“It’s fine, really.”
She hops to her feet and grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s go get me that suit. Just because I’m officially off the market doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy the view tonight. These guys work hard for their bodies.” I stand and she links her arm in mine. “I intend on showing my appreciation.”
A couple more hours of shopping and we head back to my house to freshen up. At three forty-five on the dot, we leave for Jonah’s. I toss my backpack into Eve’s car just as Guy calls to me from the open bay doors of the garage.
I pop my head in the car door. “Give me a minute? I’ll go see what he wants.”
I jog to Guy who’s standing with Leo and Cane, two other mechanics in the shop. “Hey, guys. What’s up?”
Their eyes travel from my neck to my toes and back again. They don’t look happy about what they see.
“Where’re you going dressed like that, Ray?” Guy motions to my halter dress bathing suit cover up.
“I’m going to a barbeque pool party thing.” I hook the string of my bikini top with my thumb and hold it out. I mean, isn’t it obvious. And why are they looking at me like I’m wearing raw meat?
“There gonna be dudes at this party?” Leo’s protective tone isn’t the least bit surprising. He’s got three daughters and five granddaughters.
“Yes. There will be guys there.”
Cane, the newest mechanic at the shop, laughs hard, making his big belly shake. Guy and Leo aren’t laughing.
“Whose party is it? And please, don’t tell me it’s at one of them titty pools all the casinos are opening,” Leo says, sending Cane into another fit of laughter.
“You guys, it’s fine. I’m going to Jonah’s.”
No one is laughing. Not only are they not laughing but they’re frozen. Completely still. Oh no, this can’t be good.
Guy breaks the silence. “Ray, don’t be a dumb shit.”
“I’m not.” Falling for a guy who will most likely break my heart? Maybe I am. “Er . . . I’ll try not to be a dumb . . . um . . . what you said.”
The man, who has been like a father to me, must read my face. “You’re wearing a dress.” He makes a tsking sound and shakes his head. “Known you since you were fourteen. Ain’t never seen you in a dress.” Guy’s probably right about that.
He was my shop teacher in high school, and I never wore dresses to school.
Oh, wait.
“What about graduation?” I put my hands on my hips to force some attitude into my declaration. “I wore a dress to graduation.”
“That was a graduation gown.”
Darn, that’s right.
“Whatever. This isn’t a dress anyway, it’s a cover up.” I smooth the soft fabric over my stomach. “It’s new. Now, if you guys will excuse me—”
“You seriously gonna let her go?” Leo’s question is directed at Guy.
“She’s a grown woman.”
“And he’s nailed more women in Vegas than Barry Manilow.”
“Ray’s a smart girl. I trust her not to fuck up.” Guy’s eyes swing to mine. “Right, Ray?” His question reeks of warning.
I nod.
“You call us if you need anything. Don’t drink booze. Say no to drugs. And whatever you do, do not take a drink from a stranger or leave your drink unattended. You gotta piss, you take your cup in the john with you.” Leo’s instructions are given with a firm point to my face with each one.
“Got it. Can I go now?”
They shake their heads and turn back into the garage grumbling. I practically skip back to the car with a cheek-cramping smile plastered across my face.
*
Jonah
I’m antsy as hell. I hit the gym, went for a run, worked on the Impala, and nothing seemed to help. Needing to hear her voice, I finally broke down and called her. She seemed nervous on the phone, which was something I haven’t seen from her in a while. In the garage, she works with the cool confidence of a seasoned mechanic, but outside of the garage, she’s shy and nervous. And both are hot as hell.
Raven is nothing like the girls I’m used to. She’s not arrogant or overly aggressive. She doesn’t try to mind-fuck you into submission. With her, you get what you see. No twisted facades or acts of desperation. She doesn’t expect anything from me. It’s refreshing. And because of that, I’m completely at ease around her.
I’ve known her for a week, and I’m spilling my guts about my dad like a pigtailed girl at a sleepover. The words I’d been holding in for years just poured out, and rather than making me feel weak for my admission, she gave right back.