Page 31 of Beyond Expectations

About twenty minutes later, my phone rang, and it was Roman video-calling me. Despite his shitty behavior the previous night, he was still my brother, and I loved him. Knowing he was most likely super hungover, I plastered the biggest smile on my face and answered loudly.

“Aww, are you a little hungover?”

“Don’t tease him,” Dad muttered as he walked past me to the tool shelf, but the grin on his face gave away his own amusement.

“Sorry, Ro. How are you feeling?”

“I’ll survive. I’m starving, but I’m not sure eating right now is the best of ideas.”

I felt sorry for Roman. I saw the sorrow on his face. It wasn’t just the effects of a hangover. He felt lost, and last night’s outburst proved it.

“I just wanted to call to say I’m sorry for last night. I didn’t mean to upset you both. I guess I still have some stuff to sort through. Anyways, sorry, and thanks for filling in for me today.”

“No worries. Besides, Dad seemed eager for me to help today, anyway. Maybe he’s finally realized just how amazing I am and how lucky he would be to have me work here instead,” I ribbed.

There was nothing ladylike in the cackle that left me.

“Mmh yeah, course that’s the reason why.”

There was something slightly unnerving in the glint of Roman’s eyes, and I was just about to ask him what he was grinning about when he hurriedly said his goodbyes before hanging up.

Instead of trying to make sense of Roman’s weird hungover behavior, I went back to work and focused on getting the cars cleared as quickly as possible.

I’d managed to get through five of the eight cars needing to be cleaned when I decided to take a break and head over to the cooler in front of the office to grab an icy cold bottle of water. Enjoying the cool down, I rubbed the cold bottle across my head, neck, and chest, desperately trying to cool myself down from this muggy heat. Downing the last of my water, I felt relieved. Taking my hairband out of my pocket, I put my mane up and out of the way. Singing along to the track’s final verse, I started backing up, returning to the cars, when I bumped into someone. As I turned around, apologizing, expecting to see my dad standing behind me, I froze when I saw Rhett.

Standing right in front of me.

What the hell was he doing there? I thought he was still in LA?

He stood there, looking as sure of himself as ever. He had his usual alluring smirk on his face. Yet again, it took me a moment to get my words out.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in California?”

I didn’t mean to sound annoyed, but I was still shocked.

“Well, Serena, I’m here to pick up my car. What else would I be here for? Besides, my meetings ended up wrapping up sooner than expected. And I was keen to get back.”

He spoke with such certainty. It used to be something that grated on me, but now I felt myself responding to it more as if it were an intriguing challenge. I looked around the shop, and low and behold, his Gull-Wing was sitting alongside the other cars, ready for collection. Dad or Roman must have finished it yesterday. I didn’t know why I didn’t put two and two together, and I wanted to kick myself for not realizing sooner that there was a chance I could bump into him there.

“As always, it’s a pleasant surprise to see you here. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get my car and see you again on the same day. I must be a lucky man. Can I also have a bottle of that ice-cold water you so pleasurably enjoyed?”

This time, there was no way for me to be able to hide the blush that was covering my face. Walking over to the cooler, I realized he must have been standing behind me the whole time.

Damn it.

I literally must have looked like some music video wannabe rubbing that damn water bottle over myself and bending over to tie my hair. I wished the ground would swallow me whole right then.

He took the proffered bottle of water. I struggled to keep eye contact with him as I felt like I was ogling him as if he were one of those guys in the old Diet Coke adverts. Flustered, I pulled on my hair tie, more to distract myself from the direction of the thoughts in my mind.

I called for my dad to deal with Rhett and his car and cool the tension between us. I tried returning to work while watching Dad talk with Rhett in the office. But soon enough, I realized that trying to keep myself busy was fruitless. Giving up, I leaned against the car I was meant to be waxing and listened to the conversation between the two.

First, I heard Dad talk about the details of the work. Then, the conversation changed, and I heard my name being mentioned. I felt both embarrassed and intrigued. Dad looked at me with a knowing grin while Rhett talked to him. I didn’t know who I wanted to kick more, me or Dad. Last night, when I told him about my predicament, he knew Rhett would come in today to collect his car. Now, I got why he was so eager for me to come in and cover Roman.

Rhett explained he had met me before, talking about how my company worked with him. I then heard Dad talk proudly about my passion for work and the company I had built up. Hearing my dad talk with such pride filled me with such happiness. With everything we all went through, all I’d ever wanted was for my dad to be genuinely proud of me. I saw Rhett look over, and his face was full of appreciation and respect.

The look surprised me.

“Is Serena required in the garage for the rest of the day, sir?” Rhett asked as Dad rang up his bill.

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