rather than her usual ponytail, half of her hair is in a loose bun at the back of her head and the rest spirals around her shoulders. She’s kept the two tendrils at the front of her face.
I stop dead when I see her.
How could a woman be so stunningly attractive? It’s insanity.
“Hi,” I say, drinking her in.
Riley fights a burgeoning smile. “Hi.”
Someone rudely and loudly sniffs the air. “Is thatperfume?” asks the young boy.
At the question, Riley pulls her lips into her mouth.
“I smell it too,” the other mechanic agrees.
Jimmy looks worriedly at Riley. “Boss, are you feeling sick? Your cheeks are red.”
“Not just her cheeks. Her lips are red too.” The young one peers at Riley’s lips—an act that I immediately take issue with.
The older man laughs. “I think that’s called lipstick, bro.”
“Why’d you put on lipstick?” Jimmy asks.
Riley’s eyes dart all around the room. “I’ll share out the tamales. Wash your hands and join me in the office when you’re done.”
She takes off like a gunshot towards the back of the shop. Refusing to be left behind with her mechanics, I chase her down.
The moment she locks the door behind me, Riley lets out a breath and presses a hand to her chest. “My heart is beating so fast.”
