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“Ah, alright. I guess I should come back again later?”

“Well, if the light comes back on, I might have to order a new part. I can overnight it though, if it comes to that. Unfortunately, she’s been having trouble passing the diagnostic, so this is my last try without a new install.”

“I figured it wouldn’t be simple. I guess I’ll just find myself a hotel for the night, my girlfriend is pregnant so she’s not gonna want to hang around to get an answer. Thanks man.” He holds his hand out to shake mine again.

“Yeah, I get it. Get her somewhere comfortable. I’ll make sure this is good for you guys to get on the road tomorrow by noon, no matter what,” I promise.

He nods and smiles again, turning the corner back to the lobby and heading out of the shop, the bell ringing as he goes.

Well, I definitely don’t want to cut any corners if he has a pregnant girlfriend riding in this. It’s safer just to replace the part. I wonder if I have a spare fitting. I walk to one of my workbenches when the bell chimes again. “Coming,” I call out, turning back around to the lobby. Surprising amount of business for a weekday.

“Sorry, I know it’s kind of late in the afternoon now, but I was wondering if you could take a look at my car? Or maybe I can leave it here and come back tomorrow?” It’s a middle-aged woman, looking like she’s in a rush.

“Yeah, it will have to be tomorrow, I can give you a call just—here” I say as I walk over and grab a notepad on the counter and a pen for her. “Write your name and number down and leave me the key. I’ll take a quick look tonight to see and call you in the morning.”

She jots her number down on the page, and thanks me as she rushes back out.

Alright. Guess I’m busy ‘til the weekend. I walk outside and open the garage and pull in the old van. I toss the keys on a workbench and then close the garage again, making sure I lock it since I have no plans to move any cars again tonight. I go back to my workbench to find the fitting, and then I hear my bell ring again.

The fuck? Now who would be coming here?

I sigh as I turn and walk back to the lobby. “Hey, I⁠—”

Shit. Fuck. No. No no no no no. This can’t be happening.

My stomach sinks when I see that bright copper hair. Those same doe eyes stare right at me again. She’s about to speak, but I hold my hand up. I instinctively move forward, rushing past her to look outside and check for cop cars. When I see nothing, I lock the door and shut the blinds.

I run my hand over my face. “You have to be kidding me,” I somehow manage to say, my heart racing as I turn to face her.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to come and apologize for um, surprising you. Maybe it was a bad idea, but I didn’t have any other way.” Her sweet voice is much steadier than it was last night, but I can see that her breathing is uneven. The rise and fall of her chest is shallow, and I can’t help but notice the top of her breasts threatening to spill over her low-cut shirt with each breath out.

Fuck, focus Kane. Do not check out the stalker.

She holds her hand out, showing me some sort of fucking cupcake.

“I actually work at a little bakery a town over so…I mean I’m a baker! Well, mostly a decorator. But I made this for you as a peace offering so maybe we can start over.” She holds it out more, and I stare down at it. The cake is chocolate with chocolate icing, green sprinkles, and placed in a camouflage liner.

“Is this a joke?” I ask.

“Uh, no?”

“Why is it camo?”

“You were in the military…right?”

How can she know that? How the fuck is she even here? How much does she know?

“Yes, but how would you know that?”

“Oh! Well, I noticed your boots and your dog tags in that photo that was released.”

Shit, seriously? If she came to that conclusion and noticed, then there must be others. Including police. I don’t answer, staring at her without a word because how in the ever-loving fuck am I supposed to handle this?

“So, do you like sweets?” she asks with a smile. A beautiful smile. Unfortunately, one that is going to get me fucking arrested.

“No.”

“Oh.” Her face falls. “I can bring you something else then! I mean, maybe you like savory buns or croissants?”