Chapter 10 #2
The sympathetic look she gives me tells me that’s not the case. “I’m afraid not. Most of the damage is cosmetic, but some of the debris managed to get underneath the car and do some real damage.”
Bracing myself, I ask the question I suspect I don’t want the honest answer to. “How much will it cost to fix all of it?”
“Ethan, go get a drink or something.”
“But I’m not thirsty.”
Gem rolls her eyes with a sigh. “We need to talk money, clear out.”
“Why didn’t you just say that?”
“It’s called tact, kid. One of these days you’ll figure it out—now get lost.” The words are harsh, but her tone is one of loving exasperation.
“I’m nineteen, not a kid,” he grumbles, getting to his feet. He slips past, leaving through the door behind her.
“That bad, huh?” I ask.
Gem gives me a number that makes my jaw drop.
It’s not that I think she’s overcharging me, but I know it will take me a while to save up that much.
I looked up what the minimum wage is so that I know what to expect to earn from my job at Bowman’s.
Even if Austin gives me full-time hours—which I doubt he will—it will take me weeks to save up enough to pay Gem.
I could use one of my cards—I lied when I told Austin I was travelling without them—but that will make it easier for my mother to track me down. There has to be another option.
“What about getting it running again without making it look pretty?” The new number isn’t much lower, but a couple hundred off her original estimate is better than nothing.
“Let’s go with that. Um, I’ll need a little time before I can afford it.
I’ll be working at Bowman’s, but I’m not sure what my hours will be…
” I trail off, embarrassed. For all the problems that come with my high-profile life, one thing I’ve never taken for granted is that I’ve never had to worry about money.
“Oh, you’ve moved here? I thought you were a tourist. Welcome to town, sorry you’re off to a rough start.”
“No, I am a tourist. Well, kind of? I’m staying at least a month.
If my first week at Bowman’s goes OK, I’ll be here through the summer.
After that, I’m not sure.” I bite my lip to keep myself from rambling more than I already have.
This woman doesn’t want my life story, she wants to know when I’ll be able to pay her.
“OK,” Gem begins, unsure what to make of me. You and me both, girl. “I can’t keep your car here if I’m not working on it—I don’t have the room—but I can tow it to the parking behind Bowman’s if you want? Free of charge.”
I can just picture Austin’s face if I tell him my car will be taking up space in the bar’s limited parking area for the foreseeable future. He already hates me. This will only make it worse, but I don’t have any other options. Wait.
“I’m not sure the owner would like that, but I’m staying at The Dragonfly—they have parking, right?” I’m sure Esther mentioned something about that yesterday.
Gem nods. “Yeah, The Dragonfly has guest parking. You want me to leave the car there?”
“That would be amazing. You’re sure you don’t mind?”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t have offered otherwise. I’ll bring your car by the B&B after I close today and leave the keys with Esther for you. Once you’ve got the cash to cover the repairs, call or swing by and I’ll bring it back here to work on it. Sound good?”
“That would be great. I really appreciate it.” I guess it’s true what they say about people from small towns being friendly. Everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly helpful. Even Austin, who has every reason to dislike me, still gave me a job.
She waves off my gratitude with a smile. “Don’t worry about it. If there’s nothing else, I should get back to work.”
“I don’t suppose you know where I can get a good cup of coffee around here?”
Her lips twitch in amusement. “You’ll want to go to Beans & Bakes on the high street.”
“Thanks.” I head back outside and back the way I came, looking forward to something better than the instant stuff on offer at The Dragonfly.
The tarmac changes to cobbles once I get closer to the centre of town, and it’s easy to spot the high street Gem and Esther have both mentioned.
The street is lined with old buildings that have kept a lot of their original charm.
Large bay windows are full of colourful displays, and I’m pleasantly surprised to discover there isn’t a chain business in sight—at least, not one I recognise.
It’s been a while since I lived in England, but I’ve been back plenty of times for tour dates, appearances, and interviews.
Seeing so many independent businesses that appear to be thriving lifts my low mood a fraction.
People living their dreams is always something to be happy about.
Just because my dream hasn’t turned out to be what I thought it would be doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone.
