“Yeah?” he answers.
Always the charmer, this one.“What are you doing?”
“Picking up fencing supplies. Why?” A truck door shuts on his end of the line.
“Perfect. Swing by the Plot Twist, please. There is a screaming coffee machine that has your name on it.”
“A what? Jessie, no, I—”
“It will only take a few minutes. Pleaseeee . . .” I beg. “Lainey needs this machine operational, and the repair company is giving her the run around.”
There’s a long silence before he grumbles, “Fine,” and hangs up.
I slap the side of the machine. “He’ll be here in a few.”
Ten minutes later, Carson strides into the shop. He’s clearly been working in his dirty Wrangler jeans, straw cowboy hat, and pearl snap shirt.
“Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it,” Lainey greets him.
He gives her a soft smile before glaring at me. “Sure. What machine is it?”
“This one. I have the book here and some tools.” She hands him the instruction manual and explains what she’s already tried. Carson flips through the pages before removing panels and tinkering.
His untamed, long hair falls in his face. Before long, he takes his hat off, pushing it out of his face mindlessly as he works.
“When was the last time you had a haircut? You look like someone they’d find living under a bridge,” I poke at him.
Lainey’s eyes flare, but I chuckle. I love ruffling Carson’s feathers.
He turns his head just enough to shoot me an unimpressed look.
“I’m serious, you need a haircut and a shave. It’s summer, for Pete’s sake! You could do a fade or shag cut. You have the texture for it.”
He stops working and turns to me. “Are you done?”
I smirk. “Yes, I feel better now.”
“Great.”
It’s not long before Carson has the machine purring, happily grinding coffee andnotoverflowing to the floor.
“You are a miracle worker.” Lainey bounces on her toes.
“I wouldn’t go that far. You just needed to—”
Ding!
“Lainey,” a voice barks from across the shop. All heads turn to find her boyfriend standing at the door, arms out in a what-the-fuck gesture.
Lainey sucks in a breath. “Oh my gosh, Chadd. I’m so sorry. I completely lost track of time. I was trying to fix the machine and—”
“We’re late,” he cuts her off. “You aren’t even dressed? And what’s on your face?”
She swipes at the coffee grounds on her cheek. “Sorry, Carson just got the machine fixed. I don’t think I’ll be able to come to dinner.” She walks around the counter toward him.
“I RSVP’d for a plus one. It would be rude to show up alone. This couldn’t have waited?”
No,bro,it couldn’t have.What is this guy’s fucking deal? I’ve only met Lainey’s boyfriend a couple of times, and he never acted like this. I bite my tongue and pretend to be anywhere but here as Carson quietly puts the panels back onto the machine.
