26. Talon
26
TALON
A FEW MONTHS LATER
[Social Media Post from the Lowcountry Automotive]
Don’t forget, all this week if you bring your receipt from Taste of Magnolia, you’ll get a $5 discount off your vehicle’s service and be entered to win a free oil change.
#supportlocal #lowcountryautomotive #tasteofmagnolia #magnoliapoint
I hit post and sit back in my chair. Social media has never been my thing, but I’ve slowly been increasing our online presence. We’ll definitely have to hire another mechanic soon, but that is a problem for another day.
The garage is busy as I step out of my office and head for my brother, sitting behind the front desk. I’d feel worse about him filling the role of receptionist if he didn’t also use the downtime to run his graphic design business.
He’d done all the rebranding for the garage, and the response has been more than I could have expected.
“Hey, how’s it look for the rest of the week?” I ask even though I have access to the same scheduling program in my office.
“Pretty much booked through the rest of the week. You need to hire another mechanic soon. Things will probably slow down next month, but you’re not going to want to wait.”
“I mean, you could fill that role and I could hire someone for reception,” I say pointedly, but he just grins and spreads his hands out to the side.
“And miss all this? You already pay me a decent salary, and I don’t have to scrape grease from under my nails. Honestly, I’d be an idiot to pass this up.”
“Sounds like you owe me a favor.” I grin and he frowns.
“I’m gonna hate it, aren’t I?”
“Probably.” I shrug.
“What is it?”
Rolling my lips in, I try like hell not to smile. “I’m taking Cora on vacation in two weeks. We’re closing the garage that week and the week of Christmas.”
“I know.” He points to the calendar. “I wrote it down.”
“Cora and Aspen just booked a last-minute event the week we’re gone, and I’m asking you to help Aspen make sure it goes off without a hitch.”
My brother’s mouth opens and then closes before he shakes his head. “No, ask Bristol to help. I’ll watch Navy and the pig and watch that Christmas movie she likes on repeat until my eyes bleed.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Besides, Mom and Dad are taking Bristol and Navy to one of those princesses on ice things.”
Dragging his hands down his face, Phoenix growls a string of expletives. “I can’t believe you.”
“It’s one day and you’re a grown-ass man. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Did he say yes?” Cora asks with a hopeful expression as she bursts into the garage and comes to stand beside me.
“You play dirty,” Phoenix says under his breath before turning a smile on my girl. “Yeah, I can help.”
She squeals and then races around the desk to wrap him in a hug. It’s awkward because he’s still sitting, but she doesn’t seem to notice as she rocks him back and forth with excitement.
“Thank you so much. I haven’t taken a vacation since I started and I’m just—gah! Best brother ever.” Pulling back, she smirks. “Almost makes me want one.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he says with an eye roll, but I don’t miss the way his lips curve up on one side.
“I’ll make a big batch of that salsa you like. Oh! And the lemon bars.”
“It’s not that big of a hardship,” I grumble but they both ignore me.
“Does Aspen know?” he asks, his arms crossing over his chest.
“I’ll tell her when she’s back from visiting her sister in Love Beach.”
“She’s going to be mad,” he says.
“She’ll be mad if you plan on being a dick. Do you plan on being a dick?”
Spreading his arms out wide, he says, “I’m not trying to be a dick to her. Seriously, I’m not that bad.”
“She just brings it out in you. I get it,” I say with a smirk and a swat to Cora’s ass.
She winks and Phoenix scowls.
“Go enjoy your vacation. I’ll be fine. Aspen and I will be fine.”
“One more fine and I won’t believe you,” Cora says as she places her small hand in mine.
“They’ll be fine,” I repeat. “Now, let me take you home for lunch.”
“What are we having?”
My expression is wolfish, making my brother groan and Cora laugh as she tugs me toward the door.
With the ring in my pocket, this is turning out to be the best day ever.