He startled me, and when I jumped, I dropped the plug into the drain pan. Crap! Used engine oil was pouring out, and I’d have to fish the plug out of that mess.
“Jess!”
I growled a little as the plug vanished in the puddle of black ooze. All because someone decided he had to come chit-chat when I was working. “Five minutes!” I shouted back.
I had to wait till the oil was done dripping before I could duck under there. Then I grabbed a hook and a rag and fished around in the pan.There.I pinned it against the side of the pan and just about had it dragged up to the surface when...
“Hello?”
I dropped it again. “Argh!” I bit my lip against the bad-tempered words brewing on my tongue, scrunched my face into a frustrated scowl, then took a deep breath. By the time I climbed out from under the truck and straightened, I hoped I didn’t look like I was trying not to swear.
It was that same guy from a few days ago, Austen Conrad—the one with the tractor. And he was holding a bouquet of crimson and white mums. Good grief, what now?
His eyes widened when I stood up, and his gaze fastened on my cheek. Suddenly self-conscious, I swiped it with the rag in my hand, and it came away black. Of course, I’d have a smear of grease on my face.
“Sorry to bother you,” he said with that same broad smile.
“Oh, it’s no bother,” I lied. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I... here.” He extended the bouquet. “I wanted to thank you for your help the other day.”
I took the flowers hesitantly. “Thank you, but I didn’t really do anything.”
“You took your time to talk to me. That’s something, right?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Right.”
Conrad looped his thumbs in his coat pockets. “And anyway, I’m trying to get to know all the neighbors. Nice to hear recommendations, word-of-mouth type stuff.”
“I guess it would be. But really, you didn’t need to bring flowers. It wasn’t a big deal.” Theywerepretty. Festive and cheerful and creatively arranged with a wintry silver ribbon. I could never turn down flowers, but... why?
“I thought it was a big deal.”
I lifted my eyes slowly. Conrad was staring at my face, still smiling, and he’d come a step closer. And his breathing had gotten a little irregular.
Oh.So that was what it was.
Okay, sure. It was always a little flattering to be noticed that way, and Conrad seemed like a nice enough guy. Definitely not a creep, or at least I didn’t get that impression.
But flowers, the second time we ever talked? This guy was trying way too hard, and in my experience, that never ended well. I wouldn’t go all mushy just because he gave me some Christmas mums, that was for sure. I’d pay attention from now on, but I wasn’t going on any more desperation dates after that pointless dinner with Luke.
“Well, thank you,” I said, trying to sound business-like. “I’ll put these in the break room. We didn’t put any Christmas decorations out, so these will cheer up the place.”
“Great,” he echoed, but his voice was flat. “So, do you work here every day?”
“Nine to five, Monday through Friday.”
“Huh. Interesting job for a...”
“For a girl?” I guessed.
His hands twitched in his coat. “I wasn’t going to say that, but yeah.”
“It pays the bills. When I have work, which I do right now.”
His face was blank for a second, and then he seemed to realize what I meant. “Oh. Right. I should let you get back, then.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I have to have this done before the weekend.” Then, as an afterthought, I pulled off my greasy gloves and put my hand out. “Thanks for the flowers.”