Page 10 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“Blaine called and told me my car is a pile of junk and I should have it fixed.”

She walked over to the sink area and used the mirror to start French braiding her hair. “I can’t believe he’s not a fan of Old Reliable.”

“That car is going to run forever.”

“I assume you told Blaine your theory about the immortality of your metal heap?”

“Not exactly.”

“Oh, so you went with the ‘we haven’t known each other long enough for me to let you in on my business’ option.”

“Sometimes it stinks having a best friend,” I mumbled as I hung my coat on a hook.

She laughed. “He’s not wrong about your car, even though you want him to stay out of your business.”

“Can you blame me?”

“For driving a beater, or for wanting him to butt out?” She met my eyes in the mirror and raised a brow. My look was answer enough. “I shouldn’t have to be the one to tell you this, but boyfriends are not good at staying out of your business.”

I pursed my lips and gave her a look of my own as I tied on my apron. “He isn’t my boyfriend. He’s a guy I’ve gone out with a couple of times.”

Her shoulders lifted carelessly. “You hate being told the hard truth, and you always have. Your car is on its last legs. You really should take it to Mainstreet Mechanic and have Connor give it a once over.”

“Pass.” I moved to stand next to her at the sink and pulled some bobby pins out of my pocket.

She finished her braid and used a rubber band to tie it off. “I know you don’t like his reputation, but he knows what he’s doing with cars.”

“That’s probably a good thing for the guy who owns the only auto shop in town.” I pinned curls this way and that, attempting to meet health code standards by having my hair pulled back. “How did lunch with him go the other day?”

“Really good. He’s...” She let the sentence hang.

At her unusual hesitation I turned to face her directly. “He’s what?” Her cheeks pinked up and I took a step back, my mouth dropping open. “What happened?”

“I want to tell you something, but I know you’re not going to believe me.”

“Oh my gosh, Kelly, you genuinely like him.” My heart sank as her face confirmed the truth. “How did this happen? We’ve always watched him saunter around town like a conceited Casanova and been appalled.”

Her nose wrinkled. “And a little intrigued too, if we’re being honest.”

I ignored that, even if it was the tiniest bit true. We had giggled a whole lot over the years when talking about him. “Did he slip something into your Coke at lunch? Did you hallucinate?”

Apparently she realized I wasn’t going to murder her, so she relaxed and gave me a big smile. “You’re being a dork. I haven’t hallucinated since you gave me a ride home and the exhaust fumes made me see ponies prancing on the dash board.”

I rolled my eyes. “Be serious, Kell. What’s up?”

“Lunch was great. Did you know he went to school and has a business degree? The shop is doing good. Talking to him was really comfortable and nice. He actually got all my jokes and kept up with me, even though you and I always thought we were the only two in town who can understand each other. He’s not at all what we thought he was. So yes, I do like him.”

I hadn’t known those things about him, but they certainly weren’t going to sway what I knew to be true. “So he can talk fast and he looks good on paper, but still, he’s Connor Hunt. How can you be falling under his spell? You do not want your name added to his list of conquests.”

“Conquests?” Kelly laughed and turned to scrub her hands before heading out to the dining room. “I’m talking about friendship, not going to see him in the medieval jousting tournament this weekend.”

I turned back to the mirror and finished pressing in the last of the pins to secure my hair. In my frustration I wasn’t gentle, and I winced a few times. “Okay, let’s say for one minute that I believed you. What’s the point of being his friend? I thought you were looking for the next Mr. Right.”

“I am.” Kelly stepped aside for me as I washed my hands too. “But until he comes along, there’s nothing wrong with spending a little time with Mr. Delicious.”

I couldn’t stop the immediate amusement that pushed up, making me shake my head and grin. “Your plan is to spend time chumming around with him, using him as eye candy until you find love?”

She laughed. “You make me sound terrible. Honestly, Liv, I like him a lot. I even went by the shop again and visited with him for a bit, and it was good. It wasn’t just a fluke at lunch. He’s really clever and funny. The way I see it, I’m done judging him by who we thought he was.”

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