Page 20 of Suits and Spark Plugs

She chuckled. “Seriously, Connor is just a normal guy. Be you. That will be enough to keep him away.”

This time it was my turn to throw silverware at her. “You’re probably the worst person I could have chosen as a best friend.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Stop yapping and get to work,” Jake yelled from over the countertop as a last-minute customer came in.

“Aye-aye, Captain.” Kelly saluted him and stood to go help the man waiting at the hostess stand. Before she walked away she turned to me and said, “You’ll be fine. Everything really will be fine. Just breathe.”

I nodded and gave her a small smile as I watched her flame-like hair bouncing back and forth while she sauntered up to the counter.

At exactly 9:07 I arrived at the mechanic shop and pulled warily into the dark parking lot. A single light was burning from the office behind the lobby, and Connor’s truck was parked out front. The doors were locked, so I knocked softly. Connor appeared, out of his jumpsuit and back in his regular jeans and T-shirt look that I usually saw him in around town.

His hair was a bit disheveled, like he’d been running his fingers through it, and the office light caught it from behind, weaving bright highlights into it. It was a color I’d have to remember when painting something with fire.

“Hey, Liv,” he greeted as he held the door for me.

I did my best to squeeze by him without making contact, but my hip brushed against him, causing a strange tingle in my fingertips. I balled them into fists, willing the feeling to go away. Why hadn’t he moved and let me hold the door for myself?

“Come on through here and I’ll show you where everything is,” he said.

His voice was low and raspy, and he sounded tired. He’d probably been at work since early that morning. Having to come back had added time to his day. I hoped that meant he’d be quick in showing me what I needed and then taking himself out.

I followed him into the office, where he stopped next to a desk that took up the majority of the small space. “Here’s your key.” He handed me a key that was still warm from his hand. “Shop closes at 7:00pmon weekdays and noon on Saturdays. We aren’t open on Sundays. You’re welcome to come anytime after business hours. Any questions?”

“Nope. I got it.”

He turned and led me through a small door that opened up into a storage closet big enough to walk around in. It was cluttered with file boxes, random automotive parts and tools, and a shelf full of cleaning supplies

“How’s your car running?” he asked over his shoulder.

I frowned, surprised by the sudden turn. “Better, thanks.”

“I’m especially proud of freeing that kidnapped man from your trunk. I’m hoping for some kind of certificate of model citizenship or something.”

My lips tugged in amusement. “I’m not going to ask what that knock was, or what you had to do to get rid of it. I’m just going to scrub toilets until the debt is paid.”

“Well, I couldn’t have made anything worse.” He picked an empty bucket off the ground and started filling it with clean rags and some rubber gloves. “How’s school going?”

“School?” Why was he asking me about my life? We’d lived in this same town for, well, forever, and he’d never once tried to talk to me. I liked it that way.

“Yeah, school.”

“It’s fine.”

“You getting your studying done?”

Again, a strange question from someone I’d never spoken to until last week. I knew my expression oozed cynicism. “No offense, but what do you care?”

“I care about my community members,” he replied.

I played a hunch. “Is this because you and my best friend have decided to be pals?” He stood up straight and raised his eyebrows but said nothing. I sighed. “If I tell you, will you let me start cleaning?” I asked. He nodded. “It’s fine. I’m studying as much as I can.”

“Great.” He pushed off the shelves and gestured behind him. “Here are the supplies.” Then he handed me the bucket and disappeared rather abruptly.

I turned to gather bathroom cleaners and went back through the office into the lobby. Connor was looking out the front window and making no move to leave.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

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