Page 14 of Fixing Hearts

Eight

S tanding by her window, Evelyn held the edge of the curtain as she peeked outside.

She had been standing there for the past ten minutes, pretending she wasn’t watching for Jo’s car.

But the truth was, her heart had been racing ever since she woke up, knowing today wasn’t just another Sunday.

Today, she was going on a date with Jo. A date , Evelyn thought as a flutter started in her stomach.

Well, maybe not officially. Jo did call it a car show.

Evelyn knew better. It was a date, whether Jo had used the word or not.

She exhaled, smoothing the fabric of her dress for the hundredth time.

She had agonized over what to wear, torn between looking cute and looking like someone who knew anything about cars, which she did not.

In the end, she had chosen a simple but flattering outfit of a fitted navy-blue dress that tucked in at the waist, paired with white sneakers.

Casual, but still put together. She had debated on a jacket but ultimately left it behind.

If it gets cold, maybe Jo will offer me her leather jacket again, she thought .

The idea sent a thrill through her as she remembered the last time she wore it, and she shook her head at herself.

Get it together. After what happened last time, I doubt Jo will be doing anything but being polite.

She glanced at the clock. Jo would be there any minute.

Her mind drifted to their phone call the night before, the moment she replayed repeatedly since it happened.

Evelyn had been curled up on her couch, her phone resting on her stomach, hoping that Jo really would reach out.

She had already surprised herself by agreeing to the car show, not to mention the impromptu kiss.

Neither ensured Jo would follow through and call.

I can’t believe I was that bold , she had thought, biting her lip.

What if I overdid it? That felt entirely possible.

Evelyn feared that women coming on strong might be something of a turn-off to Jo.

Before she could overthink it any longer, her phone buzzed.

Jo was calling, and Evelyn’s stomach flipped.

She took a deep breath and answered. “Hey,” she said, trying to sound casual.

“Hi there,” Jo’s voice was warm but seemed a tiny bit uncertain too. “Did you actually mean it? You’re really willing to come with me tomorrow?”

Happy to hear Jo’s voice, Evelyn smiled. “I meant it,” she answered. “Absolutely.”

There was a pause, and then Jo let out a breath. “I’m glad,” she said, relief in her tone.

“I should warn you, though,” Evelyn said. “I really do know nothing about cars.”

Jo chuckled. “That’s okay. I have enough knowledge for both of us.”

“Good to know,” Evelyn said with a laugh, relaxing slightly.

Another pause. This time, it was a more comfortable one. “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow,” Jo said. “Look for a silver classic beauty.”

Evelyn frowned. “A classic beauty?”

Jo’s sexy smile was evident in her voice. “You’ll know it when you see it.”

For a beat, Evelyn hesitated, then took a small leap. “Jo?”

“Yeah?”

“Well…” she started, about to lose her nerve. She closed her eyes. I’m excited to see you , she had wanted to say. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the shop. You make me feel things I don’t know how to deal with. Instead, she had settled on “Drive safe.”

Now, standing by the window, Evelyn took a steadying breath, shaking off the nerves curling inside her.

A low, rumbling engine suddenly filled the street outside her apartment, and her pulse jumped.

She turned to look around the curtain again, in time to see a sleek, silver car with chrome accents pull up to the curb across the street.

She didn’t know cars, but this one looked like something out of an old movie.

It was the kind of car that commanded attention, the kind that looked like it had stories to tell.

Even from the third floor, she could see Jo behind the wheel, one arm resting casually on the doorframe, her sunglasses perched on her nose.

There was an easy confidence in the way Jo carried herself, the way she belonged in that car.

Evelyn’s breath caught. Oh, I am in so much trouble , she thought.

She turned away from the window, pressing a hand to her chest. Okay.

I can do this . Snatching up her small crossbody bag, she took one last look in the mirror, smoothing her hair.

Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed her keys and headed for the door.

As she stepped out of her apartment, the nerves didn’t fade, but neither did the excitement.

Drumming her fingers against the steering wheel, Jo stole a glance at Evelyn in the passenger seat.

The woman looked good in Jo’s car. Maybe too good , Jo thought.

