Page 28 of Where We Stay

Blair turns toward me, one hand resting on the door handle. “Thank you again. For the tow, the lift and moving things around for my car.”

“It’s fine,” I assure her.

“Let me know how much everything is, and I’ll fix you up.”

“We’ll sort out the price when I bring it back tomorrow,” I tell her.

“And you’re sure you know where to bring it?” she asks.

I glance toward the cottage in front of us. “White house next door to G. I think I can manage.”

“Right.” Blair scrunches her nose. “Stupid question.”

“I wasn’t going to say it.”

“You didn’t have to.”

I smile as she opens the door.

“Bye, Dean,” she says before climbing out.

“See you, Blair.”

She closes the door behind her, but her scent stays behind, filling the cab with jasmine and warmth.

I watch her walk toward the cottage.

I tell myself I’m only waiting to make sure she gets inside safely.

Then Blair reaches the porch and turns back toward me. She lifts her hand in a small wave before disappearing through the front door.

I’m still staring at the empty porch after it closes.

Fuck me.

This woman is going to be a problem.

* * *

By the time I finally lock up the shop, Knox’s laughing has settled down.

Mostly.

The second I told him I was rearranging the workload so Blair could have her car back by tomorrow afternoon, he started giving me shit.

That was hours ago.

“What is your issue?” I ask, tossing a rag onto the workbench.

“Oh, nothing.” Knox leans against the Kombi with his arms crossed. “I’m just enjoying watching you go out of your way for someone you barely know.”

“I’m helping a customer,” I reply.

“A customer who happens to look like Blair,” he adds, drawing out her name to throw my correction from earlier back in my face.

“Shut up.” I close my toolbox harder than necessary. “I’d do it for anyone who needed their car.”

Would I?