Page 10 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

“It is. Rare, too,” I said.

“Mom says motorcycles are dangerous,” the little girl said, staring at me with wide, green eyes. “It drives herca-razy. And all the men in our family are stuck on them.”

All the men in our family.

I glanced between Skye, noting the gold, diamond solitaire on her finger. Troy didn’t wear a ring. I’d noticed that the first time I met him, but then, Troy worked a lot with his hands. He probably pulled the ring off for work. Were he and Skye married?

Probably. And this must be their daughter. I felt a sudden flush of embarrassment for asking Troy for drinks. Admittedly,I didn’tknowif Troy understood that I had romantic intentions. He was hard to read.

“Are they?” I asked, returning to the little girl’s question. “I’m the only person in my family who likes them.”

“Yeah,” Troy said. “On both sides.”

They had to be married.

He was a lucky man; Skye was a total bombshell. Not that Troy was bad looking either. He was quite handsome in a rugged, mountain man kind of way, and at our first meeting, I might’ve stared more at his broad shoulders than I should’ve. Either way, I needed to rein in any romantic interest and sexual intentions, of which I had many.

“So, you come from a long line of motorcycle connoisseurs, I see.”

“I wouldn’t call them that,” Troy replied.

“I would,” Skye said. “So, what brings you to the shop, Seth?”

“Do you mean generally?”

“I mean, are you new in town? I come here pretty often, dropping Jess off, so I know most of the regulars,” Skye replied, gesturing to the little girl.

Well, atfirst, I’d just been looking for a replacement for Mallory’s. But then, I’d seen Troy. Who was, unfortunately, married. Not that something like that would stop me from coming. Troy really does good work.

“I’mhopingto bea regular,” I replied. “I like to support small businesses; you see. I used to have my own mechanic, and I suppose I could—”

“Your own mechanic?” Jess asked, furrowing her brow.

“Sure. He lived on my parents’ estate.”

I paused, wondering if I should’ve worded that another way. Obviously, I knew that most people didn’t come from money, and sometimes, I felt as though I came off as obnoxious about it, even though I didn’t intend to. And there were alwaysmisconceptions and misunderstandings. I didn’t want Troy and Skye thinking I lived like the hero in some sort of historical bodice ripper.

“It’s not nearly as grand as it sounds,” I added. “It’s out in Santa Monica.”

Skye let out a sharp, little laugh. “That sounds much grander than my cramped apartment. We’re looking at moving into something larger, but rent is insanely high in Bluehaven.”

I really didn’t, though. I lived in a penthouse, and all the payments came automatically out of my bank account. God, I didn’t even know how much my rentwas.

“It’s ridiculous,” Troy muttered.

Skye nodded. “Anyway, I should be going. Eric doesn’t like to be kept waiting. I’ll see you later.”

She placed a quick kiss on Troy’s cheek and went back to the driver’s side of her car. “Bye, Seth!” she declared, giving me a small wave.

“Bye,” I echoed, putting my hands in my pockets.

Troy squeezed Jess’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go set up shop inside? I’m going to finish looking over Seth’s bike with him. Then, I’ll come back in. We can sneak you a soda from the customer fridge if Arthur isn’t looking.”

“Okay!” Jess chirped. “Nice meeting you, Seth!”

I winked. “You, too, Princess!” I replied.

Her light-up pink sneakers flashing as she skipped inside.