Page 20 of Fixing Hearts

Twelve

S itting at her kitchen table, Evelyn frowned at her laptop screen, her fingers drumming against the wooden top as she stared at the half-finished presentation in front of her.

She got up extra early to work on it, but she had sat there for the past thirty minutes, attempting to focus.

Unfortunately, her mind refused to cooperate.

Instead, it kept drifting back to last night.

Jo’s hands on her waist, the feel of her breast, the way heat had filled her body…

until Sophie had knocked on her door, bringing everything to an abrupt halt.

Evelyn groaned, rubbing her temples. She wasn’t mad at Sophie.

Her friend had been genuinely upset, but the timing had been excruciating.

Feeling restless, frustrated, and maybe a little bit guilty, Evelyn wasn’t sure what to do next.

Jo had been patient. More patient than Evelyn had expected.

Even when she had every reason to be annoyed, Jo had smiled and taken it in stride, walking out of Evelyn’s apartment with that maddening confidence that still made Evelyn’s pulse flutter.

Maybe I should do something nice , Evelyn thought, biting her lip.

A small thank you . Her eyes flicked to the clock.

It was still early enough to make a quick stop before work.

She grabbed her phone and keys ad slipped on her coat as she headed out the door.

Ten minutes later, Evelyn stepped into her favorite coffee shop.

She ordered two large coffees, one black, and one a vanilla oat milk latte, plus a box of assorted scones.

As the barista handed her the drinks, Evelyn hesitated and then added a third black coffee to her order.

Just in case Mica is working today , she thought.

I could use some brownie points with her too .

By the time she pulled into the lot outside Jo’s garage, the morning was in full swing.

The large bay doors were open, and the sounds of metal clanking and a low hum of voices filled the air.

As she walked toward the garage door, Evelyn spotted Jo immediately.

She stood beside a car up on a lift, inspecting something underneath.

The sight sent a thrill through Evelyn’s chest, and she bit her lip to contain herself.

Mica stood beside Jo, looking at whatever Jo pointed at, as did an older man with salt-and-pepper hair who looked entirely at home in the garage.

Hoping she wasn’t interrupting something important, Evelyn took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and walked closer.

Jo glanced from her work at the sound of footsteps, and when she saw Evelyn, her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “Well hi,” she said. “Look who decided to visit.”

Mica turned, eyebrows lifting in surprise before she grinned. “Evelyn,” she said. “Hey, what brings you here?”

Evelyn lifted the coffee tray. “I come bearing gifts,” she said, and Jo’s grin widened.

“Now that’s the kind of visitor I like,” Jo said, and Evelyn smiled as she handed Jo her coffee. “Black, no sugar, no cream,” she said. “Exactly how you like it.”

Jo took the cup, her fingers brushing against Evelyn’s in a way that felt entirely intentional. “You remembered,” she said, her voice low and amused.

“Of course I did,” Evelyn said, ignoring the way her stomach fluttered so easily.

Mica let out an exaggerated gasp. “Wait, I get one too?” she asked, accepting the second cup Evelyn handed her. “Damn, Evelyn, you’re spoiling us.”

“I figured it was the least I could do,” Evelyn said. “I know you’re working hard.”

A soft throat-clearing caught her attention, and Evelyn turned to find the older man watching her with a twinkle in his brown eyes. “And who might this be?” he asked, his voice warm with curiosity.

Smiling, Jo nodded toward the man. “Mr. Diaz, meet Evelyn. Evelyn, this is Mr. Diaz,” she said. “My mentor, former owner of the garage, and the man who taught me everything I know.”

Extending her hand, Evelyn smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Mr. Diaz shook her hand firmly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “You as well,” he said. “And let me guess, you’re the one making our Jo all distracted lately.”

Evelyn’s cheeks heated, and Jo groaned. “Mr. Diaz,” she said.

“What?” Mr. Diaz said innocently. “I’m only saying, it’s nice to see her bringing coffee and all.”

Feeling a little bad, Evelyn shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t bring you one. I didn’t know you’d be here.” She quickly opened the pastry box. “But I did bring scones. Please, help yourself.”

Letting out a chuckle, Mr. Diaz reached for a scone. “I shouldn’t be drinking coffee anyway,” he said. “Doctor’s orders.”

