Page 27 of Reckless Curves
“Don’t make me beg, Tommy. Find something for me to do. Sweep the floor, wash windows—anything just so I can be around the cars,” Lexie said.
“Lex—”
“I’ll be good as gold around Mucous, I mean Marcus.”
Tom laughed at her derogatory name for his business partner. “Look, I might be able to throw some part-time work your way and recommend you for some side jobs. Or you could go work at another garage. I have contacts.”
His suggestion made Lexie look like she’d just swallowed gasoline. “What other garage? You mean like a garage-garage? Oh, hell no! C’mon, Tommy.”
Tom cast a glance at the office door. “It’s not up to just me.”
Lexie let out a disgusted sound and flopped back in her chair. Then she shot to her feet and stalked out of the office. Tom scrambled after her. He knew that crazy gleam in her eyes, and he needed to make sure that all hell didn’t suddenly break loose in the garage.
“Marcus!” she shouted.
Tom caught her arm. “No, no. Don’t you dare.”
Marcus came walking over to them from somewhere towards the back. “Yeah? What do you want?”
“To say goodbye,” Tom said. “Lex was just leaving.”
Lexie yanked her arm away. “Like hell I was. Why would I leave my new place of employment?”
“Lexie,” Tom warned.
Marcus looked back and forth at them. “What’s she talking about? Did you hire her? We don’t need another mechanic! All of our bays are full, Tom.”
Tom hated being caught in the middle of the two of them, which happened a lot. Just like now. They glared at him as though willing him to pick a side. “She’s kicked Jason to the sidewalk, and he’s left her broke. Have a heart.”
“Hey! Did you just hire her?” Sully shouted.
“Yes!” Lexie hollered at the same time Tom said, “Sort of,” and Marcus yelled, “Wait a minute… ”
Sully frowned. “Well, which is it?”
Marcus said, “No, we didn’t hire her. We really don’t need another mechanic.”
Sully sauntered over and gave Lexie a slow once-over. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Lex. Looking good.”
Lexie returned the favor. “Not looking so bad yourself, silver fox.”
Sully laughed and motioned for her to follow him. “C’mon. I got some places that need fixing that only small hands can get to. As I recall, you have great hands.”
“You might be gray on top, Sully, but there’s nothing wrong with your memory,” Lexie said.
Sully grinned and then said, “Zip! Get Lexie a pair of your coveralls! You’re the closest to her size.”
Zip popped out from under the hood of a sleek, silver Maserati. “Sure!”
He trotted off like an obedient puppy to do Sully’s bidding while Lexie followed Sully, leaving Tom and Marcus fuming as they faced off.
“What the fuck just happened?” Marcus asked.
“Sully happened,” Tom commented.
Marcus snorted and started for the office. “Who the hell are the bosses around here? I need a drink. Want one while I rip your face off for being a dumbass?”
“I can’t,” Tom said. “You know that.”
