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I hand him the box and watch him read the label. My eyes take in a couple of grease spots on his hands and how his polo is starting to stick in places from sweat. He pulled off his coveralls at some point and never put them back on.
“They must have had to order it. These should be the sensors we need to get your car going.”
Startled from my fascinating inspection of his shirt, my eyes pop back up to his face to see if I got caught gawking. Thankfully I think I’ve gotten away with it. I missed the last thing he said, though, so I smile and nod encouragingly, hoping he’ll keep talking.
“I’m not going to be able to work on it today, but I think I might have some time tomorrow to at least get started.”
Oh right, my car. As much as I would love to have it back, I have to admit I look forward to the quiet times when Matt drives me around. He looks up, probably checking to see if I’m okay since I’ve lost my ability to speak. Damn humidity. And tight shirts.
“I can check.” I hear the chime for the door. “On the scheduling, I mean.” I’m flustered and feel the need to flee, so I hurry back inside to help the newest customer. After I reach the safety of the register, I try to breathe, but it feels like the heat from the garage followed me inside.
Unlike most people who have come in today, this customer doesn’t stop to chitchat. He simply finds what he needs and comes to the register. I’m not entirely sure my brain would function enough for me to help him if he needed something, so I sigh in relief.
“Find everything alright?”
He’s older and looks like he knows his way around a handy project, judging by the paint stains and dirt on his pants.
“Yep. Nice shop you have here.”
“Thanks. First time visiting?”
“Yep, brought the family up for a couple weeks of vacation while I work on a property up north.”
I smile brightly, partly at him and partly because I’ve successfully identified him as someone not from around here. It makes me feel like I belong.
“Well, enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.”
After he leaves, a steady string of customers keeps me busy until it’s time to close for the day. I check the calendar for a spare block of time tomorrow and see that there are no appointments after three o’clock. From what he told me, it probably won’t be enough time to finish installing the new parts, but he might be able to get started.
Going through the routine I saw Matt do yesterday, I close down the store, gather my things, and meet him in the garage.
He’s just ushering out his last customer with a wave when he sees me and smiles. It warms his whole face, and I can’t help the zing of pleasure that darts around my stomach. That pesky heat from earlier is back, and goosebumps dance across my skin.
“In a bit of a hurry?” He’s teasing. I can tell now when he’s joking and when he’s serious. It’s amazing how quickly I feel like I know him.
“I just don’t want to burden Al and Annie too much. He’s cute and all, but he’s still a cat.”
“I suppose. Have you thought of a name yet?”
I get distracted watching him pull off the coveralls tied around his waist. He must have put them on for one of his last appointments. It’s probably also why his shirt is soaked through with sweat and clinging to the lines of muscle in his chest and arms.
“Not yet. I’m being a little indecisive.”
He approaches where I stand next to the sink, and for a minute, a fantasy of him boxing me in and kissing me flashes through my mind. My breath stutters as he gets closer, but he just reaches past me for a pump of the grease-busting soap, drawing my attention to his strong hand and forearms.
“What are your favorites so far?”
The orange scent of the soap fills the garage, and I’m completely distracted watching him slide his fingers between one another. My addled brain conjures up an image of him sliding his fingers through mine and running them up my arm, short-circuiting my brain.
“What?” I say dumbly, feeling stupid for losing my train of thought again.
“Names,” he prompts. “For the cat.”
“Oh. Yes. Names.” I squeeze my eyes shut, but now I’m focused on the scent of him. “Ever since Annie said it, Cat has been stuck in my head.”
“It’d be kind of like calling a dog Dog.”