She looks gorgeous sitting there. In her navy-blue dress, her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders, Evelyn somehow looked both relaxed and slightly nervous, like she was still getting used to the idea of it all.

Jo liked that. She liked that Evelyn had stepped outside of her comfort zone to come with her.

So far, the drive from Portland to Lincoln City had been smooth, the winding roads lined with towering pines and stretches of rolling hills.

The sky was overcast, but the April rain had held off so far.

Jo hoped it would stay that way. A car show in the rain wasn’t ideal, especially when she wanted Evelyn’s first experience to be perfect.

As Jo shifted gears smoothly, the low rumble of the engine filled the quiet between them. “This is a nice drive,” Evelyn said, looking out the window. “Peaceful.”

“Yeah, it is,” Jo said with an easy smile. “One of my favorite routes.”

Evelyn glanced at her. “And this car…” She ran a hand along the edge of the seat, her fingers trailing over the leather. “It’s amazing. I don’t know what it is, but even I can tell it’s special.”

Grinning, Jo sat up a little straighter. “She’s a 1967 Pontiac GTO. A real classic.”

Raising her eyebrows, Evelyn shook her head. “Okay,” she said. “And what does that mean for someone who knows absolutely nothing about cars?”

Jo chuckled, keeping her eyes on the road. “It means she’s got history,” she replied. “The GTO was one of the first real muscle cars—American-made, built for power and style. This one? I rebuilt her myself. She was my first real project.”

Turning to her, interest sparked in Evelyn’s eyes. “You rebuilt it?” she asked. “Like from scratch?”

“Pretty much,” Jo said, pride creeping into her voice.

“She was a mess when I got her. Rusted frame, engine barely holding together, and the interior was trashed. Took me over a year to get her back to this.” She patted the dashboard affectionately.

“Had to track down some of the original parts, which wasn’t easy.

And don’t even get me started on the wiring. Absolute nightmare.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “You did all of that yourself?”

Jo grinned, enjoying the way Evelyn looked both impressed and a little in awe. “Yeah. It was a challenge, but worth it. Nothing like bringing something back to life with your own hands.”

There was silence for a beat. “That’s actually really incredible,” Evelyn finally murmured, and Jo felt warmth spread through her chest. She was used to people being impressed by the car but hearing it from Evelyn felt different.

Not sure what to say, Jo was a little relieved as she took the final stretch of road toward Lincoln City.

The scent of saltwater drifted in through the open window, mixing with the crisp, pine-filled air.

A few minutes later, Jo turned into the large parking lot at the convention center where the car show was being held.

Vehicles of every shape and size packed the lot.

There were sleek vintage roadsters, bright muscle cars with their hoods popped open, and even a few tricked-out hot rods with gleaming chrome finishes.

People milled about, admiring the cars, chatting with owners, and taking pictures.

Evelyn’s mouth parted slightly as she took it all in. “Wow,” she breathed.

Jo parked the GTO and shut off the engine, watching Evelyn’s reaction. “Surprised?”

Nodding her head, Evelyn’s eyes were wide. “I guess I didn’t expect all of this,” she said, gesturing to the rows of cars, and the vibrant energy of the show. “It’s kind of amazing.”

“Told you,” Jo said with a grin. “Cars have a way of drawing people in.”

“I feel like I’ve stepped into another world.”

Laughing, Jo opened her door. “Well, let me be your guide.”

After they climbed out, Jo led Evelyn through the lot, pointing out a few of the standouts. “That’s a ‘69 Camaro SS, one of the best muscle cars ever made,” she said, nodding toward a deep-blue beauty. “And that over there? A ‘57 Chevy Bel Air. Absolute icon.”

Evelyn followed her gaze, nodding like she was trying to absorb everything. “I can see why people love this,” she admitted. “There’s something nostalgic about it.”

Jo smiled. “Exactly.” She could already tell Evelyn was seeing the appeal, and Jo was glad she got to experience this with her.

As they walked deeper into the show, Jo felt something different, something she hadn’t expected.

Today wasn’t simply another casual day out.

Today meant something, and amazingly, Jo wasn’t afraid of it.

Evelyn could not stop talking. She knew it, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

As Jo pulled out of the parking lot, Evelyn was still rattling off details about the cars they had seen.

