Page 11 of Ajax

Pulling out, I turn toward the carpark exit. I pause when I reach it, and look in my rear-view mirror.

Ivy’s car lights are on, but she’s not moved. She hits the steering wheel before banging her head on it.

Shit.

I slam the car into reverse and back up until I’m beside her.

She looks up at me.

I reach into the glovebox and pull out a torch before getting out and walking to her car, indicating for her to pop the bonnet.

She nods, and when it clicks, I open it up.

Nothing looks out of place.

“It won’t start. It just makes a clicking sound,” she says.

“Maybe the starter motor. Try again?”

She turns the key in the ignition, and the engine doesn’t even try to turn over.

I close the bonnet. “I’ll take you home. There’s nothing I can do tonight.”

There’s silence for a moment, and she nods.

After walking around to my truck, I open the passenger door for her.

She locks her car and then huffs as she takes the step up into the truck.

“You okay? Need a hand?”

“I need to be about a foot taller.”

I laugh—can’t help it, and she turns her worried gaze on me. “Do you think it’s serious? My car, that is. I can’t afford for it to be something big.”

“How about I pick you up in the morning and we get it looked at? Digby could take a look, but he’ll have no parts.”

Even in the dim light of the truck’s internal light, I see her blink back tears.

“I doubt anything can happen until Monday now. Not around here.”

I close her door before rounding the truck and climbing in. “Ivy, you okay?”

“I need that car,” she whispers.

Her hand’s resting on the centre console. I take a deep breath and cover it with mine. She looks up at me with tear-filled eyes.

“Then, let’s get it sorted. I’ll help you, Ivy.”

Her lower lip wobbles. God how I want to kiss her. Instead, I swallow it down and start the truck.

“Thank you,” she says.

“Where do you live?” I can’t do this—have a simple conversation with her. It’s so hard. Stacy’s words play over and over again in my head. She hated the way I looked and wasn’t even prepared to give me a chance.

Ivy’s never said anything. How do I know she doesn’t feel the same way?

She stood up for me, but could she love a man who’s scarred inside and out?

---