Page 10 of Her Mechanic Bear Mate

Charlie looked at the woman in the grey dress again and wondered what her chances of success were if she went up to someone at random, pick-up line at the ready. Would it end in a fun night or would she return with another rejection under her belt? She didn't know.

The woman in grey turned to look at the door and Charlie's stomach dropped.

Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be Eve? She looked even more polished than she did at the garage, with her short brown hair up in an elegant bun that emphasised her long neck and an even redder shade of lipstick. A kissable shade.

Before Charlie could look away, their eyes met and Eve waved casually like they were people who socialised outside of work or friends even.

All her friends noticed and conspiratorial giggles filled the air.

"So that's who you were staring at," Elise noted with glee in her voice. "She's cute."

Georgina chuckled. "Looks like you're in luck."

Charlie shook her head. "No, not in luck. That's my boss' daughter. We work together."

Tasha only squealed in excitement. "Now that's the kind of love story I'm after. Tell me more, tell me more."

"Oh, keep it in your pants," Charlie grumbled, her gaze inevitably travelling to the bar again. She shouldn't be looking but there was an undeniable magnetism to Eve that made it impossible not to stare.

"She looks lonely. You should buy her a drink," Georgina encouraged.

This was exactly why Charlie preferred to work with men. They kept to themselves and didn't pry into her personal lives, unlike her clucking friends who couldn't keep their noses out of her business. And yet, it was their encouragement that gave Charlie an excuse to approach Eve. She told herself it was to shut her friends up but in reality, she knew it was more than that.

She reached the bar and ordered more drinks for the table with the bartender, a transparent excuse when there was table service.

"Girls night out?" Eve asked.

Charlie pretended to be surprised. "Eve? Hi, I didn't see you there."

"Sure you did, you were looking at me earlier. I waved," Eve said, the confidence dripping from her voice. She grinned in a way that made her freckles dance and her eyelashes flutter.

Charlie only had one word to describe her. Beautiful.

When she realised she was staring, she averted her gaze to the empty chair next to Eve. "Are you here on your own?"

"I'm waiting for my friend but she's running late," Eve said with a sigh and a look at her phone. "She's the kind of person who says 'almost there' when they haven't left yet. I don't know why I bothered showing up on time."

"Aw, that's frustrating."

"A little, but now I get to chat to you. Want to keep me company until my friend arrives?" Eve proposed.

"Oh, I can't. My friends are waiting for me," Charlie said, turning to find them waving excitedly and giving her encouraging thumbs-up. Traitors.

Eve chuckled. "Looks like your friends are okay with it."

"These friends," Charlie muttered darkly.

Confusion danced on Eve's face. "What?"

"Nothing." Charlie stared at the beautiful woman next to her and felt her resolve waver even more. What was the harm in sticking around for a moment? It would be the friendly, collegial thing to do.

She ignored her screaming conscience as she climbed on the bar stool. It was only until Eve's friend arrived and Jack was never going to find out. Besides, there was nothing to find out. This was nothing more than a chat by the proverbial watercooler with her smoking hot coworker.

Charlie’s drinks arrived but before she could pick them up, Georgina appeared behind her with a big knowing grin.

“I’ve got it. You stay right where you are!” she exclaimed with an encouraging pat.

“This is not what it looks like,” Charlie protested, her gaze flitting towards Eve in concern. She didn’t want her newest coworker to get the wrong idea.

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