Page 19 of The Mechanic's Secret Santa

More than anything, I’m mad at myself.

Because maybe the man is right. Maybe I should be honest with Mom. How fair is it that I’m hoping she’ll sign over the deed without knowing the full extent of my plans? It’s still technically her bakery. She has a right to know.

“Meg?”

The sight of Mom holding up my coat is all it takes for those unshed tears to unleash. She helps me into my coat and then wraps me in the hug I was hoping for on the first day of her visit. I didn’t know how badly I’ve needed it.

“I know everything, Meg.”

“Well, you donow.”

“No,” she chuckles, as if I’m still her cute little girl in pigtails. “I already knew. Becky Sue told me everything.”

“What?” I gasp.

“Meg, she’s my oldest and dearest friend. I asked her to look after you. Do you really think I didn’t know about the expansion you were planning weeks ago?”

“But you were surprised about the oven?—”

“Hearing about it and seeing it are two different things.”

“You weren’t happy, though.”

“Change can be hard to accept, even when it’sgoodchange.”

“I suppose you know my relationship with Aaron is fake.”

“Is it though?”

The wordyesis lodged in my throat, trapped like the lie it is. The truth is, I never wanted it to be fake. I was always just afraid. And with that job offer from Benson Motorsports—I don’t have to be NASCAR fan to know that household name—he’d be a fool to turn it down. But I don’t know where that leaves us.

“When you two sort this out, I’ll be upstairs. I think you’ll really like your Christmas present this year.” Mom hugs me once more. “Spoiler alert: It’s a deed. I think your expansion plan is exciting. I support you completely.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do.” Mom nods at Aaron who’s standing a few paces back on the snow-dusted sidewalk, holding a pair of red gloves. “He’s a good one, Meg. You should hear him out.”

Aaron waits until Mom disappears inside before approaching me. “I was never going to take the job,” he admits, handing me the gloves.

“But it’s Benson Motorsports.”

“A year or two ago, I would’ve taken it.”

“But now?” I stare at the gloves as I slip them on, afraid to meet his gaze.

“But now I want more.”

“You can’t meanme.”

“And why not?” He’s standing toe-to-toe with me, his body heat radiating in my direction. All I want is to crawl inside that open coat and wrap my arms around him. Stupid me. I’ve gone and fallen in love with him.

“Because in a year or two, you’ll realize you’re bored with this small town life. You’ll resent me for holding you back. And Aaron, I’m not leaving. Maybe I want to expand my business, but only if operations stay located solely in Alpine Valley. This is my home.”

“Did I ever tellhowI ended up here?” When his arms wrap around my shoulders, I don’t shrug him off.

“No.”

“A buddy of mine kept talking about this town he used to visit as a kid. Couldn’t shut up about it. Turns out, he had an uncle who ran an auto repair shop and was looking for a mechanic he could eventually hand over the business to. I’m tired of being constantly on the go. Of sleeping in a different hotel every night for weeks on end. I came to Alpine Valley to put down roots.” He cups my cheek. “That wasbeforeI saw this sexy baker and fell head over heels.”

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