Page 43 of Love in the Wild

“What’s not to like? I do a job, and I get paid. Most people need a job, so I just happened to find one that I also enjoy. Do you like working with Beau?”

Gage shrugged. “I guess I do. I know a lot about mechanics, and if I don’t know what to do, I can figure it out.”

“But do you enjoy it?” Hadley asked.

“I guess I do. I don’t hate it.”

Hadley chuckled and lifted her cup. “To jobs we love.”

Gage picked up his drink and touched it to hers. “What’s in the cup?”

“Sweet tea.”

“Figures,” Gage said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sweet tea was the drink of choice back in Tennessee. Here, she sometimes had to seek out sugar to get the taste of home.

“You’re so bubbly and happy all the time. It’s like you’re made of sweet tea and sunshine.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Does one of your parents' names start with D and end with O-L-L-Y?”

Hadley gasped. “I beg your Parton, but there is nothing wrong with being happy all the time.”

“I guess not.”

“Better than being sad,” she countered.

“Fair enough.”

They were quiet long enough to finish their food, and Hadley brushed her hands off. “Thanks for lunch. It was great. I have to go soon so I can get my oil changed before I get back to work.”

“I can do that,” Gage said.

“Oh, well I didn’t mean to imply you should do it. I was planning to take it to someplace in town.”

Gage gathered up their empty containers and stuffed them in a bag. “No need. I can do it in ten minutes.” He jerked his head toward the garage. “Meet me at the second bay.”

“Um, okay.” Hadley did as she was told and pulled her car around.

Gage propped his hands on her open window, looking down at her with what could have been a slight grin. “Can I get your sticker?”

“Oh, sure.” She peeled the sticker off and handed it to him.

“What’s your mileage?”

She rattled off the number, and he looked back up at her with one brow raised.

“So, you’ve driven exactly three thousand miles since your last oil change?”

“Yeah.”

Gage pressed his lips together, almost smiling. “You’re so responsible.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. I follow the rules because it makes life easier.”

“Does it?”

---