The Relationship Mechanic (Peach Blossom #2)

Twenty

“H ow were things at work today? Anyone new come in that we should know about?”

Vini glanced at Ava. The question wasn’t abnormal, and yet it made her think of Jessica. Most things these days did. It was like with each day that passed, her mind conjured more and more thoughts of Jessica that refused to be exorcised.

Three days. That’s all she had left before she would drive out of Vini’s life, probably for good. Vini didn’t hold any illusions that Jessica would come back to Peach Blossom. She had practically said that more than once. This was a once-in-a-lifetime stopover for her before she moved on to places that more matched her large personality. Vini didn’t blame her for that. She couldn’t. She was too busy trying to put boards over the windows of her heart before the hurricane of sadness that came in the wake of Jessica leaving did its damage.

“No. It was pretty quiet,” Vini replied. It was the truth. There hadn’t been anyone new that came in. She had some routine work from the people in their town and the next one over. Jessica had come in again during Vini’s lunch and though there had been the type of sexual tension that normally would have had them relieving it in the seat of Vini’s car, they had spent the time talking. Just talking.

It had been a frustratingly wonderful past couple days, and Vini wasn’t sure whether to be happy about the fact that Jessica seemed to like her enough to start really opening up or resentful over the fact that she was doing so now right before she left. The more Vini found out about Jessica, the more she liked her and the more she knew for sure it was going to hurt once Jessica was gone. She couldn’t say anything, though, especially not to Jessica. This was the type of relationship she had agreed to. One that was nothing more than a few weeks of fun before she went back to the humdrum of normal life.

“So is Jessica still coming by the shop?” Ava asked. She phrased it nonchalantly, but Vini could hear a thread of something in her voice.

Vini paused cutting the vegetables and placed the knife down on the board before turning to look at Ava. “If you have a question, just ask.”

“I’m just saying it’s weird that that girl is always hanging around your shop,” Ava remarked. She glanced over at Vini with a raised eyebrow. “It’s almost like she’s trying to get something from you.”

Now Vini was angry. Sure, Ava actually wasn’t far off, in that both Vini and Jessica were getting things from one another, but the idea that the only reason Jessica was around was for sexual reasons didn’t sit right with Vini. Why was it so hard to believe that someone like Jessica might have been interested in her for pure reasons? “And what if she is?” Vini asked voice going sharp. “I don’t really see why it would be your business anyway.”

Ava paused what she was doing and looked at Vini more fully. “It would be my business because you’re my baby sister, she’s Grace’s friend and you don’t know her.”

“You don’t know her either,” Vini countered. “Seems to me that all you’ve got are some half-assed stories and some preconceived notions. I mean, Jessica was even nice enough to help throw me a birthday weekend, a weekend that you fully enjoyed, and yet you’re still sitting here telling me you’re suspicious of her for some reason. It’s not adding up, so you tell me what your deal is so we can move the hell on.”

Vini was growing tired of it. She had had a great few days, and she wasn’t trying to spend the next couple days arguing about something that was no one’s business but her own. Ava had always tended to overstep, especially when it came to Vini, but this was a new low. Never had she tried to get involved in Vini’s relationships before.

“My deal is that you don’t know the type of person Jessica is, so I don’t know why we’re even having to have this conversation. And why are you getting so defensive? You know I wouldn’t ever do something to hurt you. Jessica is nice and everything, but she has a reputation, that’s all. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“It seems like all you’re doing is sticking your nose in business that doesn’t pertain to you,” Vini said. She looked down at the vegetables and sighed before taking a step back and wiping her hands on her pants. She wasn’t even hungry now, and she definitely didn’t have any desire to stick around while Ava was spewing this nonsense. “If you want to sit here and speculate on shit like this, you’re more than welcome to do it by yourself. I have other things I’d rather be doing.”

“Where are you going?”

“Out,” Vini replied. She didn’t bother going upstairs to get changed, instead grabbing her keys and leaving the house. She was halfway down the street before she dialed Jessica’s number. She didn’t know what she was doing, she just knew that she needed to get out of there. When Jessica answered the phone, she sounded like she was in a far better mood than Vini.

“Hey, Vin. What’s going on?”

