Page 9 of The Charm of You

“Isn’t that what you said last month?”

He scribbles something down on his clipboard. If I had to guess, he’s making a note to get a new AC unit because he forgot until this very moment. “I said next week,” he insists.

I wipe my brow with a relatively clean corner of a rag and grab a set of keys from the stool next to us. “Are these Mary’s? Remember the last time you took them by mistake, and she couldn’t get back in the house?”

“I let her in myself… eventually.”

“She said she banged on the door for twenty minutes, and the neighbor called the police. When they finally got inside, you were asleep in the back yard.”

“What a good nap it was too.” He sighs dreamily like he’s ten years old again and just drank his first root beer float. It’s still his favorite treat, which his wife, Mary, now forbids on account of his high blood pressure and diabetes.

I sneak him one every now and then, though. Call it a soft spot for the old bastard, but I refuse to stand idly by as he misses out on the best things in life. Not while he can still enjoy them.

I move toward the open garage door and bask in the fall breeze for a minute. By next week, we won’t even need the new AC, but it won’t stop me from giving Judd hell just for the fun of it.

“You can go on home now,” Judd croaks from behind me. “It’s Friday, and we’re ahead on the load. You deserve to get out of here early.”

I cock a brow, surprised he’s aware that we are, in fact, ahead of schedule. He’s been locked in his office for most of the afternoon, drawing up invoices and working on payroll.

“Good work today, son.”

“Son? I knew we were close, Judd, you old softie.” I snort as I close the garage door. He only calls me “son” once in a blue moon.

“Who are you again?” He scratches his head, and an amused glimmer bounces in his eye.

I shake my head at the ornery man. “Need anything before I go?”

“Nah. Mary will be here any minute.”

I approach him delicately. “Um, Judd?” I pause for him to put it together himself. It pains me to do it for him, but when he doesn’t, I joke instead, “It’s going to be hard for Mary to drive here without her keys.” I nod toward his belt loop, where the shining set I handed him a minute ago now dangles.

“Damn!” The deep lines around his frown droop with age and a hint of embarrassment. “Give me a lift, will ya?”

“Sure, but only if you keep this to yourself. I have a reputation to uphold, and it doesn’t involve being nice to old-timers.”

“It would be best if you didn’t talk anymore. You’ve been yapping nonstop today,” he tosses back.

It’s been like this between us since I graffitied his auto shop as a teenager.

It was my one attempt at rebellion when my mom and I first moved to Sapphire Creek, and the guilt ate at me long after Judd forgave me. In fact, he did me one better and offered me a job.

He’d seen potential in me back then, and instead of calling the cops, he made me power wash the building and put me to work, teaching me everything he knew about cars.

I’ve stayed around ever since.

Rose left after lunch, opting to join a few of the other local girls for the Friday happy hour at the Tap, so once we turn the lights out, Judd and I pile into my truck and pull onto the road.

I chance a glimpse at Lucy’s Diner across the street, where Keely waitresses. I spot her through the window, her shirt unbuttoned just enough for a quick peek at her cleavage, and disappointment courses through me.

What she and I had was fun, easy, and predictable. It was fucking awesome not to have to worry about doing the romantic shit. There was no drama or clingy antics.

We never discussed the future, and I thought we were both fine with it.

Last night, she told me she’s met someone she could see herself ending up with and that she doesn’t want a distraction anymore.

She called me a damn distraction. Fantastic.

“Eyes on the road, dumbass!” Judd bursts from the passenger seat. “You trying to kill me? Next time, I’m calling Rose to take me home.”

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