“Boss, I think we’re about finished with the van. Do you want us to drive you to the parts shop? We can test drive the van at the same time.”
“That makes sense.” I force a smile.
Jimmy eyes me strangely, but he doesn’t make a comment.
As we’re walking into the mechanic bay, a customer saunters into the shop. “I’m looking for Riley?”
“That’s me.” I raise a hand.
“April down at The Pink Garage said she’s full, but that I could maybe try you. I have this issue with the brakes stickingand it’s making me really nervous about driving. Can you take a look at it?”
“Of course.” I turn to the old man at my side. “Jimmy, can you onboard our client?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I meet the client’s eyes and smile confidently. “This is Jimmy. He’ll be collecting some information from you and then we’ll get started on your car right away.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Boss,” Jimmy says in a low voice, “what about the van?”
I gesture to the sulking teenager in our team. “Blade, come with me. Carlos and Jimmy, you work on the brakes issue.”
Once both men acknowledge the instruction, I follow Blade to the church van. He climbs into the driver’s seat while I take the passenger seat.
The van rumbles to life and the knocking sounds that the pastor complained about is noticeably absent.
“Good as new,” Blade boasts as he moves the stick shift. “I told Carlos it was the timing belt.”
“Hm.” I stare out the window.
“He didn’t believe me. Said it was the crankshaft. We even had a bet.”
“That’s nice,” I murmur, my thoughts far away.
Is Nat getting back with Layla? It’s not possible, is it? Didn’t she have a boyfriend?
“Loser pays for lunch. I’m getting steak at The Tuna.”
“Wow.” I make a fist and pound my chest to ease the pressure there.
That rock-in-the-middle-of-my-ribs sensation feels so painfully familiar. Yeesh, I’m not about to cry, am I? When I was twelve, I would cry every time Nat got a new girlfriend. Which was often. Nathan Campbell was allergic to being single and he wasverypopular with the ladies.
“Look, there’s a unicorn crossing the road,” Blade says.
“Careful,” I murmur mindlessly.
The kid bursts out laughing, and I look his way. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.”
I straighten my shoulders, determined not to let my mind wander again. “Are you messing around or are you listening to the car?”
“I’m doing my job, Boss. You doing yours?”
“Don’t get cheeky.”
“You got man trouble, don’t you?” Blade says, shooting me a knowing grin. “My mom acts the same way every time she breaks up with one of her loser boyfriends.”