“Have you eaten dinner already? I’m kind of in the mood to get out of town for a little bit.” Vini wasn’t sure where she was planning on going, but she just knew she couldn’t stick around. Not tonight. “There’s a really nice Mexican place about thirty minutes from here, if you’re interested.”

She could hear talking in the background and wondered if she had interrupted when Grace and Jessica were busy. She felt tendrils of guilt slither in at the idea that she was once again monopolizing Jessica’s time and eating into the days she could be spending with Grace. Especially since she’d come to Peach Blossom to visit Grace in the first place. It didn’t seem like they had spent that much time together, and Vini knew it was because of not only her but also Ava monopolizing their time.

“Yeah, that sounds great, actually,” Jessica replied finally. “I can be ready in about fifteen minutes if that works for you.”

“Works perfectly. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Vini didn’t stop to think as she made her way to Grace’s place. She had barely pulled into the driveway when Jessica appeared at the front door. She moved quickly, striding down the stairs and over to Vini’s car. She was in before Vini even had a moment to think about it, and she wondered if Jessica was as eager to get out of the town for a bit as Vini was. Vini looked back at the house and saw Grace looking out from the window. She wondered what that was all about but resolved herself to mind her business. That was what she said to Ava earlier, and it would be hypocritical for her to not do the same, no matter how curious she was.

“You are a cherry-flavored lifesaver,” Jessica said blowing out a heavy breath. “Grace was driving me to contemplating homicide with her ridiculous questions and wanting to talk about my feelings.”

Vini snorted softly. It seemed that they were both running, then. She could definitely work with that. “Well, glad that my chariot services came in useful.” Jessica’s laughter washed over her, and Vini bathed in the comfort of that sound as she turned toward the highway.

The car was quiet, both seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Vini wondered if Jessica and Grace were having the same conversation as she and Ava. Dani seemed to be the only one who knew how to mind her own business, and right now she was Vini’s favorite sister. Even more so because she hadn’t shown her face the past couple days outside of coming home to sleep before heading back out to work again.

“So tell me about this Mexican place,” Jessica said breaking the silence between them. She didn’t turn to look at Vini, instead looking straight ahead in the direction they were going. “When you say it’s amazing , is it actually amazing or is it just the only option available?”

Vini laughed. “It’s definitely not the only one available, but it is still one of the best in the area. Trust me.”

Jessica nodded slowly and leaned her head back against the seat. She closed her eyes, and Vini had a tough time keeping her gaze on the road and not on the woman beside her. Still, the idea of getting to the restaurant in one piece won out, and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel as they continued down the highway. minutes later, they turned off the highway toward Valia City, a town even smaller than Peach Blossom. It didn’t have much available in the way of entertainment, but of its three restaurants, the Mexican restaurant was the best. It also had amazing mango margaritas, and Vini was in need of one right now.

When they pulled in, the parking lot was half-full. The air was cool as was the norm these days. Mornings tended to be chilly with it heating up in the afternoon before the inevitable evening temperature dip. It was the kind of weather that people always joked about in the South.

“It smells amazing in here,” Jessica remarked after they were seated at their table. She looked around, the small smile on her face making her seem years younger. Now without the need to keep the car straight, Vini could drink her fill of Jessica. She gazed across the table enjoying the excitement that practically leaked from Jessica’s essence.

“If I had known you liked Mexican food this much, I would have brought you here weeks ago.”

Jessica laughed. “I probably would have hopped in bed with you even sooner if you had.” A waitress interrupted them before she could say more, and after a few suggestions, they were alone again with a margarita each and anticipation for the meal. Vini watched as Jessica tried the chips and salsa.

“So...” She waited for her to finish chewing. When Jessica’s eyebrows shot up, Vini smirked.

“You are evil,” Jessica said waving a hand in front of her face. “Why didn’t you tell me that was the spicy one?”

“Aren’t you half Korean?” Vini countered. “You bragged all about your spice tolerance when we were in Atlanta.”

Jessica blinked away tears, her smile never leaving her face. “Korean spice and Mexican spice are two different things.” She took a sip of her margarita, her shoulders dropping as she licked her lips. “Oh, man, this thing is amazing.”

