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“Wait.” He looked nervous, rubbing the back of his neck. “You want to get some coffee or lunch tomorrow?”
“I’m your employee now. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“It’s just coffee or a sandwich; that’s all.”
I couldn’t help but smile, feeling giddy inside. “Sure, okay.”
I was so nervous the next morning. The only thing that helped me calm my nerves was riding my Sporty again. The vibration and thunder of the pipes, the feel of the bike as I twisted the throttle felt so familiar to me. It was so good to have her back again.
I spent most of the morning surfing the internet on the computer, deep in thought with promotional ideas, ways to attract customers to Hardcore Cycles. By noon, Torque and I walked to a local sandwich shop only a few blocks away. He was professional as we talked as employer to employee. But I struggled to concentrate on listening to him talk as I looked into his hazel brown eyes, and his male scent made my pulse race.
We sat and ate lunch together at a small table as I opened the conversation, wanting to know all I could about him. “So how long have you been in business with Hardcore Cycles?”
“I started from the ground up. I loved tinkering with motorcycles since I was a kid. My old man was a member of a club back in the day called Iron Bastards MC, so I was around it all my life. I took a bike mechanics course down in Florida and then signed a lease on that garage and opened up my business. A few years later, I bought the property, so it’s all mine now. Business has always been good, and I know every club and anyone who rides on two wheels in the surrounding counties.”
I smiled, swallowing a bite of my ham and cheese sandwich, “Well you didn’t know me, and I ride on two wheels.”
“Yes, true. You sure did catch me by surprise that day you came pulling into my shop wearing those skimpy-ass shorts!”
I laughed. “I like to wear revealing clothes when I ride, along with my loud pipes. Gets me noticed by others on the road.”
“You can say that again!”
“Thanks again for giving me this job, Torque. And fixing up my bike.”
“Even though Kacy can be annoying at times, are you liking it?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve been doing some research, wanting to find ways to help market and brand your shop. Maybe do some events, like a bikini bike wash or a weekend event. Have a local band play, have some vendors set up, sell hot dogs, sodas. Make like a mini biker weekend event. I can look into creating a logo for Hardcore Cycles too. Make it look mean—”
Torque’s brows lifted as he swallowed down a bite of his sandwich. “Are you a mind reader?” His shocked look was boyish in a way.
“Uh. No. Why?”
“That’s the name of my future business—Mean Machines—I want to start building my own custom bikes!”
Just when I thought I found the best job, Torque was about to rain on my parade… “Really? But what about Hardcore Cycles?”
“Hardcore Cycles is my baby. I’m not selling the business, I’m keeping it. I want to open Mean Machines next year. But I need someone I can trust, someone who can help me manage Hardcore Cycles while I work on starting up Mean Machines.”
Suddenly, I became anxious because I was the type to rush and conclude the worst. Dealing with anxiety that swam in my stomach the past few months was exhausting and wore me down. All because of Wayde. I pushed away all my emotions trying to build a callous tough skin.
I wiped my hands with my napkin and stood up from the table. “Maybe you should have told me this before you hired me on the spot!” There were only a few customers in the shop, but all heads turned in my direction, and my cheeks felt warm. I turned, aiming to stomp out the door.
Torque stood suddenly and took hold of my wrist. “Wait! You think I’m firing you?”
I looked into his hazel brown eyes, my throat dry. “You just said you’re looking for someone you can trust to manage Hardcore Cycles!”
“That someone is you, Ronnie!” He let go of my wrist. “Now sit back down with me and finish your lunch.”
I huffed, still feeling the warmth creeping up my chest to my cheeks and sat down. “I sometimes rush to assume the worst.”
Torque reached over, placing his big hand over mine like he had at the Cantina. “I don’t want to rush anything. I just like to see what’s ahead of me. I see Mean Machines. And I see you.”
Chapter 5
Torque
Iusuallywentwithmy gut when it came to important decisions in life, and hiring Ronnie was one of the best decisions I’d made. She worked with a marketing company creating a new hot logo for Hardcore Cycles. She promoted my business with a new sign that hung above the front entrance outside and stocked the shop with printed T-shirts, and other things to attract customers to come in and take a look around.
