Page 32 of The Right Woman

Shanna is in full holiday spirits, humming her Christmas songs and wearing a puffy snowman sweater. Glancing at her bopping around the aisle makes my stomach twist with anxiety. I don’t know how I can stand being here for another hour, waiting to know what Tate wants to tell me about my car.

She startles when I gingerly step close to her and whisper her name. “Sorry. Um, I’m not feeling great. I was wondering if I can leave an hour early.”

Her jaw drops as sudden as her jovial outlook. “Only if you make up for it next week.”

Stilling my need to snap back at her, I smile. “Of course. I’ll stay an hour later next week. Thanks so much, Shanna.”

I grumble all the way to my locker, grab my things, then book a rideshare. Within twenty minutes, I’m standing in front of Griffin Motors’ big sign. Shoving my hands into my puffy coat, I stroll up to the open bay. Tate’s red hair waves in the winter breeze as I approach.

“Hey, Piper. Um… Why don’t you come with me to the back?”

My clunker is high up in the air on hydraulic lifts with a bunch of hoses hanging loose from underneath. It looks complicated. And expensive.

“Sure, okay.”

Maybe sleeping with Adon again will get me free car repairs.

When we enter the office, Adon is discussing something on the computer screen with Eli. My best friend’s boyfriend glances at me, then stands abruptly. “I’m going to lunch. Hi, Piper. Bye, Piper.”

He quickly snags his coat and heads out the door before Tate shuts it behind him.

Adon lounges in the desk chair and points to the one across from him. “Have a seat.”

Tate leans against the far table with his arms crossed and I shrug, then sit on the edge, waiting for them to tell me my car has cancer or something.

“So, Tate and I took a look at your brakes and, uh…I think someone tampered with your car. There were several sharp cuts in the brake lines, like someone wanted this to happen over time. Make it look like an accident.” Adon’s dark brown eyes cast over to his friend. “However, it’s anything but natural looking.”

I’m stiff. I only have one enemy. Well, other than my own mother and sister. Reeling from the news, I try to piece together who would have done it.

“Don’t worry. I can fix the car,” Tate says behind me, like that’s what I’m worried about most.

Adon waves him off with his hand. “Go get started.” My mouth opens to protest, not knowing how much it will be, but Adon interrupts, “Free of charge.”

I guess my pussy is just that good. Should I aim for a new apartment?

Once we’re alone, Adon raises his eyebrows. “Any idea who could have done this?”

My body vibrates with anxiety as I lick my bottom lip, wondering if I should tell him. “I don’t think so. I mean, there was a guy back in the day, but he’s been gone a long time.”

Adon stands and comes around the desk, then rests his ass against the edge. His big palm lifts my chin up so I face him. A warm, tender expression on his face makes me want to cry. “Who?”

With a shake of my head, I slide back in the chair. “His name was Noah. But he wouldn’t come back. Not here.”

His broad shoulders tense as he stares at the ceiling. “Okay, Noah. But do you think he’d have anything to do with your purse getting snatched?”

Tilting my head, I ponder what he’s asking. “You mean…”

“After the coffee shop incident. Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

“You think they’re connected.”

Rubbing at his beard slowly, he tugs on the ends. “Maybe. Your family was sitting with the woman who died, right? How did you know her?”

“I didn’t at all. She was my sister’s boyfriend’s stepmother. And her husband is my sister’s professor.” Trying to scramble how all of my family is somehow intertwined with the dead woman, I pause, staring at the faux wood grain on the laminate desk top. “She was my father’s employee, too. Maybe more than that, knowing him.”

Adon’s big body seems even more formidable in his silence. And the longer he’s quiet, the more uncomfortable I get. His molten lava eyes light me up, even when I’m not looking at him.

“What happened to you, and how can I fix it?”

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