Page 36 of Fixing Hearts

Twenty-One

“ I ’ve been looking for the best time to talk,” Evelyn said, her voice quiet but firm. She stepped back slightly, her hands dropping from Jo’s and folding in front of her like she was bracing herself for impact.

Jo’s stomach twisted. “Okay,” she said slowly. “What’s going on?”

Holding Jo’s gaze, Evelyn exhaled. “I’ve been offered a promotion at work,” she said.

“A big one.” Jo didn’t speak, only waited, watching the way Evelyn’s shoulders squared up, like she was preparing for a fight.

After a beat, Evelyn continued. “It’s a lead position on a sustainability pilot program and a huge opportunity.

I’d be working with multiple institutions and agencies across the Pacific Northwest.”

Not quite understanding why Evelyn’s tone and posture didn’t match the news, Jo nodded once. “That sounds amazing,” she said. “What’s the catch?”

“There’s travel involved,” Evelyn said in a rush. “A lot of it. I’d still be based out of Portland, but likely be on the road for months at a time.”

Something cold settled in Jo’s chest. “Wow,” she said after a moment to collect her thoughts. “That’s… something.”

“I wanted to tell you sooner,” Evelyn said, stepping closer again. “I did. I just didn’t know how. And then everything with the break-in, and the barbeque, and well…” She trailed off, biting her lip. “I was afraid it would change things.”

Not ready to accept the churn of emotions inside her, Jo shrugged. “You gotta do what’s best for you,” she said. “Congratulations.”

Clearly surprised at the calm response, Evelyn blinked. “Jo—”

“No, seriously,” Jo interrupted, forcing a smile. “It’s okay. We’re not…” She gestured vaguely between them. “We’re not anything official.”

“That’s not what I—” Evelyn started.

Holding up a hand, Jo cut her off again. “I mean, we’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of weeks,” she said, still smiling, but it was starting to feel brittle. “It’s not like I expected you to plan your life around me.”

“That’s not what I’m doing either,” Evelyn said, taking a step back.

“Good,” Jo said, nodding. “Then you should take the job.” There was a long silence, and a part of Jo felt like a door was slowly closing.

Evelyn’s eyes searched Jo’s face, looking filled with a mix of emotions. “That’s it?” she asked quietly. “Simply congratulations and good luck?”

Jo looked away. “You’re smart, Evelyn. You’ve worked hard. You deserve this.”

“Right,” Evelyn said, her words sounding tight. “Okay.” Jo couldn’t bring herself to look at her again. If she did, she didn’t trust what she might say. She heard Evelyn sigh. “I should go,” I have a lot to think about.”

Still not meeting her eyes, Jo nodded. “Yeah,” she said. “Of course.”

Evelyn lingered for a second longer, like she was waiting for something, anything, but Jo didn’t move.

Finally, Evelyn turned and walked toward the exit, her footsteps echoing through the garage.

When she was gone, Jo let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Her chest felt tight. Her stomach felt hollow.

She rubbed a hand over her face. “What the hell was that?” she murmured before turning back to the Subaru, grabbing the wrench, and bending over the engine.

She focused on the rusted bolt, hoping for a distraction, the metal groaning as she forced it loose.

Why did I act like that? she thought. She told me something real.

She opened up. And I shut down . She paused her work.

But it’s easier this way. Growling in frustration, she started on the bolt again.

This is why I don’t do serious. The bolt finally gave with a sharp jolt, and Jo swore as she banged her knuckles on the engine block.

“Whoa,” a voice behind her said. Jo turned to see Mica standing at the edge of the bay. “Did that bolt insult your mother?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, and Jo sighed.

“Don’t start.”

Disregarding Jo’s warning, as always, Mica stepped closer. “I saw Evelyn out the window getting in her car,” she said. “She didn’t look happy.”

Jo busied herself wiping the spot of blood from her knuckle. “She’s got a job offer,” she said without looking at Mica. “A big one. She will travel all over the place, which means she won’t be here.”

“Oh. Shit.”

“Yeah,” Jo muttered. “She told me. I said congratulations.”

Mica stared at her. “That’s it?” she asked, and Jo looked hard at her.

“What else was I supposed to say?”

“I don’t know,” Mica said. “Something that doesn’t make her feel like a one-night stand?”