I resist the lure of the cute craft shop and nearby bookstore, promising myself I’ll stop into both before I leave town.
When I muster the willpower to drag my gaze away from the bookstore’s window display of romance books, I spot a sign with swirling letters.
The coffee shop next door is called Beans & Bakes. Cute.
The moment I push open the heavy door and step inside, I can see why Gem recommended the place.
The rich scent of fresh coffee and sugary treats hangs in the air and, despite it being a weekday, there are plenty of locals occupying various tables.
There’s a group of older folks dressed in workout clothes comprising an alarming amount of velour spread across two tables by the bay window, a couple of younger people with laptops, and a handsome guy with arms covered in beautiful tattoos sketching, absentmindedly bobbing his head along to whatever’s playing through his wireless headphones.
A beautiful redhead greets me from behind the counter. Unlike Austin, her hair is less ginger, more what I’d call auburn. She’s also smiling—something I’m yet to see that man do. “What can I get you?”
I order a latte to go, then wait by the end of the counter.
Tiredness hits me in a wave, and I zone out while she works on my order.
The stress of yesterday, of last week, hell of the last year is catching up to me.
I’d planned to keep exploring while enjoying my coffee, but now going back to the B&B for a nap is a much more appealing option.
I can rest, hang out in my room for a while, then I’ll track down Esther to ask her where she recommends I go for dinner.
While my feast of snacks worked fine last night, I should eat something more substantial tonight to help me survive whatever training Austin’s planning to put me through tomorrow.
“Thanks,” I say to the redhead, accepting my coffee and heading out.
“Hey, wait!” a deep voice calls out behind me.
I look over my shoulder, alarmed to see it’s the guy with the sketchbook from the coffee shop.
Shit, I can’t believe he’s recognised me.
While I know my fans come in all forms, if I had to imagine the kind of person who’d see through my disguise, I’d have guessed either a teenage girl or a woman in her twenties, not this guy.
Heart pounding, I walk faster. I need to get back to the B&B, then I need to get out of Pine Grove as quickly as possible before word gets out.
Fuck, Liam’s car. I can’t leave. The guy calls out again, and my chest tightens to the point of pain.
I can’t breathe. A hand lands on my shoulder, and I whirl around, yelping in surprise.
My hands shake so badly that I lose my grip on my coffee.
The paper cup lands between us, the lid popping off, causing the milky liquid to splash both our shoes.
“Shit, sorry, did you not hear me?” The stranger asks.
I eye him warily, rubbing my clammy palms along the outer seam of my jeans.
Fuck, he must be as tall as Austin—no wonder his long legs caught up to me so fast. I’ve never really minded being short, but right now I’m internally cursing my 5ft 2” stature along with every decision I’ve made that’s led me to this moment.
“You left this in the coffee shop. Daphne asked me to see if I could catch up to you.” He holds my small leather purse out for me to take, and I’m so relieved I could cry.
“Oh, thank you.” Blinking away tears before the helpful stranger thinks I’ve completely lost the plot, I shove the purse back into my bag where it belongs. Tired or not, I can’t believe I let myself get so distracted that I left something so important behind.
“Sorry about your coffee, let me buy you a new one.”
I’m already shaking my head before he finishes the sentence. “No, that’s OK.” I gingerly pick up the now-empty paper cup and lid, hoping I’ll spot a bin on my walk back to The Dragonfly.
He flashes me a charming grin that, paired with his good looks and tattoos, I imagine usually gets him whatever he wants. “Are you sure? It’s my fault you dropped it—I really didn’t mean to make you jump.”
“It’s fine. Thanks for bringing my purse, but I need to go.” I turn and hurry away without waiting for a response.
Maybe I should make more of an effort with people since it looks like I’ll be stuck here for a while.
Then again, after literally crashing into town, I don’t think it’s possible for me to make a worse first impression on the people of Pine Grove.
Besides, I’m still rattled after thinking he recognised me.
I need to get back to the safety of my room at The Dragonfly so I can think.
Just because this time turned out to be a false alarm doesn’t mean somebody won’t find out my secret in the future.
It was na?ve of me not to have an escape plan in place should that happen—something I plan to rectify as soon as I can breathe again.