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“What?”

He shines his flashlight toward the belt. “Take a look at that.”

I move beside him and follow the beam of light. Deep cracks run along the serpentine belt, and one edge has started to fray.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter.

“Exactly what Mary’s going to say when she gets the bill,” Knox replies with a grin.

“She’ll blame us.”

“She always blames us.”

I reach down and press my thumb against the worn rubber. “Good thing she brought it in when she did. That thing wouldn’t have lasted another week.”

“We’ve got a replacement out back,” Knox says, straightening. “Want me to grab it?”

“Yeah. We may as well do both while we’ve got her here.”

Knox wipes his hands on a rag but doesn’t move toward the storeroom. Instead, he leans against the side of the Chevy and looks at me.

“You up for a drink at The Breakwater tonight?” he asks. “Supposed to be a new girl starting.”

“Is that why you want to go?”

“Supporting local business is important, Dean.”

“You’re a pillar of the community.”

“Exactly.” Knox tosses the rag onto the workbench. “So, are you coming?”

“Maybe. Pen’s with my parents until around seven.”

“Fuck yes.” He claps his hands together. “You need to get laid.”

“I’m satisfied enough, thanks,” I grunt, returning my attention to the alternator.

Knox scoffs as he heads toward the storeroom.

Sex isn’t the problem. It’s everything that comes after. God knows I couldn’t sleep with anyone from this town. I know practically everyone in Hartwell, and Hartwell isn’t big enough to avoid someone once things turn awkward.

Knox returns with the new belt, and we get back to work. By the time the alternator is fitted, the belt replaced and the battery tested, more than an hour has passed.

I start the engine and listen carefully.

No whining. No rattling. No warning light glaring at me from the dash.

“Sounds good,” Knox says from beneath the open hood.

“For now.”

He laughs. “You think she’ll make it a full month before Mary brings her back?”

“Two weeks.”

“Optimistic.”

I shut the engine off and wipe the grease from my hands before heading toward reception.