Tossing aside the rag, Jo watched it miss the workbench and fall to the ground. That feels about right, she thought. I’m missing the mark on everything. “It’s not like that,” she finally said with a huff.

“Then what is it like?” Mica asked. “Because from where I’m standing, you let someone who clearly cares about you walk out of here thinking you don’t give a damn.”

Shaking her head, Jo didn’t want to explain the details of her relationship with Evelyn to Mica. “It’s complicated. Okay?”

“No. It’s not okay and it’s not that complicated,” Mica said, crossing her arms. “You’re scared. She matters. And that freaks you out.” Jo looked away. Mica softened. “Look. You’re allowed to feel things, Jo. You’re allowed to want her to stay close.”

Not responding, Jo stared at the open garage door and the street beyond it, trying to understand what she felt. Is Mica right? she wondered. Should I have asked her to stay? She blew out a frustrated breath. “I’ll think about it,” she muttered.

“Good. But don’t wait too long,” Mica said. “Or you’ll lose your chance.”

Evelyn gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her knuckles white as she pulled away from Jo’s garage.

Keeping her eyes on the road, she clenched her jaw, trying to keep her breathing steady, but her throat was tight.

That’s it? she thought. That’s all she had to say?

She blinked hard, the sting of tears already threatening as Jo’s voice echoed in her head.

“You should take the job. You’ve worked hard.

You deserve this.” No fight. No hesitation.

No “I want you to stay” or “Let’s figure it out.

” Only a polite brush-off, like Evelyn had told her she was going to Seattle for the weekend, not that she might be gone for months.

Long enough for everything between them to fade into nothing.

Knowing she wasn’t focused enough to drive, she turned into a grocery store lot.

After throwing the car into park, she slumped back in her seat and stared at the dashboard.

She didn’t know what she had expected. A plea?

she wondered. A promise? Something that matched what we shared, what we said with our bodies, if not yet with words.

Rubbing her burning eyes, Evelyn tried to calm herself as her anger grew along with her hurt.

But Jo looked at me like none of it mattered.

She blew out a frustrated breath. So fine then.

She reached for her phone with trembling fingers and scrolled to Dr. Wong’s contact. Closing her eyes, she pressed CALL before she could talk herself out of it. The line rang once. Twice. “Dr. Wong.”

“Hi, it’s Evelyn,” she said, her voice tight. “I’ve made my decision.”

There was a pause, and then, “Yes?”

“I’m accepting the offer,” Evelyn said, her voice a little stronger now. “I’d like to move forward with the new position.”

“Excellent. I’ll inform the board,” Dr. Wong said. “We’ll begin transition planning immediately.”

“Thank you,” Evelyn said. “I’ll be in tomorrow to go over any paperwork.”

She ended the call before Dr. Wong could say anything else and stared at the screen. Then, she opened her messages and sent a text to her sister. “Told Jo. She took it fine, I guess. I also called Dr. Wong. Took the job. It’s done.”

Hesitating a moment longer, she opened a new text to Jo. “Thank you for understanding. I’ll still help with the block party, of course.”

The reply from Jo came back a minute later. One word. “Sure.”

Evelyn stared at it. Her chest clenched.

That’s all I get? she wondered. Sure . Tears blurred her vision.

Dropping the phone into the passenger seat, she pressed the heel of her hand against her mouth as the first sob slipped out.

Then another. And another. She cried for the weight of the decision, for the way Jo hadn’t tried to stop her, for how deeply it hurt to realize the person you were falling for wasn’t ready to fall too.

Sitting in her car in the parking lot, she cried until she couldn’t anymore, and the pain was nothing but a dull ache.

Wiping her face with a Kleenex from the glovebox, she stared out the windshield at the other cars in the lot.

I made the right choice. I have to do what’s best for me.

But her voice was shaky, even in her own head.

Unable to focus on the tire rotation that was next on the to-do list, Jo simply stared at the lug nuts like they were written in a foreign language.

Her brain spun too fast to follow one clear thought.

I said all the right things, didn’t I? She knew she had said the supportive, mature things.

“You gotta do what’s best for you . ” Jo turned and put the air impact gun aside.

And really, what else was there? Please stay?

