“I did. When I saw the condition the car was in, I knew you’d have your work cut out for you,” Justin countered as he took a seat on the crate.

“I’m just glad I’m done. I have another part to pick up on Monday before I start the next project.”

“That’s what’s up. Are you making your way back home anytime soon?”

“Nah, not right now. I’ll have my people come out here to visit me soon. Gwendal is the last place I wanna be right now,” I admitted.

“I feel you. I’ll miss it, but it was time for a fresh start. Does Saturn talk to you about Sapphire?”

Turning the engine off, I pulled the key out and stuffed it in the pocket of my jumpsuit before acknowledging Justin’s question.

“Sapphire?”

“Yeah, ol’ girl from the flower shop.”

“Oh, I’ve only met her once. The same day you met her was my first time meeting her. Saturn hasn’t told me much though. All I know is she just started working there and Saturn did mention she makes candles. That’s all though.” I shrugged. “Why you askin’ about her?”

“Shit, she’s beautiful as hell. I talked to her briefly when I was waiting for you to get Sparky, but that’s all. I think she’s going to be a tough one to get through to.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She gave me the vibe that she was really reserved. Like, I’m gon’ have to come correct if I really wanna get to know her.”

“That’s normal, bruh. I think your ass is just used to women moving just as fast as you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked jokingly.

“It means either you gotta approach her differently or maybe she didn’t like you.”

“You always got some negative shit to say.”

“How is that being negative? I’m only telling you the truth. Hell, have you taken into consideration that she might have a man?”

“I have. Ain’t no ring on her finger though, so she’s not married.”

“I would ask her first. Don’t assume shit. Not asking the right questions will have you in situations you didn’t ask to be in.”

“That’s real shit. How are things going with you and Saturn anyway? She seems cool.”

“She is. I feel like we’re moving at a decent pace. She hasn’t been in a relationship in a few years and you know what I dealt with when I was with Carmen. We’ve been on a few dates and been spending time, but that’s about it so far.”

As I cleaned and straightened up the garage, Justin and I shifted the conversation. He caught me up on how things were going in the real estate industry. Since he’d gotten into the field, Justin had been on me about purchasing property. Even if it was an empty field, he said I needed to have land in my name. Now that I was settled in Pleasant Springs, I informed him that I’d be intentional about investing. Right before I locked up, Justin headed out, after convincing me to meet him at the gym tomorrow afternoon. When I finally settled into my truck, it hit me that I was tired as hell.

With the evening traffic at its peak, it took me a little longer to get home. Seeing Saturn’s car parked in my driveway when I pulled up gave me a small burst of energy.

“Hey, beautiful,” I greeted as I helped her from the car.

“Hey, handsome. How was work?”

“It was good. I finally got the car to work. The one I was telling you about on the phone the other day.”

“I remember. That’s the one you said Mayor Brooks is buying from you,” she recalled.

It came as no surprise to me that Saturn knew the former mayor. Hell, the town was so small I wouldn’t have batted an eye if he turned out to be her uncle.

“Yep. He said he’ll be by there to pick it up tomorrow evening, so I need to be back at the garage by four,” I shared.

Once Sparky was let out the back seat, we walked inside and Saturn went straight for the kitchen. When she came over for the first time last week, I had to damn near force her to make herself comfortable. I understood she didn’t want to overstep any boundaries, but I wanted her to know I had none when it came to her. Leaving my jumpsuit and boots at the front door, I headed for my room to the shower. Exhaustion came to the forefront once the hot water hit my body from every angle. Right now, all I wanted to do was carry my ass to bed, but I didn’t want Saturn out of my sight.