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Gia’s lips turned downward. “Frankly, it’s not good for business. I need to know that you’ll arrive on time. The couples depend on us to make their dreams a reality. We don’t want to get a reputation for flowers not showing up on time. I worry about these things so that prospective brides don’t have to.”
I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what was at stake. “I understand. I’ll make sure she’s ready to go.”
Gia nodded tightly before she rounded the desk and sat in her chair. She turned to our calendar for the next month, going over the details we’d confirmed many times before. Gia was nothing if not thorough.
The meeting wrapped up shortly, and I rushed from the meeting, needing to see Berta for myself.
Outside the building, I called for a driver since my only means of transportation was Berta and an old bike I kept at grandma’s when I visited her over the summers. Jake’s garage was located on the edge of the town’s historic area.
He and his friend Ryan had taken over another garage that went out of business. They’d painted and restored the old building, but it looked much the same as I imagined it had twenty years ago. White walls, a gently sloping roof, and blue lettering declaring itHarbor Garage Repair & Service Center.
My baby was parked on the side of the building, looking forlorn and abandoned. I walked around it and inspected it for any damage. The problem was she looked exactly the same as the day Jake towed her away.
My stomach sank. What if Jake and Ryan hadn’t worked on it? How long could I go without a reliable vehicle to make my deliveries?
“Can I help you?” A voice came from behind me.
I wrapped my arms around myself before I turned. “This is my van. I was hoping someone could tell me whether she’s been fixed or not.”
As the man raised a brow, I noted his nametag, which readRyan. “Jake normally calls before he handles any repairs to get the owner’s approval.”
My shoulders lowered. “He hasn’t called.”
Ryan nodded. “He probably hasn’t had a chance to look at it. We’ve been busy.”
His words felt a lot like a dismissal.
“I don’t think you understand.” I gestured at Berta. “This is my only means of transportation, and I run a flower business. I need to transport my flowers, or I can’t work.”
I tried to keep the desperation out of my voice and Gia’s concern out of my head, but I couldn’t. I needed Berta, or my dream wouldn’t get off the ground. I felt panic in the depths of my soul.
Ryan tipped his head to the side and said carefully, “I’m not sure Jake realized it was a rush job.”
I hurried to keep up with him as he strode toward the open bay, worried what a rush job would cost. “I wouldn’t say it’s a rush job. It’s just important she be fixed quickly.”
When he stopped in front of booted feet protruding from under a white Mustang, I straightened, drawing up to my full five-foot-two height.
Ryan cleared his throat, and the person under the car pushed out from under it.
“What’s up?” the man asked gruffly as he stood. His hands held a metal tool of some sort and his hands were greasy.
“This woman,” Ryan threw a thumb in my direction, “wanted to check on the van. You know, the blue one?”
From his tone, I suspected they’d discussed my van at length. I wondered if Jake had complained about me and my stubborn refusal to let him junk her.
“It’s Lily,” I said.
Jake smirked and extended his greasy-stained hand to me. “Jake. Nice to see you again.”
It felt like a test—one I’d surely fail if I didn’t enclose my hand in his. I felt a jolt when his calloused palm touched mine. My cheeks heated as tingles spread from the place our hands were joined up to my forearm into my elbow.
“You, too.” Needing to sever the connection, I pulled away first.
“You want to talk about that old van outside.” He was already moving through the open bay.
Fury flowed through my body, hot and fast, as tears pricked my eyes. As I followed him slowly, I sifted through possible responses before settling on the truth as he stopped in front of Berta. “My grandmother died last year. She left me her farm, this van, and strict instructions to follow my dreams. So I don’t consider Berta old, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t describe her that way. She’s an antique.”
During my speech, Jake’s gaze moved from the van to me.
