Page 24 of Forbidden Bond

I nod once. “Yeah. When’s Cara getting back? Lunch breaks are usually thirty minutes,” I grumble.

He shrugs. “I wouldn’t know, Toph.”

When he starts it, the car he’s working on gives a soft purr before the engine gutters out. I move closer, eyeing the car worriedly.

“You think it’s beyond repair?” I place my hand on my jaw.

Ellis shoots me a grin. “First rule when it comes to cars?”

“Nothing’s beyond repair,” I reply with a grin of my own. We bump fists and he moves toward the hood of the car while I head for my phone to text Cara.

Me: You’re definitely taking advantage of the fact that I’m your boss.

Cara: I would never!

I can almost picture her mocking smile.

Me: Get back here, Car. We’ve already got so much shit to do.

Cara: I’m already on my way. Oh, and I’m bringing someone with me.

Me: Who?

I’m immediately curious. I don’t like a lot of people being here. Day in and out, it’s just us three and the occasional customer coming to drop or pick up their car.

Cara: A friend.

That’s vague. I arch an eyebrow as I text her back.

Me: What business does this friend have here?

Cara: Alright, fine. I took it upon myself to go ahead and find someone suitable for the job. The assistant you should have hired months ago!

My lips pull down to a frown.

Me: I never asked you to do that.

Cara: And I did it anyway. Because I’m amazing. Don’t get mad, I promise she’ll be great at it. I knew her in high school and we recently reconnected. When I met her up with her for lunch, she kept talking about how much she needs a job. Then I remembered she really loves cars and she’s, like, hella smart. She could be good for us.

The explanation does nothing to satisfy me. But according to Cara, they’re already on their way so I might as well meet this woman.

Me: Get here quick.

Maybe Cara’s right and I’m being ridiculous about not wanting to hire someone else. There’s just this part of me that believes that by hiring someone else, I’m making the garage bigger and ruining what I’m already used to. I’ve got a good thing going here, but one little slip-up and it could all be gone.

Of course, I wake up every day wondering if that slip-up will come from me.

“We’re here,” Cara announces a few minutes later as she walks through the open garage door.

“Cara,” a voice whispers worriedly—a voice I’m all too familiar with. “Why does the sign outside say ‘Toph’s Auto Repair Shop’?”

Cara turns around to reply, but she doesn’t need to. I step forward until I’m face to face with Katherine Malone.

“Because it’s mine,” I state, staring into her eyes. “Hey there, princess.”

This is the moment I have to question if fate has a sick sense of humor. Because why the hell do we keep being thrown together? There’s absolutely no reason we should keep meeting like this.

Katherine’s startled into silence. She stares wide-eyed at me for several moments before letting out a deep breath.

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