Page 8 of Old Habits

Chapter 3

Will

“You’re all set, Mrs. Clark,” I say, setting her keys on the counter between us.

She grabs them with an old, wrinkled hand and grins at me. “Thank you, William. Have I mentioned that you’re my favorite grease monkey?”

“Only every time you come in here.”

“Oh, good! Because you are.”

I smile. “Thank you. Remember what I told you about riding your brakes, all right?”

She leans in. “Remind me again...”

“Don’t.”

“Oh, that’s right! I’ll try and remember that, dear.” She turns to leave but pauses with her hand on the counter. “William, you’re still single, right?”

“Uhh... yes,” I answer slowly.

Her eyes twinkle. “Have you met my granddaughter, Lillian? I think you’d like her...”

I shake my head but try to maintain my polite smile. “I’m sure I would, Mrs. Clark, but I’m not really looking to date anyone right now...”

“Well, you let me know the second that changes. I’ll set you up!”

“Okay.” I chuckle awkwardly. “Have a nice day!”

She pushes the door open and slowly walks out, taking her time while my smile tests my face muscles.

Once she’s gone, I let it fall. “Okay, what is going on here?”

Tucker glances up from his paperwork at the other end of the counter. “What do you mean?”

“That is the third woman today to say something like that to me.”

“You’re complaining?”

“I’m concerned.”

“Why?” he asks. “You’re a handsome, eligible bachelor with pretty eyes and a tight tushie. Take the compliment.”

I stare at him until he finally looks up. “Make that four women.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” he mutters. “You’re probably just imagining it.”

“Maybe.”

The entry bell rings and I smile at the one woman in town who will never hit on me. “Hey, Sara.”

My sister walks over and lays her keys on the counter. “It’s doing that thing again.”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“I don’t know...” She sighs. “It’s making that rattling sound between the back tires and I just don’t have time to deal with this kind of crap right now.”

I sense her frustration. “All right, we’ll check it out. Everything else okay?”

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