Page 61 of Business Casual

He ran his thumb over the top of my wrist. “A spike strip.”

The unexpected response caused me to burst out laughing.

“There’s that smile,” he said softly. “You’re good. I got you. Those tires are probably a hundred fifty dollars each. They’ll get replaced. Your godfather will be okay. You will be okay.”

My eyes dipped to where his hand was still touching my bare skin. And even though I felt horrible, his touch really did make it feel like everything would be okay.

His phone rang and he looked at it. “Give me one second, please.”

“Of course.”

“This is Alex,” he answered the call. After listening for a minute, he let out a deep breath. “Yes. Send me the files and I’ll review it… Yes… No… No. Absolutely not… Have it on my desk in an hour. Goodbye.”

Hearing the authority in his voice woke up the sex flashbacks I’d been suppressing.

Fortunately, the tow truck pulled up and I was able to distract myself.

I got out of the car first, but Tre was on my heels.

After we spoke to the tow truck operator, I watched with bated breath as they loaded The Mustang onto the truck bed.

Tre’s hand wrapped around my wrist. “Breathe,” he commanded.

And I did.

“Does the shop know I’m bringing this beauty over there?” the tow truck operator asked.

“I left a message,” I answered.

“And she’ll be there with the vehicle,” Tre added. “We’re following behind you.”

“Tre, you have work to do,” I argued as soon as the tow truck driver walked back to get the forms for me to sign.

“And it’ll be waiting for me in an hour.” He held my gaze. “Let me do this.”

My stomach fluttered. “Okay.”

Twenty minutes later, we were at Jimmy’s. He pulled up to the door and let me out. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Tre.” It was my turn to reach over and touch him. “For everything.”

I got out of the car and went in to face the music.

“Imani!” Jimmy called out as soon as he saw me. “Guess who has been missing her mama.” He rolled his chair to the left and reached over to a wall of keychain hooks.

“Did you get my message?” I wondered, staring at the older man as he grabbed my keys. “Do you know what happened?”

“What happened?”

I pulled my lips into a tight line. “It’s The Mustang. The tires on the right side are shredded.”

Alarmed, he jumped to his feet. “How? Are you alright? How did you get here?”

“My supervisor at the new job. The car is being towed because the tires look like they were slashed. I know it had to do with Avery. I don’t have any proof, but I know his girlfriend Katrina did it.”

He grabbed his hat and slowly pulled it off. “How did she know what you were driving? Why are you around them so much?”

“There was this work thing, and I didn’t know they were going to be there. Avery asked me if I was taking care of The Mustang in front of her and she must’ve put two and two together. I’m so sorry. I’ll replace the tires.”

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