My face heats up even as I vehemently deny it. “It’s none of your business and I don’t, but again, even if I did, that would be none of your business.”
“If your man’s giving you trouble, you can always come to me,” Blade says.
And I have to stop myself from blurting out a very enthusiastic ‘eww’. Even if he wasn’t a teenager, I wouldn’t consider Blade as a potential partner.
“Seems like you’ve got a lot of time on your hands to talk nonsense. When we get back, I’ll be sure to give you extra work, so you don’t have that problem anymore.”
Blade rolls his eyes and turns up the radio mumbling, “Take it out on him, not me. He’s the one you’re mad at.”
You know what?
The rookie is right.
Why am I letting Nat affect my mood? As a tween, I expended a boatload of energy over a guy who didn’t look twice at me and here I am, over a decade later, doing it again.
My determination renewed, I direct Blade to drop me off at the auto parts shop. Inside, I pay complete attention to my task.The conversation goes so well that I immediately establish a tab with the owner. Now, my mechanics can stop by to pick up the parts they need, and I can pay for it later.
Even better, The Pink Garage referred three more cars in the time I was away. It’s an incredibly busy morning.
At noon, Jimmy, Carlos and Blade head out to find food.
“Lunch is one hour, gentlemen.” I remind them, tapping my watch. “Please be here at one on the dot. Every minute you stay out is a minute I’ll take back this evening at closing.”
Blade rolls his eyes, which is his signature move.
Carlos laughs uneasily.
Jimmy waves. “Got it, boss.”
“I mean it, Jimmy.” I point at him. As great an attitude as Jimmy has, he comes back the latest of the crew.
With the mechanic bay to myself, I retreat to my office to do some paperwork. One thing I didnotexpect about running a shop is how much organization it takes. My background as an airplane maintenance technician is really coming in handy.
I hear a noise at the front of the shop and look up. Footsteps pound in the direction of my office and I wonder if one of the guys forgot something.
But it’s not Jimmy, Carlos or Blade.
“Hey, Riles,” a deep voice says.
My body goes cold.
I lift my eyes to meet a pair of sparkling green orbs. “Nat.”
His smile is devastatingly handsome. “I figured you’d be here. It’s lunch time, shrimp. You can’t fill your stomach on files and documents.”
“I’ll eat later.” I drop my gaze to the desk.
Nat moves into the room. His big presence makes my already small office feel as tiny as a shoe box.
“You’ll probably forget later. Come on. I only have an hour until I have to get back to the stadium. Eat with me.”
The order is accompanied with a teasing lilt so I know he’s only playing around.
But my shoulders stiffen. “I would rather not, Nat.”
Silence follows my firm declaration.
I can imagine the hurt crossing his face and I intentionally keep my attention on the documents, so I don’t lose my conviction.
