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No wonder his mood had been off last night. He probably wanted to let me down easy about brunch, but one thing led to another and words were very limited after that.
“I have to go,” I said.
“Yeah, I’m surprised you’re still here. I thought you had to work.”
Well, yeah, but first I must fix whatever problem you just created between Richard and me.
“I have a lot to do.” I grabbed my purse to head out and said, “Lizzy, thanks again for letting me use your place.
“That’s what a BFF does.”
“I promise I’ll tell him today. Also, I put the sheets in the wash,” I said. “That’s what a BFF does.”
Lizzy laughed. “Good thing we’re friends, because I’m not sure if anyone else could put up with us.”
That’s the truth.
When I got outside, I sent Richard a quick text.
GOOD MORNING. DO YOU HAVE TIME TO TALK?
I knew he started his days early, but a few minutes went by and I got no response. I didn’t want to panic and think that he was avoiding me. I could think of a million reasons he couldn’t answer. Even I don’t always reply immediately.
There was nothing I could do until he decided to reach out to me. Then, I’d just be honest and explain that I was embarrassed about my tiny shoebox of an apartment, so I lied. That was really not good. He would just wonder what else I might not have been totally truthful about. I wouldn’t be able to blame him if he decided not to speak to me again.
My heart was heavy with the different scenarios I could imagine, none of them good. Why couldn’t this be simple? Why did I lie in the first place?
I knew why - because I figured this would be a one-and-done. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Richard would actually be interested in me. But now I understood that we connected in ways I could never have imagined. Then again, everything had been moving so fast with us. Maybe that was a sign that it wasn’t as real as it seemed.
Right before I pulled my car from the curb, my phone dinged.
SORRY. CAN’T TALK RIGHT NOW. I’LL CALL YOU TONIGHT.
That didn’t ease my mind one bit. If anything, it made me worry even more. Whatever is bothering him, please don’t let it be me.
I couldn’t afford to spend my entire day pondering over it all. I had too much to do and time was running out. If I don’t work, I won’t be able to afford even that shoebox apartment. That really won’t impress Richard or help me start college.
When I got home from Lizzy’s, I climbed directly into my tow truck and immediately my phone rang. But the call came in while I was trying to switch it to Bluetooth. I couldn’t connect fast enough and the caller went to voicemail. Although Richard said we wouldn’t talk until tonight, that didn’t stop me from hoping it was him calling.
I looked at the caller ID and had no idea why the body shop would be calling me. I hit Play. “Joyelle, it’s Deno. Give me a call. We’ve got a huge problem.”
In all the years I’d known Deno, I couldn’t recall him ever having an issue repairing a vehicle before. The only difference I could imagine was the cost and that was only because it was a Ferrari. Richard hadn’t seemed troubled about it. Whatever it is, I don’t want to be in the middle of it. I brought the Ferrari to Deno’s because I trust him.
I called Deno back to let him know he should be calling Richard. But he answered on the first ring and instantly blurted, “This is a mess, and I’m not sure what to do.”
It wasn’t like him to doubt his abilities, but we all need a pat on the back occasionally.
“You can fix anything,” I said. “At least, that’s what your business card says,” I said, hoping that would help.
“Ha. Can’t fix a stolen vehicle, can I?”
Shit.“It’s…gone?” I had no idea how I was going to explain this to Richard. It really wasn’t my fault, but I was the one who recommended Deno.
“No. I’m not an idiot. A car like that ain’t leaving my garage. But once I call the police, it’s a different story,” he stated firmly.
“Police? Why?”
“Because you told me the owner was Richard Heart. When I spoke to him for payment, he confirmed that is his name.”
