Page 7 of Ordinary Secrets

After the new tire is on, I lower Arella’s car to the ground, then slide the jack out. With a grunt, I push myself up and slap my dirty palms on my thighs. “You’re all good now.”

“Thank you. Here, let me pay you.” She digs out her wallet from the purse hanging by a strap across her body.

I slash a hand through the air. “Don’t worry ’bout it.”

Not listening, she holds out three twenties. “Seriously, take it. Calling a professional would have easily been four times this.”

“It’s okay, really.” I push her cash away, then give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m just happy to help.”

She flinches, and the color washes from her face. A woman has never reacted to my touch that way before. Instantly, I let her go and step back. Within seconds, the tension in her shoulders releases and she lets out a breath.

Glancing up at me with those big brown eyes, she forces a tiny smile. I know that smile. It’s the same one I use whenever I’m trying to hide my pain.What pain is she trying to hide? And does it have anything to do with her immunity?

Arella stuffs her cash back into her purse, then hugs herself, looking anywhere but at me. “Thanks again.”

Perking up, I pretend that my next idea is a spur-of-the-moment one. “Hey, so, my band is performing a show tomorrow. Would you wanna come out to support us?”

“I can’t,” she says way too quickly. “I work tomorrow.”

“Our set starts at eight. You work that late?” If she says yes, she’s lying.

“I don’t. Where is it?”

“It’s a cool music bar downtown called the Soul House. Great food, great service, and I hear the entertainment’s not too bad either.” I wink and immediately regret it.Why did I do that? I’m so lame.

“Um...” she says, biting her lip. Not the reaction I expected. “How much are tickets?”

“For you? Nothin’. I’ll put your name on a special VIP list so you can walk right in. It’s last minute, so you’d probably have to sit at the bar, but it’s still a good spot.”

“Oh. Um . . .”

Javina materializes at Arella’s side, gripping her arm. “Ari, this kind man just helped us out, then offered to put you on a VIP list to see his show tomorrow. Do you understand that their tickets are hard to get last minute? They’re usually sold out for weeks in advance.Weeks, Ari. Weeks. If you don’t go, I will.”

And that’s the reaction I was hoping for.

Arella straightens her back. “I’ll come if Javina can come too.”

If that’s what it would take to get this woman back into my space, done. “Great. I’ll put you both on the list for tomorrow. Javina Abrams and Arella... Sorry, I never got your last name.” I already know it, but it’s important to hear it from her.

“Rance.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

While this didn’t go exactly the way I had imagined it, I still accomplished what I needed to, and that’s what matters.

Phase one—complete.

Now on to phase two.

2

ARELLA

The gratitudeI have for Javina will never end.

Tonight is our monthly movie night. Since we also happened to be scheduled for the same shift, we carpooled, and I’m glad for it. If it wasn’t for her recognizing those people, I wouldn’t have accepted their help. I know better than to get into a car with three strangers. What if they were serial killers? Since we’re still alive, I’m going to assume they aren’t.

I can’t believe I agreed to go to their band’s show tomorrow. Bars aren’t my thing, but it’s Javina’s thing, especially the music ones. So I’m happy to go if it’ll make Javina happy.

---