“Told you it was good.” Vini took a sip of her own drink. She hummed at the familiar tang of the mango and the sharp bite of the tequila. It was a perfect combination after a long hard day at work. “I used to joke that this was better than sex, mostly because I wasn’t having it. But now I know better.” Jessica’s laughter was contagious, and Vini found herself chuckling.

“I don’t know about all that,” Jessica said pulling her glass closer to her. She leaned over before looking up at Vini from beneath her kohl-dark eyelashes. “As delicious as this is, I think I would choose sex with you over it every time.”

A thrill ran up Vini’s spine, and she swallowed hard at the look in Jessica’s eyes. She saw Jessica’s lips moving, but all she could do was focus on the pounding of her heart. For the first time in a long time, she was regretting not having space of her own. She wanted to bring Jessica home and spend the night staring into those eyes as they dirtied every surface available. She wanted every corner of her place to be a reminder of her and Jessica and what they’d had.

That thought nearly stopped her in her tracks.

What did they have?

She and Jessica weren’t together. Not officially. Not the way Vini wanted, and therein lay the problem. Vini had argued with Ava about not making assumptions about why Jessica sought Vini out, but was she totally wrong? Vini was quickly realizing that the comfort she’d initially had with her and Jessica’s arrangement had somehow bled away in the past few weeks, leaving discontent and a gaping need to fill it. Vini had thought she was satisfied with how things were, but now she wasn’t so sure. After having Jessica for the past month and seeing what a relationship could be like, how could Vini just let all that go? She knew she needed to tell Jessica how she felt, if only to get everything out in the open so they could deal with things.

Before Vini had a chance to say anything, Jessica’s words reached her ears. “... And I can’t wait to get to Italy. My parents spend every other Christmas there, so I’ve made some good friends.”

“Oh?” Vini remembered Jessica talking about Italy a couple times, but she hadn’t realized it was a place she went to frequently. “So you like it there, then?”

Jessica nodded enthusiastically. “It’s one of my top three places. I bought a villa there a couple years ago for when I go stay. My friend, Gianna, lives there year-round and takes care of the place for me. She’s always trying to get me to settle back there permanently.”

At the sound of another woman’s name, everything stopped. Logically, Vini knew Jessica had friends outside of Grace. Hell, she even knew that Jessica probably had other people she was seeing before she came to Peach Blossom. But with the idea of that right in front of her, she found herself shutting down. She hadn’t expected Jessica to declare her love for Vini and promise to stay in town forever, but she hadn’t realized Jessica was so eager to leave.

“Why haven’t you?” It was a question Vini didn’t want to ask, but she had to know the answer. “I’ve heard southern Italy is beautiful.”

Jessica nodded. “It is. The beaches are nice too, but I’m just not ready to be tied down right now.”

Vini nodded in agreement even as the fire of hope she had been reluctantly cultivating slowly dwindled. There was no way in hell Peach Blossom was competing with Italy. The two places weren’t even on the same wavelength. Vini couldn’t deny that it would be exciting to go and see something new. She wanted to travel, and it was in her plans for the future, but Peach Blossom was home for her. She couldn’t imagine ever settling somewhere else long-term. Her life was the shop and building it into something she felt was truly hers. She had years before she could say that she had reached that goal.

“That’s really cool that you have a place there,” Vini said finally when she felt she could speak without her voice wavering. “I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. Ava visited in college and would always send us pictures. We were supposed to visit her over the summer, but life just sort of got in the way, and she came back to Peach Blossom before we could try to plan a visit again.”

“You really should try to go,” Jessica insisted. “My dad was stationed in Germany for a couple years, and my mom and I would always take train trips to the surrounding countries. I’m excited to see Italy again.”

“I wish I could go with you,” Vini said before snapping her mouth shut. She hadn’t meant to say that. Making plans together that didn’t consist of lunch or maybe a drive-in movie was not something they did. It went over the line of what they did. Peach Blossom was it for Vini, but for Jessica the world was wide-open.

Jessica opened her mouth, but before she could speak, their waitress returned with a platter of their food. Vini blinked away, pushing down the pain of realizing this thing between them was going nowhere. They were too different—too different to have a relationship work. Vini should have seen that from the start, but she was seeing it now. She had painted herself into a corner, and now she didn’t know how to find her way out again.