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“It’ll only be until I’ve found a new job,” Eve warned. There were many reasons why she hadn’t joined the family business before. The first was that she knew practically nothing about cars. The second was that she wanted to earn her way in life, not just be handed things on a silver platter.
Three
Charlie
* * *
Charlie arrived at the garage with her hands deep in the pockets of her coat. It was getting colder and colder every day, which meant they could definitely expect an uptick in car repairs from accidents.
She pushed into reception, surprised to find an unknown woman sitting at the front desk.
“Umm… Hello?” Charlie said, confused.
The woman looked up and gave her a smile that felt practised and polite. “Goodmorning. I’m Eve.”
“Oh. You’re Jack’s sister,” Charlie realised, her gaze travelling up and down the newcomer. Over the years, she had built up an image in her head from all the stories she’d heard about Eve but she wasn’t sure if that image matched up with the woman in front of her.
Eve didn’t look like a mechanic’s daughter. She was pretty, too pretty actually. Her piercing grey eyes had been highlighted with eyeliner to make them stand out and her lips were tinted with a dark red stain. Her blue suit looked expensive and new, which was very different from the casual attire everyone wore around the garage.
She stood out and not in a good way, Charlie thought. She couldn’t help but wonder who Eve was trying to impress.
When she realised she’d been staring, she cleared her throat. “I’m Charlie, by the way.”
“I assumed as much. Dad said there was only one woman working here,” Eve said while she got up from the desk. She held out her hand, her perfectly manicured fingernails revealing she’d lived a very cushy life that didn’t involve any manual labour. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Charlie said dryly, only shaking quickly. She had no personal issues with Eve but her loyalties were definitely with Jack who’d suffered a lot over the years from being the black sheep in his family. Knowing all that, she wasn’t going to buddy up to his golden sister.
She continued on to the garage where Jack was angrily tidying his box of tools.
“You alright there?” Charlie asked as she joined him on the bench. She’d anticipated finding him in a bad state but he seemed angrier than expected.
“Couldn’t be better,” Jack grumbled, his jaw tense. “Do you know what my dad said this morning?”
“Tell me.”
“He said he might change the name from Artos Auto Services to Artos & Kin Auto Services.” Jack tossed his wrench onto the pile. “Can you believe that? I’ve worked here since I was sixteen. Eve hasn’t even been here a full day and suddenly, he’s thinking of updating the name?”
Charlie’s gaze went to the reception where she could see Eve sitting through the large windows. “Wow, that’s some blatant preferential treatment.”
“I know. Why do I even bother working here? I should quit and find another garage.”
“Aw, don’t do that. I’d miss your ugly mug.”
“You could come with me,” Jack pointed out. “I know, you and I should start our own garage. We could do a good job running it together, couldn’t we?”
“You, me, and what money?” Charlie laughed.
“Fair point.”
She patted her friend on the shoulder. “Cheer up. You said she’s only here until she finds a new job, right? So you only have to put up with her for a little while.”
Jack tipped out the dust from his toolbox. “Yeah, which can’t be soon enough.”
“Well, whatever happens, I’m in your corner.”
“Thanks, you’re a good friend. Let’s just hope she finds a job soon and pisses off.”
Charlie found herself looking at Eve again. It was a little ironic. If they’d met somewhere else, like a bar or pub perhaps, Charlie would’ve been all over someone like Eve. However, seeing her all made-up and elegant like this in a grimy garage was a big turn-off. It was like she couldn’t read the room or was trying too hard.
