Page 5 of Ordinary Secrets

Besides a gray-haired man reading a magazine in the waiting room, the lobby is empty. The scent of fresh rubber fills the air. At the same time a burst of joy rushes through my head, a round of laughter comes from the other side of the glass wall wherethree cars are raised on lifts. A group of eight-ish people in red polo shirts surround the vehicles with various power tools.

From behind me, something vibrates. Javina digs through her purse before pulling a phone out.

“Ooh! I gotta take this!” She rushes back outside with her phone pressed to an ear as her excitement spikes again. I’m getting the impression that she’s easily excitable.

For the first time ever, I have Arella to myself. This is my chance to say something—to find out something valuable about her. Sooo, what do I say, and how do I say it? It figures that it’d benowwhen my brain decides to shut down. No words—at least none that form intelligent sentences—come to mind.

Like a sheltered teenage boy in the presence of an attractive female, I fidget with the zipper of my black leather jacket. I pull it halfway up my chest.

Then down.

Up again.

Stop it!

I shove my hands into my jeans pockets.

Then I take them out.

In once more.

What should I say?

Hey, Arella, you come here often?Dumb question. She’s only here because of me.

Sooo, you work at a daycare. You like kids?Another stupid question. Why would she work at a daycare if she despised children?

How ’bout that heat, huh?

A glass door slides open, releasing me from my inner torture.

“Hi there!” says the cute blonde woman with a black smear of oil running down the front of her polo. “How can I help?”

Arella steps up to the counter while I stand off to the side, pretending to be interested in a chart on the wall that asks, “When do you need new tires?”

It’s strange. Even without Arella’s emotions hovering in my head, I still feel extremely aware of her presence, her every move. Usually, I know exactly how far someone is from me by how strong their emotions come through my head. With Arella, I sense nothing, yet there she is, existing merely ten steps over.

As discreetly as possible, I lock my gaze onto her back and focus my gift on her. The only thing that comes is the emotions of the blonde behind the counter. It’s as if Arella isn’t there at all.

For the last month, I’ve kept my distance. Now that I’m here, I don’t know what to do with myself. I need to touch her again. The brush of our arms and our little handshake isn’t enough to confirm if physical contact can or can’t break down her immunity walls. I was told that if I can find a way to break through her invisible shield, it might help us figure out how she’s immune. Do I have the first clue how to do that? Nope. Not one bit.

As Arella finalizes the payment, I make a mental note to pay her back for this. There’s no reason she has to spend her hard-earned money on something I caused. I’ll be sure to get her something she needs but can’t afford for herself. Something at least triple the price. It’s the least I can do.

Within no time, we’ve got a new tire in my trunk and our seat belts secured again. Liz and Javina dominate most of the conversation on our way back. They talk like they’re old friends who haven’t seen each other in months. I don’t mind. It gives me a chance to regain myself. I don’t normally get nervous around women. Apparently when it matters, I lose all sense of control.

Back at Arella’s car, I grab some tools and get straight to work. Before today, I have changed a tire all of two times, withthe sole purpose of practicing for this moment. I didn’t wanna look stupid.

“Can I help?” Arella drops to her knees at my side.

I startle, falling backward onto my tailbone. My ass lands on the jack. A few curse words—all beginning withF—fly through my head. I’m not used to people sneaking up on me without me sensing them first.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She lets out an adorable laugh, making goose bumps run up the back of my neck.

“It’s all right.” I chuckle lightly as I pull the jack out from under me and hand it to her. “Could you turn this little knob to lower it enough so we can fit it under your car?”

“Sure.” Arella sets the jack down, then gathers all her hair toward the top of her head. I’m mesmerized by the way she swiftly ties it up within seconds. Once she’s done, her eyes meet mine and she flashes me a tender smile.

Shit.I’ve been gaping at her with my mouth slightly open.Way to play it cool.Tearing my attention off her, I go back to loosening the lug nuts.

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