Page 19 of Lady Luck's Kiss
“I look absolutely wretched.”
“You look like you’ve worked hard on it and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”
“Annnnnnd you’re officially crazy,” she teased with a light grin. “See that spot? That’s silicone sealant. And that charming smell? Brake cleaner from where I cleaned up all your coolant and my mess repairing it.”
“Enchanting, I swear. I love the smell of brake cleaner in the morning,” he said, leaning over the counter. His face was alight with a wide grin and he kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Do you have to work late or have any clients coming in soon?”
“Nope, all yours. Unless a customer drives up unexpectedly.”
“Well, I brought us a little something for dinner and thought maybe we could spend a little more time together. You didn’t seem to mind my singing during the movie, so how could I want to be anywhere else?”
“You know, I understand the feeling and the singing. Have you ever seenMannequin? There is some shameless singing that comes from me when that movie is on.”
“Ahhhh,” he said laying a hand over his heart. “I knew you were perfect for me!”
“Maybe I should let you smell axle grease up close? If you like that, then I will know it’s true lo-…” Charlie stopped midsentence and looked away quickly. “If you don’t mind, I think I will run upstairs and clean up a bit. Do you mind?”
“Would you feel better?”
“Much,” she said quickly, wanting to get away from the moment. At his nod, she darted up the stairs and locked the door behind her.Stupid, stupid idiot!she thought, shutting her eyes as she stood against the door.“You don’t bring up the ‘L’ word so fast, or you run them off.” Beth had always told her this and did she listen over the years?
Not one bit.
Thinking about it, she realized that if she had been out with a guy once or twice and he mentioned love, she’d flake on him instantly. It just doesn’t happen. And if it happens to be that way for her, who said it was that way for him, too?
She wasinfatuatedand that’s all it was.
Infatuatedand a complete idiot who happened to have left her shop full of tools and equipment unlocked with an almost stranger.
Did she even lock the till?
Shaking her head, she realized that she wouldn’t ever imagine that Jack could take something from her…other than her heart.
Thirty minutes later, she came downstairs and was clean. She had dawdled and taken her time wondering if he was regretting coming early. She also wanted to give him time to get an Uber back if he needed it.
Coming down the stairs barefoot, she felt like a brand-new person free from the muck and grime. She was wearing a comfy set of jeans and a feminine blouse that could easily fit under a set of coveralls during the next few hours, if needed.
No dresses today. She was basically on call - only she just didn’t make the same amount of money a physician did.
As she descended, she saw Jack in the waiting room sitting patiently and staring at the television in the corner. When she entered the room, he hopped up out of his seat politely.
“Feel better?” he asked. She felt like a wall had come up between them and it was probably because of her slip.
“Much, I appreciate it. I wasn’t sure if you minded waiting or if you would leave.”
“Did you think I was leaving?”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
“Charlie-”
“Jack-” They both began and smiled. Charlie spoke first.
“Look, I don’t want things to be weird. I like you – a lot. I consider you a friend and if I can’t be myself with a friend, then maybe something’s wrong. If there is more, I don’t feel like there is a certain time frame or rules we have to follow. It just happens – and if not, then it doesn’t.”
“I agree.”
“So, what’s wrong? You seem a bit out of sorts.”
