Down on Me (Man of the Month 1)

"But seriously," Amanda continued, "he used to have one of those remodeling shows on television. And every property he's worked on that I've sold for him has been top-notch. So he must have some idea what he's doing."

"He sounds like a real possibility," Jenna said. "You'll shoot me his info?"

"Of course. Although if he buys the mansion, he probably won't have time." She pursed her lips, considering. "Actually, I just thought of someone even better. My friend Brooke does commercial renovations, and she mentioned that she's looking for a high-profile project."

"Why? And what does that even mean?"

"Not a clue," Amanda admitted. "But I'll set up a meeting and you can figure it out. Call it my good deed for the day, even if you are a total bitch."

"Who's a bitch?" Reece's cousin, Mike, looking young and eager, staggered under two racks full of recently washed beer glasses. He plunked them down on the counter and started to put them away.

"According to Amanda, I am. But she loves me anyway. Which is why she's getting the check, right? My turn next, once I'm gainfully employed?"

"I already told you this one was on me," Amanda agreed. "You look familiar," she added to Mike. "Do I know you?"

"Reece's cousin," Jenna said. "I think y'all must have met somewhere, but who knows? You're a senior now, right?"

"Yup," Mike said. "Turned eighteen a few months ago, and I start at the University in the fall. Working as many hours as I can until then. Stocking up on cash, you know."

"Very responsible of you," Jenna said, as Amanda mouthed, Too young. Too bad.

Jenna rolled her eyes. Amanda liked to pretend she slept with anything that moved, but Jenna knew better. Her friend was more discriminating than that. But she never, ever got serious about a guy. Or, at least, she hadn't yet, despite Jenna's best efforts to pair Amanda with someone.

"Listen, I need to run," Jenna said. "I need to get all these ideas organized plus do some research for tonight."

"No prob," Amanda said. "Do you want me to drive you? Or are you going to call a ride share?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that," Mike said, squinting at a glass, and then polishing away some water spots.

"I don't?" Jenna looked to Amanda, who shrugged, just as confused. "Why don't I?"

"Because Reece got you a car." He was grinning ear to ear. "It's out back. He said you'd be surprised."

"He said he wanted to see the look on her face when she saw the surprise," Reece said, coming down the bar and smacking Mike with a hand towel. "Jerk."

"Sorry! I didn't want her running off to get an Uber or something."

"You seriously got me a car?" She couldn't take her eyes off Reece, standing there like a knight, his grin at least as bright as armor. "How could you afford that?"

"Didn't cost much," he said. "I made it for you. Or, rather, I restored it. Come on. It's parked in the loading zone out back."

Her heart hitched, and she tried to remember when, if ever, someone had done a thing like that for her. As far as she could recall, the answer was a big, fat never.

But there it was, a 1972 El Camino in a bright yellow. A classic cross between a truck and a car with a single bench seat in the front and a truck bed in the back. "Isn't that your grandfather's old car?"

"He bought himself a Lincoln. Said if I could get this one running again, I could have it. And since I knew you were coming back to Austin without a car..." He trailed off with a shrug. "It only took me a weekend. Well, once I got serious about fixing it up for you. I've been fiddling with it here and there during my days off."

She turned to him, her hand pressed over her heart. "Reece." His name seemed to stick in her throat. "I can't believe you did this."

He reached for her hand, then squeezed lightly before pulling back, leaving the key ring behind. "Can't you?"

She lifted the keys, then fisted her hand around the metal, still warm from his touch. "Truthfully? I can. You got Mike a job. You're helping Tyree out. Of course, you got me a car." She cocked her head, looking at him. "I bet you're re-roofing your dad's place."

He chuckled. "No, just refinishing his kitchen cabinets."

She stepped forward, then rose up on tiptoes to brush a kiss over his cheek, his beard tickling her lips. "You're a good man, Reece Walker."

"Wait until you see how it drives before you go making assessments like that." He held the door open for her, and she got in, then rolled down the window once he closed the door. After a second, he cleared his throat. "Don't forget to talk to Easton about all the legal stuff. He can give me a call about the partnership documents."