Chapter 1
Islide into the worn leather booth at Uncle Joe’s Bar. “Hey, girl,” I say, thankful to see one of my best friends. She lives over in Raytown, but after meeting during summer camp, we became like sisters to each other.
“Hey, Aimee. Long day?” Maya sets down her cocktail and smiles at me.
I nod, and some of the built-up tension melts away just from being with Maya and being able to unwind a little. Waving down the waiter, I ask for an IPA. “You have no idea. The project for Morrison’s is a nightmare. They keep changing the goalposts and it’s exhausting,” I groan, leaning back against the back of the booth and closing my eyes. “I’m also mocking up some concept designs for Antonia and Colleen, for the Warrior Cares fundraiser, and I’m much more excited about that project. But I don”t want to talk shop. I have some big news.”
Maya”s eyes light up. “I know we haven’t talked lately, but are you holding out on me? Have you found a man who appreciates you and adores you beyond measure?”
“Ha,” I laugh and roll my eyes. “Not even close. Remember my dad’s Mustang? Remember how he always said I could have it on my thirtieth birthday?” I pause, watching Maya.
“Your thirtieth was last week…” Maya says, her eyes showing everything clicking into place.
“Yeah. It’s mine now. Dad swore my mom to secrecy before he passed. She gave me the keys on my birthday. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it,” I sigh, a wave of mixed emotions rolling over me.
“Wow.” Maya gasps, her voice filled with awe. “I remember you telling me how you dreamed about owning that car. But wait,” she pauses, tilting her head in confusion. “How did you not know your mom still had the car?”
I shrug. “I guess it was in the garage, and it’s not like I go in there these days. Though I can’t believe Mom never said anything.”
The waiter comes by, drops a coaster on the table, and places a pint of beer on it.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a deep drink of the cold beer and savoring the sharp, hoppy taste.
A rush of memories floods my mind – my little hands gripping the leather steering wheel as I pretended to drive while we were at the gas station and my dad was filling the tank.
Maya leans forward, squeezing my arm gently. She knows how it was with my dad. “How do you feel about it?”
“Honestly? Conflicted,” I admit, sighing softly. “That car was his pride and joy. But after I chose graphic design at college…” I wave my hand, and Maya nods. She’s heard it all so many times before that there’s no reason to rehash it all again.
I stare into my beer, bitterness rising in my throat. My relationship with my father weighs heavily on my heart, though now that he’s gone, it’s not like anything can be changed. I know it’s not an uncommon story, but he wanted me to live my life the way he wished he could have lived his. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t do things differently if I had another chance because to change things would have meant giving up on my dreams.
“I wish we could”ve understood each other better,” I say finally. “I’m taking it to Rebel Autos this week because the car needs a lot of work. I didn’t know he’d slacked off on the maintenance for it before he had his heart attack.” I look away, trying to push down the feelings rising in me. Fixing our relationship was something I thought we’d eventually manage, but then Dad had a heart attack and died a few days later. There are so many things I wish I could have said to him and so many things I hoped he would say to me.
Maya nods understandingly. “Maybe this could be healing for you?”
I look at my close friend and shrug. It’s been a week since my mom gave me the keys to the car on my birthday, but I still can’t figure out how I feel about this gift. Was my dad just honoring his promise? Or was this meant to be some kind of guilt-trip gift?
“Enough about me. How’s the new project at work?” I ask Maya, eager to shift the focus away from me and the Mustang.
Maya”s face lights up, and she tucks a loose chestnut curl behind her ear. “Good! I just closed on my first big listing.”
“Look at you, real estate mogul in the making,” I tease playfully. “I’m so thrilled for you!”
She rolls her eyes, a laugh escaping her lips. “Hardly a mogul, but maybe one day. I am loving the challenge of growing my family”s business.”
Maya pauses for a beat too long, and beneath her confident facade, I sense a hint of worry. I nudge her foot under the table. “What”s up, babe?” I ask, my voice filled with genuine concern. Maya tends not to open up about the things that bother her the most.
Maya sighs, and her shoulders droop. “It”s just... Mom and Grandma have been hinting pretty heavily about me ”settling down.” They want me to get married and have kids.”