I want more? She shook her head as she walked away from the car.

No way. That’s not me. Without thinking, she grabbed her keys from the hook by the office door, shrugged on her leather jacket, and headed outside.

Mica poked her head out the window as Jo mounted her bike.

“Where are you going?” Mica called.

“Out,” Jo said shortly. “I need you to finish that tire rotation and then lock up.” She jammed her helmet on and kicked the bike into gear. The engine roared to life beneath her, and she took off down the street before Mica could press for more answers.

Heading across town, she weaved through traffic easily.

She refused to think about Evelyn. She didn’t want to think about how the woman’s voice cracked slightly when Jo had brushed her off.

She didn’t think about Evelyn’s text. “Thank you for understanding. I’ll still help with the block party, of course.

” She didn’t think about the single word she’d sent back.

“Sure.” Instead, she focused on the road.

Until a familiar neighborhood came into view.

She pulled up in front of the small, tidy house with the lawn neatly trimmed.

Mr. Diaz’s place. After turning off the engine, she sat for a moment, trying to get up the courage to walk inside.

Finally, she swung her leg over the bike and headed up the walk to knock.

Jo heard heavy footsteps from somewhere in the house, and when the door opened, Mr. Diaz blinked at her, clearly surprised.

“Jo,” he said, his eyes narrowing with concern.

“Well, this is unexpected. Everything all right?”

“No,” Jo said. “Not really.” Mr. Diaz stepped aside without another word, and Jo entered the familiar home. This was a place where she always felt good and taken care of.

“Sit,” Mr. Diaz said, motioning to the worn recliner. Jo didn’t argue as Mr. Diaz disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, then returned with two bottles of beer. He handed one to her, then settled into the couch across from her. He made an appraising gaze then said, “Okay, talk.”

Taking a swallow of beer to help clear her throat, Jo stalled for time.

Finally, she sighed. “I was gonna wait until the block party to tell you,” she started.

“But it’s too much now.” The man didn’t reply.

Only waited. “You know all about the break-in at the shop. How they took a bunch of parts, tools, equipment. Expensive stuff I can’t easily replace. ”

“Yes,” he said. “How could I forget?”

“Right,” Jo replied, forcing herself not to squirm. “Well, I wasn’t super concerned because I thought the insurance would cover it.”

“And it didn’t?”

Jo shook her head. “Not all of it,” she answered. “Turns out there were exclusions I didn’t know about. I’m out thousands.”

For a beat, Mr. Diaz didn’t speak, and Jo drank again, waiting. Finally, he let out a sigh. “I see,” he said, and Jo looked at him.

“I’ve been brainstorming ideas to raise the money though,” she said. “And I’ve got a plan.”

Mr. Diaz’s brow furrowed. “That’s why you want to do a block party?”

“Yeah,” Jo said. “Evelyn suggested it. Community event. Raffle, food, car washes. Get people to donate.”

“It’s a good idea,” Mr. Diaz said, nodding slowly.

Jo exhaled. “Yeah, it is,” she said. “But if I’m still short. I will sell the Mustang.”

That made Mr. Diaz sit up straighter. “The Fastback?” he asked, and Jo nodded.

“I don’t want to, but…”

“No,” Mr. Diaz said. “You shouldn’t have to.”

“I don’t know what else to do.”

They sat together in silence for a moment, drinking their beer, until Mr. Diaz leaned forward and patted Jo on the knee.

“You know, when I gave you that shop, it wasn’t only because you were good with a wrench,” he said.

Jo looked at him. “I gave it to you because you gave a damn. You cared about the people. You cared about doing it right. That’s what mattered to me.

” Jo felt her throat tighten, and she didn’t trust herself to speak.

Mr. Diaz shook his head. “You’re not failing. You’re just facing something hard.”

Clearing her throat, Jo nodded. “Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot to me.”

Mr. Diaz gave her a look. “It should,” he said before breaking into a grin. “Now, tell me how Rosa and I can help. I’m assuming you’ve got Mica onboard, and your new girlfriend is ready to make it all happen.”

Looking at her beer before she answered, Jo was not sure how to respond. Her text said she would still help , Jo thought. Girlfriend or not, I believe her. Finally, she looked at Mr. Diaz. “Of course.”