Page 9 of To Belong Together
John hopped out and shut the door on Gannon’s fumbling attempt at matchmaking.
The amusement on Gannon’s face as he pulled away meant he understood John’s refusal.
Inside, the same woman who’d checked him in two days before reached under the counter for his key. “We replaced the leaking struts and did the oil change you requested. Everything else on the inspection checked out. Looks like you take good care of your car.” With a smile of approval, she gave him the key.
Erin must’ve noticed and noted that he kept up with maintenance. Unfortunately, she didn’t put in an appearance as he paid and exited. He ought to let go of the fanciful idea of a relationship with her. If and when God decided the time was right, he’d meet the right woman under the right circumstances.
Make it someone who doesn’t laugh at me when I ask her out?
His phone vibrated. If only God replied to prayers in texts. Might not be the most personal communication method, but it would beat the guesswork John sometimes felt like he had to do when trying to discern God’s answers.
Still on the curb outside the shop, he paused and found a text from his baby sister, Kate.
I don’t think they expected you to take up Robby’s invite to the bachelor party. Tanner’s intimidated by you, so be nice. Try talking a little.
For all the good talking had done him with Erin. But sure, he’d make an extra effort with Kate’s groom-to-be.
You bet. I’ve got enough stories about you to entertain him for hours.Smirking, John hit send as the service bay to his right rumbled open.
Erin stood just inside the door next to a car on a hoist. She focused on a computer as a man beside her gestured angrily.
A truck pulled out through the service door, blocking John’s view. The man’s grating voice continued on a tirade—swearing and something about acting like a princess.
When the truck passed, Erin turned her focus from the computer to the rude man. “This is the game you wanted to play, Sam. You could’ve been here as easily as me.”
To her credit, she kept her cool, but John had hoped her retort would send the jerk ducking for cover.
No such luck.
“You had no right to that work.” Sam pointed, finger an inch from Erin’s cheek. “You’re a guest here, a family favor you’re pushing too far. What if we all pulled this? What chance would you have then?”
This was no way to treat a fellow human being, let alone a woman.
The garage door was closing again, but John stepped underneath, and a sensor sent the door lumbering up. He crossed his arms, now five feet from the altercation.
Sam’s eyes, a watery blue, sharpened on him. “Who are you?”
“John Kennedy.” He kept a level gaze on the man, for once wishing he’d be recognized and his name would carry clout. Then again, John’s fame might threaten the man into lashing out even more. “I’m looking for my car.”
“Customers shouldn’t be in the shop.”
“Didn’t see it in the lot.” But only because he hadn’t ventured eight feet from the lobby.
“The ride-along guy, right?” Sam stabbed his fists to the waist of his pants. “What’d you do with it, Erin?”
She’d returned her focus to the computer, but at the condescending question, she splayed her hands away from the keyboard and started for the open door.
Sam smirked and turned away.
As much as John wished for a scathing remark to bring him down a few pegs, nothing came to mind. He hurried to catch up with Erin.
If Erin wanted another meddling,sexist man in her life, she would’ve advertised on a matchmaking site. Instead, she’d been minding her business and had somehow collected a third one. John announced his name as if he wastheJohn Kennedy, back from the dead, not some guy who’d blown every cent he had on a ridiculous stereo and unnecessary oil changes.
Erin’s boot hit an ice patch, but she regained her balance so the meddling man didn’t reach out to steady her.
Instead, he asked, “Who’s he?”
“A cousin.” She marched onward, her jacket open. Anger heated her, despite the frozen air.
