Page 26 of Ice Mechanic

“Now’s not a good time,” I say harshly, moving around to the other side of the car.

Rebel flashes me a ‘what’s up with you?’ look and then approaches Chance with one of her killer smiles. “Hey, I’m Rebel, April’s best friend and a mechanic here at The Pink Garage.”

“Hey.” Chance gives her hand a good shake, his eyes darting to me.

I’m tapping on my scanner, trying not to make it obvious that I’m watching him, but inside I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to take areallygood look at Rebel and do what every guy who’s come to our shop does—fall instantly for her.

I need toseethe moment it happens. Because then, I can squash the tiny excitement that sprang to life at the sight of him.

“How did you hear about our shop?” Rebel asks, tucking her long, luscious hair behind her ear.

Any minute now.

“Oh, uh. I picked this up in April’s car.” He unfolds the pink flyer that sailed out of my car. Once again, his gaze darts to me.

Any minute, he’s going to really pay attention to Rebel and bam!

“You were in April’s car yesterday?” My best friend swerves to me, both eyebrows arched in a pointed question.

“She gave me a ride after my car broke down at the stadium.”

“The stadium?” Rebel’s steady tone reminds me of a parent who already knows her child is lying but wants to test how farthey’ll go with it. “And why were you at the stadium yesterday inyourpick-up instead of the company car, April?”

I hurry over to Chance. “Let’s talk outside.”

“Sure.” He seems confused but he lets me prod him out the door.

“Secrets among friends is bad manners!” Rebel yells after me.

“He’s not my friend!” I yell back.

“Ouch,” Chance says. “Did yesterday mean nothing to you?” He slams his fist against his chest in a melodramatic fashion. “Do you offer your passenger seat to every guy who can’t find their engine?”

My lips twitch, but I force myself not to laugh. “Why are you here?”

“To check on you. But I think I can already piece together how well you’re taking this.”

“I know you’re used to it, but for me, all this attention is…”

“Inconvenient?”

“Unwelcome.”

“It’s annoying for sure,” he agrees. “But it sounded like you were angry.”

“Because the rumors aren’t true. Wouldn’t you be angry if the whole world believed a lie?”

His eyes dart away for a second. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

I purse my lips. “You must be even more upset than I am. If you need my statement to clear things up, the answer is yes. I’ll talk to whoever I need to and tell them I am absolutely, positivelynotdating Chance McLanely.”

“Actually…”

“I’d tell them even if you were the last man on earth, it wouldn’t happen.”

He grimaces. “That won’t be…”

“I’d tell them you and I have nothing in common and that we find it offensive to be associated together. I’m sure they’d back off.”

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