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“I might,” Jo answered, walking closer. “Mostly I was checking to see if she was damaged.”

Mr. Diaz glanced at her. “I see,” he said, before stepping closer to the car. “She still got the original engine block in there?”

“Mostly,” Jo said. “I swapped out the radiator a while back. Needed something more reliable.”

The man leaned in, resting his hand gently on the hood. “She’s got good lines,” he said. “You chose well.” Looking away, Jo felt the warmth of the words. She didn’t tell him about the insurance call. About the possible limitations or about how she might be stuck covering most of the losses herself. She didn’t want to see disappointment in his eyes. Not when he’d trusted her with this place.

Instead, she cleared her throat. “How’s Rosa?”

“Still putting up with me,” Mr. Diaz said with a huff. “But actually, that’s part of why I came by.” Jo raised an eyebrow butwaited for more. “Tomorrow’s my son’s birthday. We’re having a little barbecue at the house. Nothing fancy. Just burgers, potato salad, and a cooler full of beer. Family, a few neighbors. Rosa said to tell you that if you don’t show up, she’s sending me over with a plate of food and a guilt trip.”

Unable to help from smiling, Jo chuckled. “Hard to say no to Rosa.”

“Smart girl.” He paused, then added, “You should bring your new girlfriend.”

Jo blinked. “Evelyn?” she asked, and Mr. Diaz gave her a knowing look.

“Unless there’s another one I don’t know about.”

Jo felt her ears heat. “We’re not...” she started. “I mean, it’s still new.”

Mr. Diaz shrugged. “So what?” she said. “Bring her anyway. Might take your mind off this mess.”

Hesitating, Jo considered the idea of introducing Evelyn to Mr. Diaz’s family. People who had known her since she was a green behind the ears mechanic and still learning how to swap out an alternator. Still, a part of her wanted them to meet Evelyn and see how wonderful she was. “I’ll ask her,” Jo said finally. “If she’s free.”

“Good,” Mr. Diaz said. “We’ll save you both a seat and maybe a slice of cake, if you’re lucky.”

Smiling, the knot in Jo’s chest loosened a little. “Thank you,” she said, and Mr. Diaz gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Anytime. Now, I'd better get home before Rosa starts checking on me.”

After watching them go, Jo turned back to the Mustang, her fingers trailing along the hood once more.Maybe tomorrow will be good, she thought. A break.Maybe even a reminder that not everything has to be fixed immediately.

Sixteen

After zipping the duffel bag closed with a satisfying tug, Evelyn straightened from where she crouched by the bed. She scanned the room, mentally checking off her list. Toothbrush, pajamas, clean clothes for tomorrow, laptop, in case Jo fell asleep early and she got the urge to work. She smiled to herself.As if I’m going to get any work done tonight, she thought. Biting her lip, she hesitated, then crossed to her dresser and opened the top drawer. Fingers trailing over neatly folded cotton underwear, she paused, then dug a little deeper until she found what she was looking for—a lacy black set she bought on a whim months ago and never worn. It was sexy without being trashy, delicate without being impractical. Holding it up, she felt a thrill run through her.Maybe after takeout and kisses, I’ll find a way to be brave again. She put the lingerie into the duffle, feeling her cheeks warm at the thought of Jo seeing her in it.

Turning toward the bed, her eyes caught on a colorful paperback half-buried under a research text on her nightstand. She picked it up, flipping it over in her hands. The cover was even more ridiculous than she remembered. There was a shirtless man with rippling abs holding a damsel in a billowing dress. “Savage Temptations” the title proclaimed in bold,looping script. Evelyn snorted under her breath. There was a time not long ago when the book would have been her secret escape.But now?she wondered.Now the idea does nothing for me. She suddenly pictured Jo in her mind. Her strong arms that had held her, the rough calluses of her gentle hands, the way her smile could make Evelyn’s heart race faster than any fictional hero ever had.I’m not that woman anymore.I don’t want fantasy. I want Jo.

Setting the book aside, she hurried through her apartment and grabbed her watering can from the kitchen counter to fill it. She needed to take care of her plants which she knew she was neglecting a little, spending so much time distracted. Moving to the windowsill where her large collection of foliage lived, she started to carefully give a sip to each one. The little succulent by the window was starting to wilt, its leaves a little soft at the tips. She frowned, adjusting it so it caught more of the afternoon light. “I’m sorry I have been so busy and not saying hello to you enough,” she said. “But there’s this person…” A warmth filled her. Somehow, she knew the plants understood. Still, the reality that she might be gone for longer stretches made her frown a little. She knew Jasmine would come by and water them while she was traveling, but Evelyn still felt a pang of guilt.

She thought about Dr. Wong’s offer and the promotion. It was an incredible opportunity that would launch her career and get her more important projects going forward. Things that could really make a difference in the world.But the travel, she thought.Months away. Sporadic visits home.How will Jo react to that?Evelyn set the watering can down and pressed her palms against the windowsill, staring out at the street below. She wouldn’t decide right now, and she wasn’t ready to discuss it with Jo, especially since the woman was already dealing with so much. Evelyn couldn’t pile her own uncertainty onto Jo’s already burdened shoulders. Not tonight. Tonight neededto be about them. About laughing over takeout containers and hopefully feeling Jo’s hands on her skin again.

Decision made, Evelyn grabbed her jacket and slung the bags over her shoulder. She double-checked the locks on the windows and turned off the lights. As she stepped into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind her, Evelyn made a resolution. She would tell Jo soon, but not until the moment felt right.

Gunning the throttle, Jo weaved through Portland traffic like it was second nature. The wind slipped under her jacket, cool through the tight T-shirt she wore, but she barely noticed. Her mind wasn’t on the road. It was on Evelyn. She should have been tired after dealing with the mess at the garage all day, plus trying not to freak out over the impending bad news from the insurance company. Yet instead, she felt excited because Evelyn was coming over.

Jo shifted gears smoothly, leaning into the curve of the road. Her chest tightened. A sensation that had nothing to do with the ride and everything to do with the memory of Evelyn’s smile. The way she looked at Jo like she was more than only a grease-stained mechanic in a leather jacket. Jo had plenty of hookups over the years. Plenty of nights that started with a flirt and ended with a goodbye.But this?she wondered, unable to categorize the feeling. All she knew was that whatever it was with Evelyn, it was different.And it scares the hell out of me.

Exhaling sharply, Jo tried to shake off the unease curling in her gut.It doesn’t matter, she thought.Tonight isn’t about facing my fears. It is about Evelyn.Especially how my mouth feels on hers every time we kiss.Jo smiled under her helmet, already picturing it.

She wasn’t too far from her place when she spotted a car. It was a battered Honda pulled over on the shoulder, hazard lightsblinking. As she slowed, she caught sight of the woman standing beside it, her phone pressed to her ear, and her face filled with frustration. In the backseat, she heard a baby crying. Without hesitating, Jo pulled over. Doctors run toward accidents to save lives, mechanics stop in emergencies to fix cars. She killed the engine and swung off the bike, tugging off her helmet as she approached. “Can I help?” she called.

The woman lowered her phone, relief flashing across her face. “Flat tire,” she said. “And of course, my husband’s out of town, and I can’t get roadside assistance on the line. I don’t even know if I have a spare.”

Jo nodded. “Mind if I take a look?” she asked, keeping her tone easy and reassuring.

“Please,” the woman said, stepping aside. Crouching by the back of the car, Jo inspected the tire.

Definitely flat with a nail lodged deep in the tread. “I can change that,” she said. “Can I check for a spare?”