I glanced around the small office. Somehow, she had managed to spruce it up as well. I hadn’t even looked in here yesterday. She’d painted the room, shifted the desk and file cabinets, and added a few items on the walls. I tried not to grin when I realized the pictures in here were taken more recently and were mostly of me with a motorcycle. She was surrounding herself with me.
And I liked it more than I should.
I was going through the emails, listing the assorted requests, and wondering if Charly could somehow figure out a way of sorting and detailing the various offers, when Brett walked in. It was just after seven, but I somehow wasn’t shocked he would arrive early.
He poured a cup of coffee, took a sip, and grimaced. “Obviously, Charly didn’t make this.”
“I gave her the day off, so you’re stuck with my tar.”
He sat down. “She deserves the day.”
I looked around. “I have no idea how she did all this in such a short time.”
“She worked nonstop,” Brett stated. “Sweet-talked everyone she could into helping. Handed out oil changes and tune-ups like candy. Bartered like a pro.” He chuckled. “Watching her delve into boxes and come up with the most obscure items and get so excited about using them—” he shook his head in amusement “—she was a little force unto herself. You’re lucky to have her.”
“She’s a great asset to the garage,” I admitted. “An amazing assistant.”
He snorted and drained his mug. “I think she’s more than that, judging from the phone conversation I had to endure.”
Laughing, I explained the call. He joined in my amusement, but after the laughter died, he studied me. “She’s astonishing, Maxx. Don’t write her off so lightly.”
“I’m not in the market for what she needs.”
“That’s a shame.” He stood and poured another cup of coffee. “I think you’re what she needs.”
Before I could question his statement, he changed the subject.
“So, about me staying on.”
“Right.” I laid out my thoughts, and we discussed the future. I was surprised when he informed me he didn’t know if he wanted to return to the garage he’d been working at in Toronto.
“I will only ever be a mechanic there. There are no rewards, no place to go, nothing to aim for, except maybe manager. I do my job and go home.” He scrubbed his face. “There’s no pride in my work, if that makes any sense.”
“Totally does to me,” I agreed. “Where do you see yourself in a few years, Brett? Surely not sleeping in the back of a garage working for me?”
“No, I’d like a place of my own, eventually.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll be honest, Maxx. My apartment in Toronto wasn’t much bigger than the room back there, and not as comfortable either. Plus, it didn’t include Charly’s meals. Right now, that suits me. As for working, I need to prove myself and earn your trust. Maybe one day I can be more than a hired hand. But I have to start somewhere, and I like it here.” Amusement filled his eyes. “With everything Charly has planned, plus what I hear about the offers you have, you’re going to need help.”
I had no idea what Charly’s plans entailed, but I knew I needed help. And I liked Brett—he had always been a decent guy.
We talked salary and hours, then shook hands. He stood and stretched. “Another guy I worked with in Toronto is looking. Name is Stefano. Amazing with carburetors. A touch like I’ve never seen. And his passion is airbrushing. Might come in handy with your expanded area.”
I mulled over his words.
“He’s coming to see me next week. Wouldn’t hurt to at least meet him?”
“I suppose not.”
“Great. I’m gonna get my stuff, throw it in my room, and get started.” He winked. “I have a couple of tune-ups coming in today, courtesy of the whirlwind named Charly.”
I had to agree. Whirlwind described her well.
She appeared around nine, dressed in a pair of jeans that clung to her ass in the most appealing way possible and a frilly blouse. I noticed when not in the garage, she liked girly clothes. Frilly things, with lace. Never much for such things, I did think they suited her.
I followed her into the office, staring openly at her ass until she turned and faced me. I kept my facial expression neutral.
“Quit ogling my ass, Maxx.”
“I’m not.”
She rolled her eyes and fluttered her fingers in the air. “Duh, windows all around. I watched you.”
Busted.
I bent low, meeting her eyes. “It’s a rather spectacular ass, Charly. It needs to be ogled.”
She huffed out an exaggerated puff of air, and I grinned at her little display of annoyance. I picked up the checks and handed them to her.
“Your paycheck, what I owe Mary, money for groceries, and if you’re at the bank, the petty cash replacement.”