Evelyn laughed, relaxing slightly. There was something undeniably warm about the older man, and the way he looked between her and Jo made her feel both flustered and oddly charmed.

Mica took a sip of her coffee, then shot Evelyn a look. “So,” she started. “You coming to Sapphire tonight?”

“I can’t,” Evelyn said, shaking her head. “Too much work. Maybe even all weekend.”

“Boring,” Mica said, drawing out the word.

Evelyn saw Jo arch an eyebrow. “No distractions for you, huh?” the woman asked, a suggestiveness to her tone, and Evelyn met her gaze.

“I didn’t say that,” she said, trying not to blush.

“Good,” Jo said with a sexy smile, and Evelyn had a feeling she’d be thinking about that smile for the rest of the day.

Jo wiped a hand across her forehead, smearing a bit of grease in the process, but she didn’t care.

The day had been long, filled with back-to-back repairs, but her mind hadn’t been one hundred percent on work.

It was on Evelyn. She was still thinking about the way Evelyn had shown up that morning, coffee and scones in hand, her smile a little shy but warm.

It had been unexpected, and Jo wasn’t used to that kind of thoughtfulness.

The women she usually spent time with weren’t the type to bring her coffee just because.

But Evelyn did , she thought, stepping back from the car she had finished working on.

And damn if that doesn’t make me feel special.

Before she could dwell on the thought, Mica’s voice cut through the garage.

“Hey, what time are we heading to Sapphire ?” she asked. “It’s almost quitting time.”

Taking a rag from her back pocket, Jo frowned. “We?”

“Yes, we,” Mica replied. “As in, you and me, like every other Friday night.”

Jo hesitated as she wiped her hands, feeling an odd reluctance she wasn’t used to. Normally, she would be ready for a couple of beers at the bar after a hard workday, especially on a Friday. But tonight? she thought. Tonight, I’m not really feeling it .

“I don’t know, Mica,” she said, putting the rag back into her pocket. “I might take it easy tonight.”

Mica narrowed her eyes. “Oh no,” she said. “No way.” She crossed her muscular, tattooed arms. “Let me guess. You don’t want to go because Evelyn isn’t coming?”

“That’s not it,” Jo said a little too quickly.

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

Jo sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Look,” she said. “I just don’t know if I feel like the whole scene tonight.”

“Jo, come on,” Mica said with a dramatic moan.

“You love the scene. You are the scene.” She pushed Jo’s shoulder.

“Besides, it’s only a night out on a Friday.

You can still have fun without Evelyn.” Jo hesitated, and Mica pounced.

“Unless…” She dragged out the word. “You’re already so attached that you feel like you need her permission to go. ”

“That’s ridiculous,” Jo snapped. “It’s only been a week. We hardly know each other.”

Mica grinned. “Is it?” she asked. “Because that’s not how it’s sounding to me.”

Lifting her chin, Jo met Mica’s eyes. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll go.”

“That’s the buddy I know,” Mica said, almost beaming.

Snorting a laugh, Jo started toward the back.

“Give me ten. I’ll change.” She made her way to the restroom at the back of the garage, peeling off her grease-stained T-shirt and swapping it for a clean, fitted black one.

She ran her fingers through her hair, giving herself a once-over in the mirror.

She looked the same as always. Confident, casual, and ready for a good time.

So why does this feel different ? she wondered and frowned at her reflection.

Damnit, it’s only been a week. I can’t be that hooked already.

Right? Shaking off the thought, she took one last look at herself and headed back to the garage.

Mica was already waiting by the side exit door, grinning like she had won something.

Jo shook her head but smiled. “Let’s go.

Time to remind everyone why I’m the reigning champion of Sapphire . ”

“Oh, I can’t wait to see this,” Mica said, rubbing her hands together.

Jo chuckled, but as they stepped outside, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered that maybe the night wouldn’t be as fun as it used to be.

Evelyn sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the data on the monitor in front of her.

The numbers blurred, and the graphs were meaningless as her mind drifted, once again, to Jo.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. Focus , she commanded herself.

You have a board presentation to finish .

Unfortunately, her brain had other ideas.

Specifically, ideas about Jo’s hands on her body, and the way she always looked at Evelyn like she was something…

What? Special? That didn’t feel like the right word.

Fun? Maybe even pretty? Then a realization came to her.

She looks at me like I’m something she wants.