Finally, he stops at an autobody shop at the corner of the street.
Panting, I pause too.
That’s when I realize the clothes he’s wearing. A dark gray overall – a uniform.
Why’s he wearing a uniform?
Slowly, I move forward, taking everything in. There’s an office space with a board on top, saying Blue Dot Auto Body Inc. Right next to it is a large shed-like area with a few cars parked inside, along with a couple of bikes.
Zach stops by a guy who’s drinking coffee, as he chats with him. He’s wearing the same uniform as Zach.
Breathing in noisily, I watch them together. Until the guy spies me and alerts Zach of my presence.
He spins around, and immediately there’s a frown on his face. “Blue?” He excuses himself from the guy and walks over to me. “What’re you doing here? Is everything okay?”
There’s a logo on the right side of his chest, spelling the name of the shop. “You didn’t come to the diner.”
“Yeah.” He scratches his forehead with his thumb. “I got held up here all day yesterday. Apparently, they’re slammed. A guy left and they didn’t have back-up.”
I simply blink up at him, at his explanation.
“But I was gonna show up for lunch today,” he finishes, watching me carefully.
“I thought something happened to you. I-I was worried.”
Zach smiles slightly. “I’m fine, Blue. Just working.”
I look at the shop once again. The guy talking to Zach has left. It seems we’re the only two people here right now.
Looking back at him, I ask, “You’re working here?”
He chuckles. “That’s what I said.”
“Why?”
“Well, I figured I’m good with bikes. And they seemed really desperate. So why not. Besides, it comes with an apartment.”
“Apartment?”
“Yeah. Up there, actually.” He tips with his chin and I turn around to see an apartment on the second floor, across the street. There’s a little coffee place downstairs.
“I was thinking,” he goes on and I face him. “You could crash with me. The apartment is plenty big. I could take the couch.”
“You’ll take the couch.”
“Yeah. It’s a futon. It rolls out. It’s gotta be better than the bed and breakfast that you’re staying at and —”
“Stop talking,” I tell him, finally coming out of my stupor.
Zach frowns like he’s so confused.
He’s confused? I am fucking reeling here.
Reeling.
“What are you doing?” I ask with gritted teeth.
“What do you mean?”