Amber snagged my arm. “You’re a good big brother.”
“Well, I don’t know about that.” My plan to bail at the first sight of strippers had me pausing. Had I really agreed to duck out with Cooper?
Taryn snagged Maddie and gave her a massive hug.
An SUV pulled up, and Cooper, Stephanie, and two men piled out. The tallest of all, a man with short midnight-black hair, removed his sunglasses. Even from this distance, his crystal-blue eyes were clear.
A blond man, slightly shorter with blond hair, curled into his side. His blue eyes, hair color, and height all matched Cooper’s.
And yet I felt little attraction to either man—and not just because I never poached on someone else’s property. No, Iwasn’t attracted because my entire being was aware of Cooper. My cock even twitched at the thought of him touching me. Of us doing fun—and very naughty—things together.
Amber tugged my arm. “Have you met Dickens and Spike?”
“Spike who is your competition?”
My companion laughed. “Sure, we both operate auto-repair shops. Plus, Spike has his bike-repair shop. I’ll be honest with you, Lachlan—just in case Taryn hasn’t been blunt. There is a certain segment of the population who will never accept a woman mechanic. Will never respect a female estimator, or that someone with tits can be a tow truck driver.” She scrunched her nose. “Some of those people—”
“—assholes—”
“—well, yeah. Some of those people might accept a woman as an accountant, but I’m very much behind the scenes. Maddie, Taryn, and Holly put themselves out there. If Spike is too busy, he might direct someone our way. If we’re swamped, we can offer a solid referral to Spike knowing whomever we send will be taken care of. Mission City is enough for two auto-repair shops. Especially because we draw clients from as far as Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, and Langley.”
“Women trusting women.”
“Ten years in business without a single complaint to the BBB. We’re obviously doing something right.”
The two men approached, with Dickens extending his hand. “So, you’re the big brother we hear so much about but have never met.”
Dickens was younger than both Taryn and me, so we hadn’t been to school together. And, truthfully, I hadn’t spent much time in the bookshop he’d inherited from his parents.
Spike was about my age, but he’d come from the north coast. I couldn’t remember where. He was new to Mission City.
I shook first Dickens’s and then Spike’s hand. “That’s me. But here to support.” I glanced at Amber before gazing over at the men. “You do know what you’re getting into.”
Dickens threw his arm around his husband’s shoulders. “We’re big on new experiences. Stephanie’s a good friend, and she invited us. Taryn called to warn us that things would get…spicy.”
We laughed.
“And we figure we can always meander over to the bar.” Spike offered me a smile I couldn’t quite interpret. “We’re all good.”
Amber bumped my arm. “And we are as well. A little spice never hurt anyone. Next time, though, we’re going to a male strip club.”
Dickens vibrated with excitement. “Oh, now I have to say that sounds like fun.”
Spike rubbed his neck as his cheeks reddened a bit. “Uh…yeah…”
“All in fun.” Amber sidled up to him. “Now, I hear we’re going to be competing for the same apprentice.”
A glint appeared in his eyes. “Karine is a damn good student. She’s going to make an amazing mechanic.”
Amber grinned. “I agree. May the best shop win.”
They headed back toward Steph and Taryn and the rest of the MATH crew. Which stood for Maddie, Amber, Taryn, and Holly. All four women had excelled in mathematics and sciences and had happily created the name for their company.
Dickens offered a wry smile. “Watch out for Amber.”
“I’d think you’d be warning me about Spike.”
“Uh, no. My husband’s a pussycat. He just doesn’t let many people see that side.”
