First

‘My head is killing me,’ he tells me evenly. ‘You made me hit it on the inside of the hood.’

‘How do you expect me to react when you’re whispering sweet nothings into the phone?’

He pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. ‘To the engine, Cat. Not to you.’

I shrug. ‘I’m an equal opportunity perv. Sue me.’

He snatches the bag from my hand and stalks toward the back of the shop. Angelo, Dally’s boss, waves as I pass by the office window. I grin and wave back, scurrying after Dally as he heads to the break room.

It’s a familiar place. Dally’s already thrown a paper floor mat down on the plastic-covered couch so I don’t get anything on my clothes. I slip off my flip-flops and sit cross-legged. Dally tosses me my sandwich and drops some coins into the soda machine.

‘Coke?’ he asks.

‘As always,’ I reply. He lobs me the cool can before putting in more change and getting his orange soda.

‘How can you drink that stuff?’ I ask him as I check my phone. Still no messages from Tom. Curses. ‘Did you wake up one day and think, you know what sounds good? Carbonated orange Jell-O.’

‘Says the girl who drinks green tea?’ he throws back. His voice goes into a falsetto mockery of mine. ‘Hmm, I believe tea would be delightful this morning. What? I’m out of tea bags? No matter. I’ll just take a dirty sock and fill it with lawn clippings.’

‘You’re such a dick.’

He glances up from his sandwich, mischief dancing in his eyes. ‘No, brown eyes, I have such a dick. And you want it bad.’

There are no words that would provide a good enough response. So I throw a slice of avocado at him. It splats squarely against his cheek. He sighs and peels it off, dropping it into the bag before licking his fingers. I have to look away, still too aware of my earlier tingles from that phone call.

I’m about halfway done with my sandwich when I get a text from Tom. His finals are done now too; they sucked. I quickly type in the response Maya taught me about consolatory drinks and put my phone back down. I don’t want Dally getting suspicious.

I manage two more bites before it dings again. He thinks drinks sound great. Offers to pick me up tonight.

Score!

Dally notices my grin as he’s wiping off his hands. ‘Why are you so happy?’

I finish my response and slip my phone back in my purse. ‘Because I’m here with you,’ I answer sweetly.

‘You

can’t lie for shit,’ he mutters. But he hangs out with me until I finish my lunch too.

Once our trash is thrown away, we head back out toward the main garage. He walks me to Old Blue and leans against the door while I start her up.

‘Should I be worried you haven’t tried to jump my bones yet?’ he asks. His voice is bland, just a hint of curiosity present.

‘Nope. I’ve decided there’s not point risking our friendship by pressuring you so much.’

Oops, that was too much. Now he’s leaning down to peer through my open window. Suspicion makes his eyes darken.

‘Unless you want me to pressure you?’ I add quickly.

He frowns. ‘I don’t trust you.’

‘You know me too well,’ I joke. ‘See you at home.’

His hands tap against Old Blue’s door, but he eventually steps back and lets me leave. I glance at the clock. I’ve probably only got four hours before Dally will be back home. God willing, that will be enough time to find an outfit for tonight’s date with Tom.

Day 2 — Evening

‘Are you done yet?’ Cat asks through the door. Again.