I snort, unable to hold back my laughter. “That”s rich coming from the matriarchs of Raytown”s most successful real estate empire. What about Martin and Lucy?”
“Right? She’s already pregnant with her second child!” Maya throws her hands up in exasperation. “I want to focus on my career, but they make me feel so guilty, like I”m failing as a woman. It’s not like there aren’t other grandchildren already.”
My heart aches for Maya, knowing the internal struggle she faces. I reach across the table, gently squeezing her hand in support. “Maya, you”re the most badass woman I know. Don”t let them make you doubt yourself,” I say firmly. She is incredibly talented, and I know her family knows, even if she’s getting pressured to start her own family. “You’ll have kids when – and if – you want to.”
Her lips lift into a resigned smile. “We’ll see. First, I have to find a man who looks past who my family is and all these,” she gestures down at her beautiful, voluptuous body, “curves. You know how it is.”
I sigh and nod. I’m not the only daughter of one of the founding families of the Heartland region, but I’ve met plenty of men intimidated by me running my own business and who think a woman with meat on her bones is only up for a good time and nothing more.
“We’ll find good men, Maya. I promise we will.” One day, hopefully, I add to myself.
* * *
I followthe tow truck on the drive to Rebel Autos, the most-respected repair shop in the Heartland region. I’ve never been here before, but I’ve heard about them, especially how they’re the top garage for vintage cars.
“Afternoon, ma”am.” One of the mechanics walks toward me, wiping his hand on a rag before shaking mine. “I’m Wes. How can I help you today?”
“Hi, Wes. I”m Aimee. I need to have my dad’s…my,” I correct myself, “Mustang restored. Everyone says Rebel Autos is the best, so here I am.” I smile and shake his hand.
Wes’s eyes light up when he sees the Mustang. “I’m glad you brought her in. We don’t get many Mustangs these days. She’s a gorgeous car.”
“Thanks,” I say, watching the tow truck lower the car in front of an empty bay.
“She”s a real beauty. What year is she? ‘68? ‘69?” Wes glides his hands gently over the gold paint.
“1968,” I reply. “It was my dad”s.”
Understanding flickers in Wes”s eyes. “We can definitely fix this up for you. Let me get some information, and we can get started.”
“Hold up a second,” a deep baritone instructs.
I turn to see a burly man with short dark hair and tattoos emerging from the garage. “This your car?” he asks, extending a muscular arm to shake my hand.
“It is. It’s been in storage for a few years. I don’t think my dad kept up with maintenance before putting it in storage, so it needs some TLC.”
The man’s eyes glint with admiration as he looks over the Mustang. “Haven’t seen one of these in a while. She”s a real beauty. Wes,” he says, turning away, “I got this one. You finish working on that truck.”
Wes looks frustrated but nods and doesn’t say anything before returning to the garage.
“I’m Mack,” he says, extending his hand to mine. “This is my place.” I’m momentarily stunned as a jolt of electric desire zaps me when his strong hand holds mine and shakes it.
“Please to meet you,” I say, hoping my cheeks aren’t as flushed as my whole body feels.
Mack walks around the Mustang. He trails his fingers over the body before popping the hood and inspecting the engine. “This is a truly magnificent car, though she needs some work. You’ve come to the right place to get her restored.”
“Thanks,” I say, wishing his fingers were trailing my skin instead of the Mustang. “I’ve loved this car since I was little.”
Mack grins, and I bite my lip as I look at him. I push down the images that pop into my head of me touching his hot skin, using his body like my personal playground, and how it would feel to be held in his muscular arms.
Down girl!
I blink rapidly and hope my sudden lust isn’t written all over my face.
As Mack and I discuss the work needed, I can see how deeply he cares about cars. When my voice catches as I tell him how I inherited the car, he doesn’t press me.
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as a thought crosses my mind. “I always dreamed of taking this car on a road trip and driving up the coast.”
Mack”s eyes meet mine, and his expression softens. “That sounds like a damn good idea. After I’m done, she”ll be ready to hit the road.”
I wonder if I could convince him to join me.