Page 50 of The Relationship Mechanic

Vini. I’m sorry. I was so busy trying to keep my heart from being hurt that I didn’t realize I had already given it to you. I hope one day you can forgive me for being afraid and running away. You are everything. —Jessica

Vini wasn’t sure how she had made it out of the house and into the shop before collapsing, but she did. Even now, those words were burned onto the back of her eyelids, and she saw them every time she blinked.

“If only I hadn’t given her that stupid ultimatum,” she hissed to herself. She felt the burn of tears and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes until spots burst out. She wanted to go home and curl under the sheets until she felt ready to face the world, but she knew that wasn’t an option. If she did that, she would never come out again. She didn’t want her sisters to worry either. Knowing Ava, she would probably try to hunt Jessica down and then they would be right back at square one. No, there was nothing she could do but push forward.

A soft knock made her sit up. Aiden was at the doorway. He had been a rock for her this morning, taking charge and setting things up. She owed him a great deal more than just gratitude and planned to make it up to him.

“Hey, boss lady. You got a pick up out on Seventy-five South. Sheriff said it’s a couple flats and maybe some underbelly damage.”

Vini raised an eyebrow. “Underbelly damage? Did some fool try to U-turn on the median again?”

Aiden chuckled. “Probably. You know how those tourists can be. Want me to handle it or...”

She smiled in thanks. Getting out of the shop would probably do her a world of good right now. “Nah, I’ve got it. Thanks, Aiden.”

“Of course,” he replied before pushing off the doorway. “You know, I think it’s going to be okay.”

Vini tilted her head at his cryptic words but didn’t have a chance to respond before he walked away. She glanced down at the letter on her desk before folding it and putting it in her pocket. She didn’t yet know what she was going to do about Jessica, but she knew sitting around wasn’t going to do her any good. She tugged on her boots and grabbed her tow truck keys before making her way to the back lot. By the time she was on her way down the highway, she was almost feeling good about things. Okay, that was a lie, but at least she wasn’t crying.

She made her way up Seventy-five, slowing when she caught sight of the sheriff’s car as well as the car with two very flat tires and grass tangled up in its front bumper. Her heartbeat jumped when she realized she knew that car. She had spent hours working on it weeks ago after towing it from this same highway.

Vini’s hands shook as she eased her way around the emergency-vehicle shortcut and came down the other side. She slowed, moving her tow in front of the car before backing it up. She turned off the truck and took a moment to calm herself before she jumped to conclusions. When she thought she could get out without her legs crumpling beneath her, she opened her door. Immediately, that voice reached out to her.

“... Didn’t mean to cut across. I don’t know where my head was at, but I wasn’t sure when I would be able to turn off and get back on.”

Vini swallowed hard, the sheriff’s response fading into the background as she closed her door and turned around. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as she stood there. Jessica was still looking at the sheriff and apparently pleading her case for cutting across the grass, but when her gaze finally landed on Vini, she stopped midsentence. Sheriff Patrick turned to look behind him and smiled when he saw it was Vini.

“Got a funny one for you, Lavenia. Seems she decided to blaze her own trail to turn around.”

Vini nodded slowly, not looking away from Jessica. “It’s fine. I got her, Sheriff.”

He squinted for a moment before looking back and forth between Vini and Jessica. A sly smile split his face as he tipped his hat to them. “I’m sure you do, Vini. Enjoy yourselves, and please get home before engaging in any funny business.”

Vin snorted but still didn’t avert her gaze. “No promises, Sheriff, but I’ll do my best.” She didn’t say anything else until he was in his car headed back down the highway. “I thought you were headed to the airport.”

Jessica’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, and Vini couldn’t stop herself from moving closer. “I was, but then...”

“But then,” Vini prompted as she stopped a few feet away.

“I realized I couldn’t leave.”

“Why?” Vini almost hated to ask, but she had to know. Writing it on a piece of paper was easy, but now they were face-to-face. If Jessica couldn’t tell her now, Vini wasn’t sure what she would do. She wanted this with a strength that was surprising, but she wasn’t about to deny herself the possibility of finding someone she could see a future with. Still, she couldn’t make this work on her own. Jessica had to meet her halfway.

Jessica bit her lip, and Vini’s heart almost dropped before she looked back at Vini with a determined expression. “Because I like you. I like you more than I’ve ever liked anyone, and I can’t leave without knowing if this thing between us is real.”

Vini wanted to screamyes, but she knew she had to make herself clear this time. “I like you too, Jessica, but I can’t be casual about this.” Once the admission was out, it was easy to keep going. “I don’t want to just be your friend or your benefit. I want to be your girlfriend. Your partner.”

“You already were,” Jessica insisted, closing the distance between them. She stopped at the last moment when there was only a few inches between them. “You were the partner I didn’t think I deserved, but I can’t help but be selfish about you.”

“What about Italy?” Vini asked.

Jessica smiled. “Italy will always be there. Maybe next time I can bring you with me. My parents apparently thought I was bringing you in the first place. They were disappointed when I said I wasn’t.”

It was Vini’s turn to swallow hard. “You told your parents about me?”

“All the time. You were what I talked about most. Nothing I feel about you is casual, Vini.”

“But won’t you regret not going?” Vini had to lay it all out there. She didn’t think she could handle if they tried again, and the same issues made an appearance. “I know Peach Blossom is boring compared to Italy, and I’m probably not as exciting as—”

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