Page 3 of My Forbidden Valentine

"For someone who said you wouldn't drive me around, you're very much going out of your way."

His face is all scrunched up as he mumbles something I can't hear because he chooses that exact moment to crumple his paper bag.

He pulls out of the parking lot and two minutes later we arrive at "August's Auto Body & Repair". At this hour, none of hisemployees are working, and he tells me to wait in the truck while he opens the garage to let the truck in.

"Let me see if I can fix your car tonight," he says as he returns.

"There really is no reason for you to do that. I don't need it. Tomorrow is Saturday after all."

"No. I'll fix it tonight." And the way he says it, almost like it's an obligation, makes me recoil.

"If you're going to fix it today, I'm going to stay here."

"I can drive you home and bring back your car in the morning."

"Only if you're going home too. You can fix my car tomorrow."

"I told you I didn't have plans."

"Well, I'm staying then. You can’t go out of your way to get me and expect me to go home while you are here fixing my car."

He grunts and sighs heavily, like I'm a stubborn child. If he can be stubborn, so can I. "Fine. Grab my sweater, you'll be cold."

"Fine." I grab his sweater and step out of the truck. The garage is chilly, and I slip it on immediately. It's much warmer than I expected, and I can't help but notice how good it smells—like August. While he slides under the car on the creeper, I take the chance to tug the neckline closer, letting myself snuggle into it and breathe in the scent a little more. I might be slightly obsessed and August doesn't even look at me.

I grab one of the tools that I've seen my dad use on his car. I don't know much about cars, but I know this is important. For what? No idea, but it's important.

"Do you need this?"

He rolls towards me and I love how he looks laid down on the creeper. "Why are you touching my stuff?" He is not happy, but instead of getting mad like I got before, I'm getting more and more excited to get under his skin.

"What else am I going to do? Look at your pretty face all night?"

That seems to do the trick. I can't help the grin that appears on my face because August rolls back so I can't see him. So heisshy.

Maybe this Valentine’s Day will turn out to be fun after all.

Chapter 3 - August

"Can you grab me the wrench from the top of the desk in my office please?" If she insists on being here and helping me might as well take advantage of it.

"See? Was that so hard? To ask for help instead of being a dick about it?" I'm under the car, but I hear the smile on her lips despite her remark.

I hear her high heels echoing in the garage. I didn’t even tell her where my office is, but I imagine she’ll figure it out. It gives me a moment to breathe, because ever since I saw her sleeping in her car, it feels like my lungs are struggling to work. I’ll admit, I couldn’t resist spending a minute just looking at her before gently tapping on the window. She looked absolutely gorgeous with her mouth open, sleeping, and seeing her in that neckline is driving me wild. Her dress accentuates every curve of her body. I shouldn't be this aroused by my best friend's daughter. She has been a woman for a while, but it’s the first time I’ve actually noticed her, really seen her for the woman that she is.

A gorgeous woman who doesn't seem to be intimidated by me. I'm not stupid. I know how abrupt and moody I can be; I'm sure people still come to this garage because it's the only onein Hope Peak. Ever since I hired more people, it has been easier. Trenton, for example, is much better at dealing with people than me. He really is the sunshine in this place. People avoid me and I don't try to change it. I enjoy not being pestered about every single thing. I like to get the job done and get to the next car as soon as possible.

But Emma... instead of staying away, she's laughing. Any other person would recoil at being asked why they were touching my tools, but I saw her smile so brightly with my question and now I can't get that smile out of my head. This Valentine's Day was supposed to be just another day trying to get on top of my paperwork, which I never do when there's anyone around. If I'm slightly grumpy on a day-to-day basis, nothing enrages me more than paperwork.

I hear the door of my office creaking. As I expected, she found it. Which reminds me, I've been meaning to put some oil on the door hinges for weeks.

I drop my hands to the floor and pause what I'm doing, taking a deep, steadying breath. Of course, I'll keep my distance despite this attraction I feel toward her. Not that a woman like her would ever look twice at a guy my age, but it's better if I stop seeing her as a woman and start seeing her as my best friend's daughter again. Life has taught me that romantic relationships are not for someone like me, someone who doesn't know how to express himself, which causes misunderstandings all the time. Someone who needs to be alone to get his head straight.

Plus, she's off-limits and a million miles out of my league. A woman like her, a woman who deserves the world with someone like me? There's no Valentine's Day that can make that happen.

Emma is coming back. I need to get back to work instead of thinking of her. The faster I fix her car, the less time she has to put up with me.

"Seems like a tornado passed through your office," she comments, handing me the wrench. I step forward to grab it, and before I realize it, I’m closer than I expected. My fingers brush against hers, and a violent rush of blood pounds in my ears, leaving me momentarily frozen.

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