Page 63 of All This Time

I step back and push my hair from my face. “Girl stuff. I kinda need to talk to my best friend, and it can’t wait.”

Steven picks up a pen from the counter and starts scribbling something on the paper in front of him. “You know how she gets when she’s close to finishing a project. I’m pretty sure she slept here last night.”

“That’s what I figured when there weren’t any lights on at her house.” After trying to call her three times with no answer, I peeked through the blinds in the window of my house that faces hers, and found hers pitch black. Hence why I’m here on my lunch hour to get the advice I’m in desperate need of.

“Excuse me?” A voice behind me makes me jump. When I turn and find a customer who just walked in, I slide out of the way so Steven can assist her.

He morphs from a dirty-minded jokester into the professional that he is right before my eyes. “Welcome to Clark Customs & Auto Repair. How can I help you?”

A short, blonde woman in a pink sundress walks up closer to the counter, clutching her purse at her side. “I was interested in getting my brakes checked. They’re squeaking something awful and I don’t want to drive home after my trip if something is wrong.”

“We can definitely take a look. Most of the time, the noise is just dirt that’s gotten in between the brake pads, but if not, we’ll assess for any other issues.”

She covers her chest with her palm, sighing in relief. “Thank you. I swear, one of my worst fears is getting in a car accident because of something that was totally preventable, you know?”

“I agree.” Steven pulls out an invoice from under the counter. “Let me just get your information.”

But before the woman replies, she turns to face me and her eyes widen. “Oh my goodness. You work at the salon, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Can I just say that the facial I had there the other day was the best I’ve ever had?”

Smiling, I reply, “Happy to hear that. Are you just visiting Blossom Peak?”

“I am.” She begins to fiddle with her necklace, catching my eye, especially as recognition dawns on me.

“Oh my gosh. Your necklace,” I say, reaching out to touch it but stopping myself. “My—my mom used to have one just like it.”

The lady pulls it out in front of her to peek down at it. “I love pink diamonds.”

“She did too.” Goosebumps spread down my arms as my eyes stay fixated on the woman’s jewelry. “She—she died twelve years ago.”

The woman frowns and reaches out to stroke my arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” I keep staring at the woman as I fight back tears, finding myself apologizing quickly. “Sorry. I’m—I’m just having a moment.”

“Take all the time you need. Grief can hit you when you least expect it.”

I nod, but don’t say anything else as I regain my composure.

Steven clears his throat, gaining the woman’s attention. “If you have your driver’s license, that would help me create a customer profile for you.”

“Oh, absolutely.” The woman digs through her purse for her wallet but glances over at me again. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah. I’m good. Thanks for being so…” The word I’m looking for dies on my tongue.

Luckily, the woman squeezes my hand, giving me the emotional support that I need in that moment. “Anytime.”

Shaking off the sensitive moment, I walk past Steven, down the hall of the office space, and into the garage, looking between the bays to find my best friend.

“Steven, I need that tie rod over here, please!” Dilynne calls out as I make my way toward her, and Steven appears out of nowhere, hot on my heels.

“I thought you were helping that lady. That was quick,” I say as I glance back at the front office and find it empty.

“I got her info, but I knew Dilynne was waiting on me, so I told her I’d be right back.” He glances over at me, grinning. “Isn’t this car sick?”

“What car is it?”