Page 39 of Building What's Meant to Be

But not like this. There’s a certain intensity in his blue eyes like he’s waiting for me...or has been waiting for me.

Or perhaps it’s the other way around.

After a beat, he opens the car door and says, “Come on. We should head in. I bet Willy wants to get home on time for supper.”

I follow Aiden intoWilly’s Wrecker and Auto Service.

It’s exactly how they portray places like this in the movies. A few metal chairs with cracked vinyl seats. Blinds with bent slats. A calendar on the wall with the car of the month. The smell of grease is strong and stains most surfaces.

“Hey, Willy!” Aiden says with a smile. “Wasn’t sure whether to come here or swing by Gus’s.”

The two men shake hands. Willy’s is considerably meatier than Aiden’s as if he often has dessert after dinner.

“Hey, it’s good to see you. I hear you’re back in town.”

“Happy to say the rumors are true. Well, most of them. Don’t believe anything if Stoll’s name is involved.”

“Nah. I stopped trusting him when he sent me a letter quadrupling my business tax. No, sir. That don’t fly around here.” He slaps a bug that lands on his neck.

If I were Mayor Stoll, I’d make myself scarce too. His fans are few and far between.

“Anyway, Gus’s tow truck has a broken tie rod. Henley had me park the BMW in the back. I take it you’d like to collect yourpersonal items.” For the first time since entering the office, he looks at me.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Not a problem.” He holds out the keys and then winks. “Just make sure you bring ‘em back. Rules are rules.”

Aiden chuckles. “Don’t worry. She’s not going to drive off.”

I snort as I take the keys but not at his comment. Strangely, running away hadn’t even occurred to me. Only now does the thought float into my mind that I could call my parents, explain the situation, and use one of their lawyers to erase this blemish from public record. It can be done. Andrew had a late night, got pulled over, and no one knows what happened next because Mother and Father took care of it.

Previous to now, I think I would’ve pressed the “Easy Button.” But would I accept their help if they offered it? Would they offer it? I shake myself from the probing thoughts and take the keys.

I trail Aiden to the car while Willy locks up his office for the day. We transfer my bags to the Maybach as a familiar police cruiser pulls up.

Without thinking, I hold up my hands and the keys fall to the ground. Officer Henley gets out with a loud guffaw and holds a paper shopping bag.

“So jumpy. Don’t worry, kids. I’m not back to arrest you. Saw you parked here, Aiden. Wondering what time should I tell Bubba to expect you?”

Unfazed, Aiden says, “He can expect us at ten.”

“Sounds good. He appreciates it.” Officer Henley passes me the bag.

I’m confused because I already have my luggage.

“This is for tomorrow. You and Mrs. Henley are about the same size.” I peek inside to find a pair of boots, overalls, andgloves. “She keeps goats and makes soap, has plenty of working clothes. Figured you might need something to wear for work.”

“Oh, right,” I manage to mutter with a glance at my sequined dress, sparkling in the late-day sunlight. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” With a wave, Henley gets back in his car.

We do the same. As I sit down, I eye the forklift in the parking lot. Aiden might need to employ it to get me out of this seat when we get to his house. I’m not only tired, but I’m also touched.

The man who arrested me and sentenced me to thirty days of community service thought to bring me a change of clothing for work. I’m not typically a teary person, but his thoughtfulness moves me. To keep the emotion at bay, I pull out my phone and check my social media accounts. The array of hearts and comments, though considerably less than I’m used to, do nothing to stoke emotion.

I check to see if any of my friends reached out in private messages, but most people share their opinion about my and Puma’s innocence or guilt. The trolls think I should go to jail.

Been there. Done that. Have the community service assignment to prove it.

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