Details she never would have paid attention to before today.

“And that Mustang—what year was it again? Sixty-seven?” she asked, turning toward Jo in the driver’s seat.

Jo grinned, shifting gears with an easy confidence. “Sixty-eight.”

“Right! The Fastback,” Evelyn said, nodding to herself. “I can’t believe how much I liked it. And that deep green color? Gorgeous.”

Amusement flickered in Jo’s brown eyes when she glanced at her. “Look at you,” she said. “Throwing around car knowledge like a pro.”

Laughing, Evelyn shook her head. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she said. “I still don’t know what half of those engine parts do.”

“Well, you were a pretty great student,” Jo said, letting out a low chuckle. “I think I might’ve converted you into a car person.”

Evelyn bit her lip, happiness spreading through her.

She had been worried she wouldn’t fit into Jo’s world, but today had been amazing.

Jo had been patient, explaining things without making her feel like an outsider.

And the way she talked about cars, the way her entire face lit up when she discussed their history and mechanics, was sexy as hell.

She shifted in her seat, suddenly aware of the quiet between them.

The energy in the car had shifted from the excitement of the show to something softer, more intimate, and she definitely wasn’t ready for the day to be over.

Jo must have sensed it because she glanced over, one hand resting casually on the gear shift. “You hungry?” she asked. “We could grab some food before heading back.”

Evelyn hesitated, then shook her head. “Not hungry yet.” She hesitated again, choosing her words carefully. “But I wouldn’t mind doing something else before we head back.”

“Hmm,” Jo hummed, her fingers tapped against the steering wheel as she considered.

“There’s a good coffee shop not far from here.

We could grab something warm, and then…” She paused, meeting Evelyn’s eyes.

“I was thinking about heading over to Roads End. It’s a quiet spot with a great view of the ocean.

We could sit in the car for a bit, watch the waves.

Maybe walk around if it’s not too cold.”

Feeling a wash of anxiety, Evelyn held her breath.

It was a simple suggestion, but the idea of sitting in Jo’s car, parked somewhere relatively secluded, with nothing but the sound of the waves between them…

The idea made her nervous, but excited too.

And I came on this trip to get to know Jo better, she thought.

This is my chance. “That sounds nice,” she said, keeping her voice steady even as her pulse quickened.

Jo nodded, and Evelyn noticed her grip on the wheel tightening slightly before she relaxed again.

“Cool,” she said, her voice pitched low, sending another thrill through Evelyn.

Not sure what else to say or do, she was relieved when Jo pulled into the lot of a small, charming café with a weathered wooden sign that read Driftwood Coffee Company.

The place had a cozy, beach-town look with large windows reflecting the ocean in the distance and a few locals sitting outside with steaming mugs.

Jo pulled up to the drive-thru window, where a young woman waited to take their order.

“What can I get you today?” she asked Jo.

“Black coffee,” she answered. “No sugar, no cream.”

“Of course you drink it black,” Evelyn said, wrinkling her nose.

With a smile, Jo chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re exactly the type of person I’d expect to drink black coffee,” Evelyn teased. “Strong, no-nonsense, probably thinks lattes are for amateurs.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jo was clearly amused. “And what are you getting?”

Pursing her lips, Evelyn scanned the menu before deciding. “A vanilla oat milk latte.”

Jo snorted a laugh. “Figures.”

Evelyn crossed her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Leaning in slightly, Jo lowered her voice. “You seem like the type who likes things a little sweet,” she said. “A little wholesome, but also a little fancy.”

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “Well, excuse me for having taste. Life’s too short to deny the simple pleasures.”

Pausing for a moment at her words, Jo held her gaze and then nodded before turning to the barista. “One black coffee,” she said. “And one vanilla oat milk latte, please.”

A few minutes later, they were on their way. Evelyn took a sip of her latte, sighing contentedly. “This is perfect,” she said. “A very good idea.”

“Told you,” Jo said with a smile. The view of the ocean drew closer, waves rolling in under the overcast sky.

The sight of it made Evelyn’s breath catch.

She glanced at Jo, who was focused on the road, her expression unreadable.

The day was turning into something more than she had expected, and as much as it made her nervous, she definitely didn’t mind.