Page 140 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

us.

I push the candy aside and tuck it into my cheek for now. “I’m

looking for parts for an old Chevelle.”

He nods, his hands on the keys of his computer screen, ready to type

in the part numbers I rattle off to him. He goes through the list,

pulling a few extra wires and tubes needed to adjust the power

steering and to make the dash work with the battery again. Plus, I

need a new battery, most of mine at the shop are unable to be

charged by wall outlet at this point. I need something new.

While I shouldn’t be so generous with this car because of who it’s

going to, I could never do my work shotty and give someone a bad

product.

Even if they deserve a flat tire dud.

“Here you go,” he hums, putting everything in an old box for me to

carry, all except for the battery that he sets to the side. “I’ll just send

you an invoice, kid.”

I pause, wallet in hand. “What are you talking about, Mike? I can pay

here. It’s fine.”

He chews on his bottom lip for a minute, leaning between the new

parts and the heavy battery on the countertop. “Your dad had

overpaid his account a few times in the past, Leah. I can just use his

leftover account funds to take care of this for you.”

My body flutters in warmth. “You’re not just doing this as a favor,

right?”

His face falls at my words. While I’m thankful for the parts, I don’t

need pity. I’m trying to avoid that kind of reaction from people with

this entire ploy of being engaged to Percy! I don’t want to take

advantage of people’s kindness, though.

And I don’t want my father’s relationship with Mike, and their long

friendship together, to influence him into feeling sorry for me.

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