Page 28 of Mechanic

Stepping into The Whiskey Genie, I do my best to hide my surprise. Unsure what to expect, the rustic, well-kept establishment is not it.

As my eyes roam the room, they meet the cold stare of the woman behind the bar. Her guarded expression is understandable. Masking my features so as not to appear placating, I slowly approach her.

“Hi, nice place. It has a warm and welcoming feel to it. It’s not something I’m used to,” I pause a moment so the words don’t come across as forced and fake.

“Are you Gypsy?” I ask when she gives no response after my compliment. “Rhodee said that you have an apartment and sent me here.” I hold my hand out to shake. She glances at it likeshe might get cooties before slowly reaching out her own hand, grasping mine.

“I’m Antonia,” I say and then cringe. “Sorry, you probably already know that from speaking with Rhodee.” My self-degrading statement earns the first genuine smile from Gypsy.

“What’s your poison?”

“Oh, ah, how about a Grey Goose and whatever lemon-lime soda you have. Diet, if possible, please.”

Gypsy moves about making my drink, and after setting it down in front of me, she surprises me.

“Welcome to Padston. That one’s on me,” she says with a brief nod to my drink.

“Oh, thank you.” My voice is full of surprise, and after taking a large gulp of my drink I immediately start coughing. It’s as if the glass is straight vodka.

“You won’t get a weak drink here,” she says in response to my wheezing.

“Good to know,” I croak out. “C-can I g-get a burger? Rhodee says they are swoon-worthy. Also, maybe a little more soda?” I add on, pointing to the glass in front of me.

Gypsy grabs an order pad as she chuckles at me, ignoring my request for the soda.

She steps away to put my order in and I spin around, putting my back to the bar. A few people linger at a couple of tables scattered around the room. Two guys are in the corner playing a game of pool.

“You missed the lunch rush,” Gypsy’s voice comes from behind me, startling me, as I spin around to face her. “It won’t get busy again until later.” Whatever else she was going to say gets cut off as a gorgeous man steps up to the end of the bar, setting two empty glasses on the bar top.

Gypsy steps away from me and starts refilling his glasses. He takes the spare moment to step closer to me.

“Hey, pretty lady. Are you new in town?” His flirtatious tone has my cheeks heating.

While his words should put me on alert, they don’t, which surprises me.

“Madox, you leave the poor girl alone. She’s been in town for like a minute and doesn’t need you sniffing around,” Gypsy’s sharp tone in my defense catches me off guard.

Unbidden, tears escape down my cheeks before I can reign them in. Shawna is the only one who has ever defended me before, other than Grams of course. Having this woman, who I just met, do it is a surprise.

The man before me, Madox, glances at Gypsy quickly, his tone one of panic.

“Fuck, Gyps. I didn’t mean to break her,” he states, not sure what to do.

Another man steps up, clasping a meaty hand on Madox’s shoulder.

“What is taking so long…” his words trail off at the scene he walked upon.

Pulling the cocktail napkin from under my glass, I use it to dry my cheeks.

“It’s fine,” I say weakly, waving off the concerned looks all three are giving me. “I have been having a rough couple of months. Please ignore my emotional outburst.”

None of them look convinced.

Gypsy snaps into action first, moving away from the men toward me.

“Can you give me your car keys?” Gypsy asks, holding her hand out.

“Uhm, why?” I ask warily.

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