Page 15 of The Relationship Mechanic

At twenty-two, Jessica had still been questioning if her literature major had been a good idea, and that was after she had already graduated. Even now at twenty-seven, she was only just starting to understand what she might want in life.

“That’s impressive, like seriously,” she replied. She leaned against the car and crossed her arms as she observed Vini and tried not to let the lingering tendril of insecurity get to her. Everyone moved through life at their own pace. It was something she always told herself when she got another Facebook message about one of her old classmates getting married or having a baby. Jessica had plenty of time. She didn’t need to have everything figured out before thirty. Thirty was still young.

She caught sight of Vini’s bashful grin and clung to it. The way Vini reacted to praise made her want to do it more. Especially when it was well deserved. “You are absolutely adorable.”

When Vini scowled, Jessica threw her head back and laughed. The expression looked so ridiculous on her face that Jessica knew she didn’t do it often. Vini had lips made for smiling: thick and eye-catching. She found it hard to look away even as Vini crossed her arms over her chest looking like a petulant child.

“Puppies and babies areadorable, not grown-ass women,” she replied. “You could at least call megorgeousor something.”

Jessica laughed before leaning closer. “But you are adorable,” she replied ignoring the scowl. She took the chance to cup one of Vini’s cheeks. “You’re also gorgeous and sexy and amazingly accomplished for your age. Hell, for any age, really.”

Her words seemed to soothe Vini’s ire, and her hands dropped down until they fit themselves over Jessica’s hips. She pulled her closer, and Jessica willingly went, not even sparing a thought about resisting.

“Well, I guess when you add everything else to it, being calledadorableisn’t so bad. You should tell me what else you admire about me.”

“And inflate that ego any more than I already have? I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Jessica teased before leaning in. She brushed the tip of her nose against Vini’s, enjoying the way her eyes fluttered closed. They had been so good for the past couple hours keeping things strictly professional minus the moment when Tony had showed up in all her statuesque goodness and hauled Mr. Grumpy’s Mercedes off with only a head tilt and a smirk in their direction.

They had spent a few minutes laughing hysterically at the man’s face, and Vini had even called out for a celebratory pizza to be delivered. Aiden had come out to eat with them for a bit, enjoying the wayward customer’s just deserts before disappearing again into the back room. Vini and Jessica had eaten and then continued with the lesson. Despite the fact that Jessica still wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a carburetor and a transmission, she found Vini’s way of speaking engaging, and she hadn’t been able to keep herself from staring. It had been clear that she truly loved what she did, which couldn’t be said by everybody.

Now though, the semiprofessional mood had been replaced with the fun, flirty side that Jessica had greedily gobbled up glimpses of. She was quickly growing addicted to the way Vini’s eyes would widen and then go heated. It left her blood singing and the hairs on her arms standing up ready for what would come next.

“I think I’ve complimented you enough after today’s lesson,” Jessica continued. “I should save some of them for next time.”

Vini smirked. “Or maybe you should say all of them every time. Flattery is a powerful motivator.”

“I don’t think motivation is something you lack.”

“You may be right. Especially now,” Vini said, her voice taking on a breathy quality that had Jessica shivering as the feeling of it washed over her. The hands on her waist tightened pulling her in farther, and she found that she didn’t care that the garage door was open, leaving them in plain view of anyone who might happen to walk by.

Nine

Vini sighed as she pulled the hair tie from her braids. It had been a long day, though she remained strangely energized. Maybe it was because Jessica had shown up again for the third day in a row with the flimsiest of excuses about observing Vini work. Aiden hadn’t even bothered to comment on Jessica’s presence, especially when Vini brought him a coffee from the new café that had recently opened up in town. Winning him over had never been that difficult, not in college and especially not now. Not that she could talk. She had been won over damn near the day she and Jessica had met.

Normally, Vini would have been annoyed to have someone so close in her space. She occasionally had students from the high school come to the garage and learn about car maintenance, but even then, there was always a moment when she had to deal with getting used to them being there. She hadn’t felt that way with Jessica, and it was blowing her mind. There were even times when she needed space from her sisters, but she found herself craving Jessica’s familiar warmth each day. It was as unnerving as it was enjoyable.

“I’m home,” she called out, her mind still preoccupied with the conundrum that was Jessica and the low-key arousal Vini always seemed to get when she was around. They hadn’t yet had a repeat of the office incident, but they had taken to driving off for lunch and spending time fogging up the windows in Vini’s old truck. The fact that they hadn’t been caught yet was a miracle. Clearly some deity was watching over her, keeping her from hearing an earful from Ava about who Vini decided to fraternize with. Ava generally didn’t make it a point to interfere with Vini’s life, but she was always overprotective when it came to her lackluster romantic entanglements. Not that there had been very many. Still, this thing with Jessica was something that was wholly Vini’s, and she was loath to share any information about it with either of her sisters.

Dani popped her head through the doorway that led to the kitchen. “It’s about damn time. Go wash up so we can eat. Food’s ready.”

“Sorry,” Vini replied before ducking into the half bath in the hallway. She quickly scrubbed her nails to remove any lingering oil and bits of dirt under them. She usually did this before leaving the shop as well, but Dani was always adamant about her washing up again when she got home. It was annoying as hell, but given she worked in medicine, Vini usually gave her a pass.

Hands newly washed, Vini walked into the kitchen. Everyone was there already, which was a surprise. Ava had taken to eating dinner with Grace more often than not, but now that she thought about it, she did remember Jessica saying something about her and Grace catching a movie.

“About time you showed up,” Ava remarked before reaching for her plate. “I almost told Dani that we needed to start without you.”

“Rude,” Vini replied. “I would have called if I wasn’t going to show up. Unlike someone who just flits in and out whenever she feels like it.”

Ava arched an eyebrow. “I have a girlfriend. Of course I’m not always going to be at home.”

“And I have a life.” Vini grabbed her own plate and started serving herself. “I have things I might be doing as well. You could always call if you think I might not be around.”

Dani cleared her throat as Ava’s mouth opened no doubt to retort. Ava paused before rolling her eyes and digging into her food. Vini forced herself not to roll her eyes, but she did snicker softly when Dani smiled. Beside her, Jordan was shoveling food in his mouth like he hadn’t eaten all day. Dani’s gaze followed hers.

“Slow down, Jay. We have plenty of time before we need to head out.” Dani shook her head. He looked up at her before nodding and swallowing the wad of food in his mouth. When Vini asked Dani what that was all about, she chuckled. “There’s a new librarian that started an evening e-sports class at the library. Jordan signed up at school, and the first session is today at seven thirty.”

Jordan nodded quickly looking like the world’s most hilarious bobblehead. “Only ten kids could join, and I was picked. They talked about even starting a team to play for real.” His excitement was infectious. Vini had never really been into video games even at his age, but she had never seen him so enthusiastic about something and didn’t want to put a damper on his joy.

“That sounds awesome,” she replied not having to fake her excitement for him with how wide he was smiling. Even Ava’s lips were turned up in a small smile as he launched into the games he hoped they would play. None of it was familiar, but if it had him this happy, then clearly it was worth it.

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