Page 15 of Jep

“You know what I mean.”

Jep grinned. “It is good. You’ve got a talent for this. And you’re getting the work done in good time. Your future customers are going to love that.”

“You bet they will.”

“But can I give you a tip?”

“Sure.”

“Customers don’t like cocky.”

“It’s called confidence.”

“You want to know the difference between cocky and confident?”

“Not really.”

“Too bad. I’m going to tell you anyway.”

Slate rolled his eyes. “Here we go.”

“Confidence can keep to itself. Cocky has to make sure everyone knows.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know. I got it. You don’t want me to show off.”

“Let your work speak for itself, because I can tell you right now. It does.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jep continued around the car, looking for defects.

“So…,” Slate began, tucking his hands into the pockets of his overalls. “I was thinking.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. Moses was telling me how he’d had a job fitting car stereos.”

“On cars he’d stolen?”

“You’re the one who taught me not to ask questions I don’t want the answers to.”

“Ah, so youare listening.”

“I always listen. Anyway, I thought maybe we could diversify.”

“Moses hasn’t come back.”

“He will.”

Jep kept a rein on his grin. If he looked too pleased, Slate would clam up. “How do you know that?”

“I talked to him.”

“Oh, yeah?”

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