Sasha just laughs. "I remember you. You were the one who towed my car."
He extends a hand and pumps hers heartily. "That's right. I'm usually the one that goes on the runs if I'm here."
I motion toward Jim. "He's also the only reason Zack and I have a shop. He's the one who taught us about cars."
Jim cackles. "Only after I caught you both trying to steal mine. Little bastards." He glances over at Sasha again.
She clamps her lips together and I can tell she's trying not to laugh. "So you caught him trying to steal your car? How did you go from catching a thief to teaching them how to fix cars?"
Jim grins, revealing a row of crooked teeth. "I figured teaching them how to do something useful was better than letting 'em get hauled off to jail. My old man wasn't around a lot when I was a kid either so I know how it is. Plus, I was a little sweet on Debbie back then. Gabe's momma has always been a looker."
I clap him on the back, halting his story. "Okay, that's enough about that."
Jim nods to us both as we continue up front. One of my mechanics, Reed Harris, looks up as we enter the front of the shop. He's in the reception area making a cup of coffee. After more introductions and Reed sending me an impressed look when Sasha isn't looking, I lead her into my office. There are a few new client accounts that I need to update and I also have to check the upcoming payroll to make sure ever
yone’s hours look right. When I look up, Sasha is watching me.
“Sorry, I know this is boring. That’s why I thought it was weird for Zack to invite you. Hanging out in an auto garage doesn’t seem like it would be your thing.”
“Are you kidding? I’m already thinking of all the stuff you can show me here. I saw a motorcycle in there. Can you teach me to ride? Then we could race!”
She gets excited about the strangest things. I'm willing to bet that she was a handful as a kid. I have a vision of a gorgeous little girl that has me wrapped around her finger the same way Sasha does. The clarity of the image stuns me almost as much as how badly I want that. It takes me off guard, this sudden longing for all the things I never imagined I'd want. Security. Stability. Family.
Shaken, I cover my reaction with a forced smile. “Sasha, we're not racing motorcycles.”
She sticks out her tongue and then jumps up. “Maybe Zack will do it!”
I watch in astonishment as she races out the door. By the time I catch up to her, she’s behind the front desk where Reed is picking up the keys for the next vehicle he’s going to work on.
He grins down at her. “Did you lose something, boss?”
"I hope not."
She gives me a cheeky grin. "Don't let me distract you. I know you need to get some paperwork done. I don't mind waiting."
My first instinct is to protest but I know I won’t be able to focus if she's in my office. "Okay, I only need fifteen minutes and then we can go."
I hate to leave her with nothing to do but I really do need to get stuff done. Besides, how much trouble can she get into in fifteen minutes?
With a nod of thanks to Reed, I walk back to my office. As soon as the door closes I hear, "Okay, now we can get to the fun stuff. You can show me how to hotwire a car!"
And I can't keep the smile off my face.
chapter twelve
SASHA
Monday morning, I move back and survey the table that I've just assembled. After the initial suggestions Gabe had given me about reducing my budget, I'd been confident enough to start ordering furniture. Keeping costs under control is really important but I couldn't resist splurging on a few things. The scarred wood tables invoke the look of an old school speakeasy. They look so good that I dance a little jig.
"Performing already?"
At the sound of the amused voice behind me, I halt mid-booty shake. Busted, I turn around slowly to see Gabe standing in the doorway behind me holding a large brown paper bag.
"I totally knew you were there."
He snorts. "Right. I brought you lunch but please don't let me interrupt you. I was enjoying the view."
Coyly, I give a little shimmy and dance my way over to him seductively. Gratified at the slack-jawed expression on his face, I snatch the bag from his hand.