Epilogue
I blink as sweat stings my eyes, and use the back of my wrist to wipe the droplets forming on my brow.
Today has to be a record-breaking day when it comes to the heat. I’m starting to consider moving somewhere colder. All I’ve got to do is get Pen on board. Otherwise, I’m going to drown in my sweat.
The garage doors are open, and we’ve got the fans blasting to help ease the discomfort. However, I don’t think it’s making much difference.
I’m fucking dying here.
My bicep flexes as I put my weight on the socket wrench to loosen a nut that has all but morphed to the piece it’s attached to thanks to the thick layer of rust built up over the long years.
Catching my knuckle on the alternator as my hand slips, I curse as my skin tears, leaving a red drop forming around the rest of the grime on my hand. Stubborn fucking piece. All because I don’t want to take the extra step of taking out everything in my way. In annoyance, I toss the tool and huff as it clangs against the concrete.
My boss, August, rumbles with a chuckle next to me as he works on another car. Sensing my frustration, he finds more amusement in my struggles than finding the need to offer a hand.
Be this a lesson on not taking any shortcuts, I guess. Frustrates me, nonetheless.
Muttering curses quietly at the bolt, I pause and take a look back at my project and try to see if there’s another way to go at it.
Hearing my name getting called out, I lift my annoyed gaze and meet amber eyes that are known for never putting up with shit.
Clarissa pops her gum, throwing a thumb behind her. Her ginger hair whooshes as she turns her head to look toward the opening of one of the garage doors.
“Your wife just pulled in. Is she bringing us anything this time?” There’s a little hope in her voice all because of the few times Pen has been generous. Today, I’m sure everyone wouldn’t mind a nice ice cold drink to get through this harsh weather.
Seeing as I wasn’t expecting a visit, I doubt any of us are getting anything.
All it takes is thinking something is wrong to hit the top of my head against the hood. Fuck.
Two weeks ago, she tripped at work and scrapped up her knees real good. It took all the strength in the world not to make her leave the house with elbow and knee pads after that. If she received any other sorts of injuries…
I look at August, practically pleading with my eyes. I’m not good at hiding my thoughts on my face.
He rolls his eyes, but he understands, having a wife of his own. “Fifteen minutes. That’ll give me time to think without hearing you insult that masterpiece.” He looks at my task like I should feel honored to work on it.
Whatever. Not going to correct him if it means him taking back his words.
Thanking him, I head over to the sink against the wall to wash up a bit. Even if I feel disgusting, I can clean up a little before I let Penelope get an eyeful of me.
Once I rush toward the lot, I’m relieved to see she’s in one piece. No injury in sight.
I find her car parked in the lot, and she’s resting against the hood. Her attention is on Perfect Brews, the local coffee shop with her favorite iced coffee. She’s got a problem, and I’m sure she’s debating on sneaking over there. Wearing a pastel pink top and a pair of shorts that make my mouth water more than the inviting meal in her hands, I step a little faster before she considers feeding her addiction to coffee.
“You’ve just made my day a thousand times better.” Reaching her, I cradle her face and steal a kiss before she can jump at my appearance.
Remembering the state I’m in, I pull away before I stain up her uniform. Stepping back, my smile forms immediately.
Penelope’s cheeks grow pink as she gets a full look at me. The way she bites her lip and grips the meal in her hands, she’s looking at me like I’m not currently disgusting. More like she wouldn’t mind licking me all over to see what I taste like.
Now is not the time to let my cock get hard, not when I don’t have the time to slip off to relieve ourselves.
“Brought you this new fruity drink to try.” She lifts the plastic up, the ice clinking together. “Figured I could steal you away for lunch.”
I want to kiss her again and feed my need for her more than I want to feed myself with food. Thankfully, I’ve learned how to fight the urge to flatten her against any surface at the more inconvenient times of the day.
We’ll save that for once our shifts are over.
The drink is sour in ways I love. Her eyes light up when I take in a big gulp. When I compliment it, her gaze softens.
“I knew you’d love it. It’s a limited time offer, so I wanted to make sure you could try it before everyone in town bought us out. It’s so good!” Biting back her smile, she beckons me to sit in her car, where we can enjoy the blissful air conditioning. I don’t think twice about it.
Once we’re settled inside, she pulls out two burgers from her bag and hands one to me. Tearing into her own, she sighs as she takes a bite. Telling me all about her shift in between bites, she complains about some of her regulars. Her day sounds as rough as my own.
Telling her about my shift next and my frustrations, I scarf down my burger with many appreciative bites. No matter how many Tee’s burgers I eat, I’ve yet to get tired of them. A pretty server bringing them to me every time might have something to do with it.
“You’ll get it done.” The curve of her smile is welcoming as her shoulder brushes mine. “You always do.”
Sounding so sure of herself, I can’t help but believe her.
The sudden chime of her phone makes my heart ache.
“Looks like I have to get back.” She sighs as she crumples up her wrapper. Tossing it in the paper bag, she turns to look my way. “Are you going to survive?”
“Barely.” Only halfway through my shift, I know I’m going to need something to get me through the rest of it.
The laugh that leaves her lips is a good start. Her leaning in to kiss me helps fill in the gaps.
“If you need a push, if you finish early, maybe August will let you leave. If that happens, and I’m already home, then maybe I’ll have something waiting for you. Something to help you forget all about that stubborn car.” Her invitation comes out as a soft whisper that promises the need to readjust myself before I return.
This woman will be the death of me.
With the way her eyes light up, I may consider walking out if I don’t get to leave early. The promise in her voice, and the surprise I can only imagine as one I’ll love, I have to force myself out of the car before I turn one kiss into three.
Now, with determination seeping through me, I give a swift goodbye before returning to the garage with a fire burning behind my gaze.
August is grinning like he recognizes the look.
I’m too busy throwing myself back into my work to see if he’s got anything to say.
I’ve got a job to do and a wife to return to.