Page 19 of And Everything In Between

Giovanni was already out and coming around to her side, opening her door with that same ease he’d shown at the restaurant. Taking care of her would be a reflex, never for show.

The bass hit her as soon as her feet touched gravel. Music was flowing from speakers mounted high on the shop walls. It made her remember who she used to be before responsibility took over her life. Young and free.

Giovanni's hand found hers, warm and secure as they walked toward the main building. Men gave him the nod, women smiled, everyone acknowledged him without him having to announce himself. And they all noticed the woman walking beside him. New faces were rare around Giovanni. But a new face holding his hand was like seeing him with a unicorn.

Paige held her head a little higher. Letting them look and assume.

A tall man with locs pulled back into a thick ponytail approached them, eyes moving between Giovanni and Paige with undisguised curiosity.

“‘Bout time you showed up,” he said to Giovanni before turning his attention to Paige. “And is this my surprise for all my hard work? Gah’damn.”

Paige felt Giovanni’s body tense slightly beside her.

“Watch your fuckin mouth and eyes, Ro,” Giovanni warned, though there was no real heat behind it. “This is Paige. Paige, this fool right here is my boy Rolani. He’s my right hand and runs the paint booth. But the nigga runs his mouth even more.”

“Pleasure,” Ro said, extending a hand. His palm was rough compared to hers, calloused from work. “Any woman who can get this man to abandon his own car show must be special.”

Paige raised an eyebrow, gaze sliding to Giovanni. “Is that what I did?”

Giovanni’s smile deepened.

“Don’t give her ammunition,” Giovanni said, guiding her past Rolani toward the heart of the operation.

Inside, the shop was immaculate, a showcase of Giovanni’s vision. The main garage housed the mechanical work, with lifts and tools organized meticulously. A handful of guys were still working despite the hour, one underneath a lifted Camaro, two more detailing what looked like a vintage Cutlass.

“Vanni, you do all of this?” Her mind was stuck on his craft and attention to detail.

He didn’t say anything right away, the nickname she’d given him was bouncing around his head. Only his family and close friends did that.

“What? Is that nickname, okay?”

His stare down was making her nervous. She didn’t mean to offend him.

“Nothing, yeah, you good my bad. I have help. My team is the truth.”

“I love it. I love it all,” she acknowledged twirling to look around some more.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but a show may be in the works.”

Paige let her fingers trail over the hood of a candy-apple red Impala, her red nails catching the light as he followed behind her. “This car is amazing. You do good work, so I know you got the show in the bag. I’ll be tuned in. Believe that.”

Giovanni led her through the main floor; music switched from trunk-rattling bass to something smoother as they approached the third building.

“I don’t know Paige, it seems like you may be what I’m looking for. Why you playing hard to get? I know it ain’t about that nigga in prison.”

Paige stiffened, her gold teeth flashing in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, so you’ve been in my business.”

“Oh, you thought I was fucking around? I’m just making sure I ain’t gotta shoot it out with a nigga about you.” His eyes held hers, unwavering. “I don’t mind it; I just need to be prepared.”

She studied him for a moment, weighing his words against his actions. He was blowing her mind. Men didn’t usually choose women like her, too busy, too guarded, too tied up by life.

“JT’s out of the picture. No shootouts required.”

Something subtle shifted in Giovanni’s expression, not quite relief, but satisfaction.

“Good,” he said simply. “But on the other hand, he’d better bring the Navy to get his bitch back fucking with me.”

“I know that’s right.” Paige laughed and snapped knowing damn well tomorrow she’d be back to business as usual.

---