Page 14 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“You have?” Blaine frowned. I shrugged.

“When is the last time you had to have someone jump start you?” Connor asked.

“A couple of days ago.”

“Oh, Olivia.” Blaine said my name in a very disappointed tone, which I chose to ignore.

“It looks like your alternator is dying,” Connor said. “Your brakes are junk too. You haven’t noticed that constant grinding noise while you drive?”

“I was hoping I’d picked up a rock or something.” I smiled innocently.

“What about that knocking noise?” Blaine asked.

“I didn’t notice anything. I’d need to actually drive it around the block. Where’s it coming from?”

“The trunk,” Blaine replied.

“The trunk?” Connor’s brows dropped.

I pasted on a sardonic grin. “I keep a guy I kidnapped in there. He pumps my gas and gives me piggy back rides when the snow is too deep.” Connor raised his eyebrows, and Blaine blinked a few times. It was oddly satisfying. In the silence, I stood. “Okay, well the diagnosis was free, right?” I asked.

“Yes,” Connor replied.

I walked to where Connor was standing and held out my hand. “Great. So I’ll just need my keys back so I can head home.”

“You can’t be serious.” Blaine turned to me. “You just heard what he said. You’re lucky your car started today. Tomorrow it might not. You’re lucky your brakes didn’t fail on the way back here from the city after our date.”

“Yes. I am lucky. The universe loves me.” I dimpled at Blaine and wiggled my fingers at Connor. “Keys, please.”

Connor shook his head. “You can’t keep driving it like that.”

“I’m not planning to. I’ll take it home, park it, and walk. I have two perfectly capable legs and no money. Problem solved.”

“Plus the guy giving you piggy back rides,” Connor added deadpan.

Blaine looked to Connor, who shrugged while I tamped down on an unexpected grin. Kelly had said he was quick.

Blaine cleared his throat. “I can cover the repairs, and Olivia can pay me back. A little at a time is fine with me.”

“Nope.” I stood my ground.

“Babe, I can’t let you walk around in the winter like this. Not when I can help you. Really, I don’t mind.”

Sigh. He was being hard-headed, which meant my subtle clues weren’t working. It was unfortunately time to use a bigger weapon. “What if we break up before I can pay you back?” I cocked my head to the side and looked at him.

His mouth opened a moment before words actually came out. I understood, the big weapons could be jarring. “You don’t think we’ll last?”

“I don’t know. We’re still pretty new. I’d hate to owe you money and then break your heart on top of that,” I replied.

Connor made an unidentifiable noise, looking away and clearing his throat when we both glanced at him.

Blaine sighed and removed his glasses, rubbing a hand over his closed eyes while he thought. After a few seconds he replaced his glasses and smiled at me. “I don’t think I understood until now how independent you are. It’s a good quality, but I just want you to be safe.”

He reached out and gathered me into a hug. I relaxed against him, enjoying his expensive cologne and the feel of my cheek against his soft suit coat. He really was such a nice guy. I needed to relax. I holstered my weapon of harsh truth and snuggled closer.

“I’m not comfortable borrowing money from you,” I whispered.

“How much would those repairs cost?” Blaine asked Connor.

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