Page 7 of Tuned To Break
“What was?”
“The way you handled Captain Cappuccino over there. I’ve never seen anyone get ejected from a coffee shop with such style.”
I shrug, though I’m secretly pleased with myself. “You deal with enough dickheads in hospitality, you learn how to handle them. The four dollars he might have spent isn’t worth ruining everyone else’s morning. Sometimes you’ve got to choose your battles.”
“Exactly my point.” He leans forward, suddenly looking more serious. “Any chance you’re looking for a change of scenery? Jobwise, I mean.”
That catches me off guard. I’ve been working at The Enchanted Bean since I started uni, and while it’s only part-time, it covers my rent and keeps me fed. Though I’ll admit, extra cash wouldn’t go astray, my poor Corolla is held together with duct tape and zip ties.
“I’m pretty happy here,” I say carefully.
“I’m sure you are. But what if I told you about something part-time that might interest you? Something that would let you keep this job too?”
“I’m listening.”
“What did you study at uni?”
“Business administration.” I graduated six months ago and have been floating ever since, not sure what I want to do with my life. The coffee shop is comfortable, familiar. Sometimes that’s enough.
“Perfect. See, I own a few businesses around town, and one of them is in desperate need of someone who can wrangle chaos into order. Someone who won’t take shit from difficult people.” He gestures toward where the cappuccino disaster occurred. “Someone exactly like you.”
My curiosity is piqued now. “What kind of business?”
“Doc’s Auto Restoration.”
The bottom drops out of my stomach.
“Oh.” The word comes out flat, deflated. “That’s... that might be a problem.”
Arden’s eyebrows shoot up. “What kind of problem?”
I take a deep breath. This is not a conversation I enjoy having. “Doc’s my uncle. We haven’t spoken in six years. He cut me out of his life after my mum died—his sister—and he’s literally the only family I have left. My dad pissed off when I was little, so when Mum passed and Doc went radio silent...” I shrug, trying to look like it doesn’t still hurt. “Let’s just say I’m not his biggest fan.”
“Shit, Stella. I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“It’s fine. Well, it’s not fine, but it is what it is. Family’s supposed to show up for each other, especially during the worst times. He didn’t. End of story.”
Arden looks genuinely sympathetic. “I get it. Family stuff is complicated. But here’s the thing—Doc retired about a year ago. I bought the business from him. He still comes around occasionally for consultation on specific projects, but day-to-day operations are run by my best mate Chase and the other mechanics. I’m more of a silent partner who pays the bills and tries to keep things profitable.”
I process this information slowly. “Doc retired? I thought he’d die with a spanner in his hand.”
“Apparently not. Look, I can guarantee that if you take this job, you’ll never have to see him. If he needs to come in for anything, we’ll schedule it for days you’re not there. That’s a promise.”
The idea is tempting. I did spend a lot of time at the workshop before Mum died, and I know quite a bit about how the business runs. Or used to run, anyway.
“What exactly would I be doing?”
“Admin stuff, basically. Invoicing, scheduling, dealing with suppliers, keeping the guys organised. The thing is, we’ve been through three receptionists in as many months. They all quit, claiming the mechanics are ‘impossible to work with’ and ‘complete animals.’” He makes air quotes. “Which is partially true, but they’re good guys. They just have a particular sense of humour, and they don’t suffer fools gladly.”
“So you need someone who can give as good as they get?”
“Exactly. Someone who won’t run crying when Jake makes an inappropriate joke or José starts an argument about football. Someone who can organise the chaos and maybe knock some heads together when necessary.”
I’m interested now. “What are we talking about, hours-wise?”
“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoons—after you finish here—and all-day Thursday and Friday. No weekends.”
That could work perfectly. I’d still have my morning shifts here, plus two full days off when I don’t pick up a Saturday shift here.
