Page 4 of Tattered Souls (Whispering Falls #2)

She smiled, “Really?”

I nodded, “Yeah. Something changes or happens before then. Text me. Okay?”

“I umm, I don’t have your number.”

Inwardly, I smiled.

Part of my plan, done.

Getting her number.

I tagged my phone, and then pulled up a text, and handed it to her. “Type your number in.”

Once she did, I sent her a text and typed a name for her contact info.

Me – This is the sexy Griggs sibling.

When she opened her phone after it pinged, I watched as her face flushed.

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to hear her thoughts right in that very moment.

I watched as she bit her lip and texted something.

Then my phone vibrated.

I looked down at it, and chuckled.

Tatum – You sure that ego of yours will know what’s wrong with my car?

“I got it, Tatum,” I told her.

She smiled up at me as she pocketed her phone. “Okay, I’ll see you on Monday. Thank you, Garrick.”

I winked, “Any time, Tatum.”

And then I watched her the entire way until she got in her car.

If I said I was only watching her ass as she walked, I’d be lying.

Found you, sweetheart.

Going to make sure you make it to your car okay.

***

Tatum – Hey, it’s Tatum. Are we still good for in the morning?

Me – Yeah. When you get here, just pull into the first bay. Okay?

Tatum – Got it. Thank you, Garrick.

Me – Always.

Rita, our receptionist, was going over the cars we were working on today when her face scrunched. “Why in the world are we working on a twenty-twelve?”

Knowing what she was talking about, I said, “It’s a friend.”

She nodded, then shrugged.

Once we had everything ironed out and a plan in place, I stood and followed Dom, Leo, and Dain out to the garage. Chance was off today.

“Need to move this car,” I told them.

“Want to tell me why we’re moving this car from this bay? It’s scheduled to be done this afternoon.” Dom asked.

I looked at him and said, “Tatum’s car is making a weird noise; she’s bringing it in here in a bit.”

At my words, he simply nodded.

And that was all there was to it.

Then I got into the driver’s seat, while Dom, Leo, and Dain got in the front of it to push it out.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw her car pull into the lot, and I heard it. That sound. Pretty sure it was her timing belt, but I wouldn’t know for sure.

Once she pulled into the bay, she lowered the windows and felt my lips tug into a smile at the sight of her.

“Well, hey there, stranger. Fancy seeing you here,” I teased.

She giggled.

Then she opened her door and climbed out, and I had to swallow my tongue.

Jesus fucking Christ.

She had on short denim cutoff shorts and a black halter top.

Her hair was up in one of those messy bun things, with a few pieces falling around her face.

And then... I watched as those sable eyes of hers flare, and then she bent down low to grab something. Thankfully, with her back to me, I was able to reach down and adjust my cock.

Fuck. Me.

When she straightened, she had a small Tupperware container in her hand. “Talked to Talia, told her what you were doing for me. She said you like homemade Rice Krispies treats. So, I made you some. Regular, chocolate, and fruity pebble ones.”

I took the container from her and winked, “Thank you, Tatum. As soon as I wash my hands, I’ll eat them.”

She nodded.

I headed over to my toolbox, set the container down, and when Leo moved to it with eyes wide and a smile, I pointed my finger at him, “Touch that and I’ll shove my foot up your ass.”

The fucker actually pouted.

Talia giggled, then said, “I have more at home. I can bring them by.”

I lifted a brow at her. “Did you make them for me?”

She bit her lip and nodded.

To that, I said, “Then those are mine too. Make another batch for them.”

She giggled again.

I walked to her car, opened the door, and popped the latch on her hood.

Once I had the hood up, I looked at what I thought was wrong with it, and thankfully, I was right.

However, it was going to be a bitch to get it done.

“I was right. It’s your timing belt. Usually, it takes about three to five hours.” I told her.

She winced and then sighed, “I know you're super busy. Umm, do you know of another garage I can take my car to that will do it right and won’t charge me an arm and a leg?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Did I say we were busy?”

She looked at all the cars in the bays, and the ones in the lot, and then looked back at me, “No, but it looks like it.”

I winked at her, “If you’ve got time and can hang out, I’ll get it done.”

She looked at her phone, knew she was thinking of the time, and then smiled, “Sounds good. Thank you, Garrick.”

Even if we had been swamped, I wasn’t going to let anyone else work on her car but me.

Besides, looking like she does, no way in hell would I ever send her to Toque’s.

Torque’s was our rival of sorts. It was owned by Boone Graham over in Clover Valley. If he did a build, we tried to beat him. And vice versa. It was all in good fun.

Dom walked over to us and lifted his chin at her, “I’ll help.”

I whistled, and the men turned their heads to look at me. I looked at Dain. “Do me a solid? Go grab the chair from our office for her.”

She immediately said, “Oh no. It’s fine. I can sit on that stool.” She gestured to the rolling stool that was off to the side.

I shook my head, “It’s dirty as fuck.”

Dain came back moments later with the chair and smiled at her.

Once she shook her head and then sat down in it, Dom and I got to work.

I looked over a few times at her and saw that she was reading something on her phone.

“What are you reading?” I asked.

She looked up and smiled. “This new book. One of my favorite authors released a few weeks ago.”

“What is it?” I asked.

Her brows furrowed, then hesitantly she said, “ Shattering Nash by Amelia Shea.”

I nodded.

I caught her eyes a few times and winked when it happened.

Seeing the blush on her face... that was so worth it.

Two and a half hours later, we were done with her car.

She paid Rita, then thanked us and left.

Dom just got finished wiping his hands off when he asked, "You’re going to be here late. Why didn’t you tell her that in order to fix it, you were going to be working late?”

I looked at him and lifted a brow.

He sighed, “Got it.”

I chuckled and then pulled out my phone and typed the book and the name in my search bar. Seeing it, I screenshotted it and then got back to work.

***

Four hours later, I saw her car pull up. She left the motor running as she opened the door, tagged two containers, and then got out.

She raced over to Leo and handed him one of the containers. Then she looked around and when she saw me, she smiled and then raced over to me and then bypassed me and set the other container on my toolbox.

Then she walked to me, smiled, and speed walked back to her car.

Me – Tell me you didn’t make a special trip here just to bring those?

Tatum – Ummm.

Me – Tatum...

Tatum – Fine. Yes. I did. But I was in a hurry. I had to get back so I could Skype with my brother.

Me – Got it. Next time, don’t come by when you're in a hurry.

Tatum – Why not?

Me – Cause seeing you is good, but talking to you is better.

She didn’t reply to that.

Fine.

I was a big boy.

And there it was again, that gut feeling that I needed to be patient.

For Tatum... I would be patient.

***

Four hours later, I was eating the Rice Krispie Treats and reading the book.

I had to admit... it was pretty fucking good.

Would it be stalking to buy some of these authors books and give them to her for a present?

Maybe.... did I care?

Not one damn bit.