Page 25 of Mess With Me
She growled.
“I’m just saying—”
“I rushed out the door and forgot to transfer my wallet to my gym bag!” She planted her hands on her hips. “Did you hear the part about running out of coffee?”
He cocked his head. “So you remembered your phone and keys but not the wallet.”
“Argh!” She punched and kicked the air, looking fierce, and his jeans suddenly had a lot less room. Something about a strong woman turned him on. Strong with soft underbelly drew him in. Not many women fit that description. Ally did.
“Kickboxing class?” he guessed.
“Yes.” She spoke through her teeth. “I can kickassnow. Go ahead, make my shitty morning.”
He bit back the smile he knew wouldn’t be appreciated. Instead he popped the hood on her car and peered inside. He was no mechanic, but it seemed the thing to do.
Ally stood by his side. “Is it the engine? Please don’t let it be the engine. I can’t afford a new car.”
“What happened?”
“I stopped at a stop sign and it just shut down. Completely quiet.”
“And when you tried to start it again?”
“It flatlined. Not even a peep out of it. Stupid car. Ruining my fitness high. Ugh! Last week I worked out and you tried to give me a ticket, and this week my car dies! It’s like some sign from the universe that I’m not supposed to get fit!”
He took in her flat stomach and toned legs. “It looks like it’s working. Don’t give up.”
She smoothed her hair, her voice considerably calmer. “Oh. Really?”
“Really.”
“Thanks. That means a lot coming from a fitness freak like yourself.”
“I prefer fitness god.”
She snorted.
He grinned. “I think it’s the battery. Let me give her a jump and see if we can get you back on your way.” He maneuvered his Jeep around, facing her car, retrieved the jumper cables from the back of his Jeep, told her to get in the car, and set everything up. A few minutes later, he signaled for her to start her car, and it roared to life.
“Woohoo!” she hollered. “Martin is back in business!”
He grinned and unhooked everything, shutting the hood.Martin.Everyone knew cars were feminine.
He stopped by the driver’s side window. “Let it run for a while. Give the battery time to charge and then get a new battery as soon as possible. There’s a place by the Eastman mall—”
“On my way!” She beamed and his heart stuttered. “Thanks so much. I’m adding get savvy about my car to my goal list.”
He leaned down. “I could teach you stuff. Maybe later today.”
“Thanks, but I’m really busy. After Martin’s fixed up, I’ve got a ton of planning to do for my wedding on Friday.”
His stomach dropped. “What do you mean? Who’re you marrying?”
She smiled serenely. “Myself. It’s called sologamy and it’s a real thing.”
He straightened, speechless. An actual marriage to herself? Was that legal?
She pursed her lips. “Let me guess, you think it’s dumb.”
