I run my hand along the seat and hunker down next to it to admire the unfinished detail on the side. “Did you do this?”
I stand up, he’s beaming that megawatt smile now. “It’s just a hobby, I don’t normally customize anything. It isn’t that sort of garage.”
Before my head to mouth filter has a chance to work, I blurt out, “Well you’re hella dumb for not making it into one of those garages, you’d make a fortune off customizing bikes.” My hand flies to my mouth. “I’m sorry that isn’t my place to say.”
He laughs and motions for me to follow him into his office. “I just don’t have the manpower or the funds to make it that sort of garage at the moment. And... I have no idea why I just told you that.”
He rubs the back of his neck as he sits down on the sofa against the wall of his office. I sit next to him and choose not to comment on his money troubles.
“Listen-“ “I’m just going to-“ We speak at the same time. I laugh and he motions for me to go first.
“Okay, well I’m not one to beat around the bush so I’ll just come out with it and say I was a total bitch last night, and I’m sorry. I had no idea you looked after your mom, so again, I’m sorry.” I can’t look him in the eye, I don’t apologize to people unless it’s really called for.
He laughs, actually laughs. I narrow my eyes and his hands shoot up in protest. “I’m laughing because it’s no big deal. I was actually worried I’d upset you, so I’m sorry too for not explaining.”
He was worried he had upset me?
He stands up and reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. “I was gonna come give you this after work and explain myself, but you saved me a job.”
He winks at me and I just stare at his outstretched hand with the bills in before my walls fly up. “I’m not a charity case, I don’t want or need your money.”
Does he really think I’d take the money back? How humiliating. He opens up my hand and closes it over the money. “This isn’t negotiable, it’s your money and I wanted to buy you dinner. I’ve never let a woman pay for a meal before, and I’m not about to start now.”
He gives me a quick smile and I look back down at my hand. “Why would you want to buy me dinner?” I must admit, I’m shocked.
“Why wouldn’t I? You saved me from sitting on my own last night.”
“Of course.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear that’s blowing about in the breeze from the fan in the corner of the room.
“And contrary to what you want people to think about you, I see the real you. You’re actually pretty funny and you’ve got a good heart. You just like to protect it with this fa?ade.”
He raises a brow at me as if he’s daring me to contradict him, but I don’t. I sit here staring at him after he’s analyzed me, he doesn’t know me but he seems to see right through me. I don’t know what to make of it. I consider challenging him and reverting back to hard faced Keeley, but I’m tired of putting on a brave face. All I want is to be accepted in this town.
Why is he so Goddamn nice? He’s clear cut, nice to the core. What you see is what you get with him, he’s a far cry from who I would normally date but what is that I can see in his eyes? My normal type is more rough around the edges and isn’t really someone you can bring home to meet the parents. The polar opposite to Lewis. So, why am I feeling this attraction to him?
“Thought so. Why do you do it all the time?” He adds.
“Do what?” I answer clueless.
“Put a brick wall up with people. If you opened up a little, everyone would realize they were wrong to judge you.”
I look up into his kind eyes, starting to feel really uncomfortable about the way this conversation is going. I don’t even know him. “I don’t care what people think about me.” He has a knowing look on his face. “I really don’t.”
“Mhmm.” I squirm under his intense gaze. “So how old are you, Keeley?”
I smirk. “Didn’t your mom not teach you that it’s rude to ask a ladies age?”
He chuckles and I’m worried he’s going to start asking intrusive questions, so I answer him. “I’m twenty-four, twenty-five in three months.” Not knowing what to say next, I play with my fingers. I guess it would be polite to ask him back. “You?” Nailed it.
“Twenty-five,” he says, getting up and walking out of the room.
Where did he go? I don’t have to wait too long until he’s back in the room holding two beers. “Beer?”
I hold my hand out for one and thank him. “You own this garage?” I wave my arm about.
He nods but his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes, I’m about to ask him what’s bothering him when he changes the subject. “Last night you said you’d been hairdressing all your adult life. How’d you get into that?”