Page 180 of Love Arranged
“Manny took it to my house.”
“What? Why?”
“I thought I should keep your prized possession safe since there appears to be someone in your neighborhood who’s tampering with spark plugs.”
Her entire face turns red.
“How did you learn to remove those anyway?” I ask after sitting on the question all afternoon, ever since Manny passed by earlier to grab Lily’s car keys so he could drop it off at my house.
She can have it back in two months—and not a single day before then.
If Manny thought my request was unusual, he didn’t show it, most likely because I played it all off like some prank.
Lily kicks up some dirt with the toe of her shoe. “YouTube.”
“I’m impressed.”
She glances up at me. “The look on your face was worth it.”
“Now I feel less bad about this…” I open the Messages app on my phone and show her my text thread with Manny.
Manny
Tell me again why you want me to remove Lily’s engine?
Me
It’s part of the prank.
Manny
And the boot on the wheel?
Me
Added safety precaution.
Manny
Would you like me to remove the steering wheel while I’m here?
Me
Now you’re thinking outside the box.
Manny
I was kidding.
Me
I’m not. Also, is it possible to take out the driver’s seat? Just in case?
Lily shoves me hard. “What are you doing?”
“Keeping you safe.”
“From what? The right to make my own choices?”
