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I nodded. "Motorcycles have to be serviced more than cars since they take more wear and tear and are more dangerous," I said, taking a deep breath. I'd explained this on the second day when she'd asked why there were so many duplicate bits of paper under repeated surnames.
"I'm aware," she said, not unkindly. "What I meant was that as erratic as the paperwork mountain was, I've managed to find his previous invoices. And Mr. Jefferson is right. Despite making sure I had everything listed, his latest invoice is down by a third."
I placed one of my ankles on my thigh. "That's odd." What the fuck had Clint done?
"Yeah, I agree with you, but like I said, I quadruple-checked." She glanced at me as though she expected me to be angry or possibly accuse her of something.
Perhaps if it was anyone else, I would've had doubts about what she said. But I'd watched Lux over the last two weeks. The woman was efficient, thorough, and beyond exceptional at her job. Hell, I'd thought more than once about somehow buying out Clint and keeping her on. Still, since the bill was down by a third, which was a lot of money, I felt obligated to at least look it over.
"Mind if I have a peek at the invoices?" I asked.
"Not at all." She picked them up and placed them in my outstretched hand.
I went through them, starting with the oldest—the invoice Clint had created—and then checked the next, and finally the one she'd done. Everything I'd done the previous two times was listed exactly as it was on the most recent bill. "So, what are you thinking? I asked. I knew what I was thinking but wanted to hear her opinion.
She shook her head. "I don't know," she said.
"Yes, you do. Tell me." I leaned forward and brushed her hand. "I want to know."
Fear flickered in her eyes. "Maybe Clint overcharged your clients." She shrugged. "Either way, you've got a happy customer today." Then she paused. "I'd like to verify a few things. Are any of the other bikes this week returning customers?"
I thought about it. “Eloise, Jessica, and Marge.”
"Marge? Some man has named his bike Marge. Poor bike." Lux chuckled softly.
I joined in as I stood. Came around the desk and touched her shoulder. Then leaned down to kiss the top of her head. Her hair smelled of apples. "To each their own."
"Very true." She opened a new file on the computer. "If you give me the client's surnames, I'll look them up."
My phone rang in my pocket, and I hooked it out of my oil-splattered jeans. "It's Clint." My stomach sank.
Lux's body stiffened. "At least he's coming back to a clean office."
TWENTY-TWO
There Isn’t a Choice
RUSH
Fuck,what was Clint going to say? I wasn't ready for him to return. Lux had made this crazy venture of mine so much better. More than once, I'd thought of calling my dad to brag. Say, 'hey, come and look at what I achieved.' My parents weren't bad people. They just hadn't been excited by a mechanic for a son.
I turned from Lux and answered the phone. As I suspected, Clint was ready to get out of the hospital and asked if I'd give him a ride. Quickly I arranged to go and meet him. When I hung up, I turned to Lux. "It was Clint. He needs a ride home. Think you can hold down the fort while I'm gone?" When I talked like that, I sounded like an old man, but it was just part of my personality.
"Of course." She bit her lip. "Maybe, don't say anything to him about the invoice yet. I'll look while I'm gone and see if I can leave you some more information."
I'd already forgotten about the invoice, which probably explained why I needed someone to run my office for me. I'd been right to trust Clint, though, hadn't I?
"Sure thing. I'll be back in an hour. Want me to pick up some lunch?"
"Actually, I might pop home for lunch, if that's alright." She glanced down at her hands before looking back at me.
"Oh." I tried to read her face, but it was carefully closed. "Sure. I'll see you this afternoon?"
"Yes." She smiled. Stood and wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me. "Thank you for trusting me, Rush."
I hugged her back, forcing myself not to squeeze too tight. We'd been together every day for two weeks, and I already couldn't imagine my life without her. "Thank you."
She searched my face, and I kissed her, pouring all my feelings for her into the kiss. I wanted her to know how much I cared. She pressed open my mouth, tangling her tongue with mine as she pressed her body against me. Immediately, I got a hard-on and wanted her. But I had to fucking get Clint. I pulled back. "Think we can pick this up later?"
