Page 19 of If Love Had A Manual

“Started this morning.”

“And you’re here instead of at home hovering over her?”

“I’m here,” I reply flatly.

Kate tilts her head. “Uh-huh. So if I were to tell you that your phone just buzzed, you wouldn’t go running to check it?”

I force myself not to look.

“Relax. If something were wrong, she’d call, not text. Lena seems competent enough.”

“She does,” Ryan agrees. Then, after a beat, “But is she hot, though?”

“For fuck’s sake,” I groan, rubbing a hand down my face.

“Speaking of work.” Kate flips open her clipboard. “I need you to sign off on the parts order before lunchtime.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes. Ryan isn’t allowed to order Friday pizza again. Ever.”

“What the hell did you do, Torres?”

He rolls his eyes like a petulant child. “Just took a little creative liberty with the toppings.”

Connor gags. “He ordered anchovies, pineapple, and—swear to God—mushrooms.”

“It was an artistic choice.”

I close my eyes and pray for patience because this place is going to send me to an early grave. “For the love of God, just stick to normal toppings next time.”

Kate grumbles something under her breath before getting back to business. “Anyway, we’ve got the pickup coming in at noon, and the brakes on the Chevy need replacing before Friday.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Good. And Wes?”

I look up. “Yeah?”

Kate smirks. “Go check your phone before youcombust.”

I glare.

Connor laughs.

Ryan tosses me a greasy rag. “For the sweat, boss. You’re looking a little anxious.”

I grab the rag and throw it back at his face.

Welcome to Turner’s Auto, where the boss has less authority than the crew, the crew has zero filter, and apparently, I can’t hide anything from them. Least of all, how badly I want to keep an eye on Rosie, even from a distance.

She’s my niece, and she’s my whole damn world. They can joke about it all they want. I’m still checking my phone.

And yeah, maybe I’ll try to hold my breath until lunch before I text Lena. Or, you know…ten seconds.

Six

Lena

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