Mz Mechanic (3 page)

“I—.”

The DJ chose that second to turn up the music and a crowd of people rushed toward the dance floor when they recognized the song as an old favorite.

“There’s a quieter spot outside. On the balcony. If you care to join me…?”

She nodded and allowed him to lead the way.

The fresh night breeze was a breath of fresh air. The doors closed behind them, but the base from the speakers could still be heard on the outside. With only a few people loitering outside, it allowed for some much needed elbow room.

She rested her cup on the railing and turned to face Shawn. “After that, I not only wanted to start my life over but I also wanted to pursue my dreams. I knew that was important to my parents.” Several moments of complete silence passed, and he seemed to look to her for more explanation. “My education had already been paid for with the proceeds of a trust fund that had been set up years prior to their passing. He asked me once what I wanted to do with my life, and back then the answer was become a lawyer.”

“Big dreams and aspirations.” Shawn smiled. “We all had them, but you had the brains for it.”

“The brains, yes. But later I found it wasn’t truly what I wanted out of my life.” She glanced down at the wood grain patterns on the balcony. “But I wanted to follow through. I would have never let my father down, dead or alive.”

He arched both eyebrows. “You were really a lawyer?”

She chuckled. “I still have my license to practice, and a few clients still require consulting here and there.”

“You didn’t like the work? The climate? What happened? Why’d you decide to work as a mechanic?”

“This business is my true passion. All the things that come with being an entrepreneur are just the right amount of challenge for me. I’m my own boss. I set my own hours, and I make my business what I want it to be. In five years, I see Reilly’s expanding into more than just an auto body repair shop. I’ve already been meeting with investors and a potential partner to expand the Reilly’s brand to include the acquisition of a dealership and auto brokerage company.”

“You’ve got your work cut out for you, but looks like you’re really on top of things based on my observations at your shop.”

Alexia smiled. She was glad that someone saw some type of potential. “So, what troubles have you gotten yourself into over the years?”

He winked. “Trouble was my middle name. Not anymore. After a while, I got pretty serious when I realized that I needed to take control of my life.”

“You used to have no problems with attracting a crowd. Let me guess…are you in sales?”

“Pretty darned close.” He laughed. “I majored in finance in college and have been working in that industry ever since. I’m a financial advisor.”

“Really?” She stepped back a couple feet with her hands going to her hips on instinct. “I’ve been in the market for one of those. I’m not that savvy when it comes to investments.”

He held his arms open in emphasis. “Well, I am your guy.”

Alexia smiled. “This is great.” Who better to trust for financial advice than someone she knew if only just a tad.

“I…ummm…actually that’s why I ventured out to your car shop in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“You filled out some paper work and I was assigned to your account. Do you remember contacting an Edward Jacobs branch about financial investments?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.”

“I’m glad I stopped by the shop, Alexia,” he said. “I would have never known who you actually were.”

“I’m glad you did, too.”

Shawn leaned over the balcony and rested his elbows on the railings. Alexia did the same. In high school, they’d exchanged no more than four sentences, but tonight it felt like she’d known Shawn for ages. She needed a friend like that. One that she could talk to easily. Not that she was on his level or anything. She was still the smart little poor girl living on the other side of town whose dad had big dreams for his daughter. Alexia had big dreams for the Reilly business and she wanted to see them become reality.

“So, besides your business, what else have you been up to?”

“Just the business. I’m operating it and working there, basically. That’s all I have time for right now until I can hire more folks and we start the expansion.”

“Oh, come one…you don’t take time out to play?” he teased.

She shook her head. “Nah…never heard of it.”

“I hear ya. I’m working the sixty hour work week, so I’m no stranger to all work and very little play.”

“It’s rewarding though. To see your business take off so quickly.”

He turned, facing her again. “What about home life? I’m pretty sure your boyfriend misses you a lot.”

She grinned. “Are you asking me if I have a boyfriend or just assuming?”

“I’m asking,” he said, slowly.

“I’m not attached…to anyone.”

“Then you’re basically free with no one telling you when to come home or that you work too much.”

She glanced down at his left ring finger. There was nothing there. Not a mark, impression of a ring…nothing. “Sounds like you’re talking from experience. Disagreements with your significant other, maybe?”

“I’m not married.” He shook his head. “Never have been. Not attached either at the moment. But there have been others. Sixty hour work weeks and a love life just don’t mix.”

“And that I will agree with you on, Mr. Morgan.” Alexia knew this all too well. Even as a lawyer, her dating life was non-existence. She preferred it that way. There was no one to answer to and she wouldn’t ever have to worry about becoming too attached.

“Which reminds me…I have an event to go to tomorrow night. A chance to network with some business owners which may generate some leads for me and my firm.” He shrugged. “You know…one of those bring your spouse along events. I’d go, but—”

“Let me guess…” She pressed a pointer finger to her lip, pretending to be in deep thought. “You don’t have a date.”

Shawn threw his head back and laughed loudly. “Geez, you’ve turned into shy and timid to direct and feisty.”

“It’s the only way to be in this dog eat dog world. I learned along the way that if you let people run over you, they will.”

“You’re definitely right about that.” He nodded. “But look, I’m not trying to run over you…”

She lifted an eyebrow at him. “It’s better to be direct with me.”

“Alright.” He shrugged. “I’ll start over. I’d like to invite you with me to an event. A lot of business owners and industry professionals will be there.”

“I’ll have to think about it.”

His posture and surprised facial expression told Alexia that he wasn’t expecting that answer. “I’ll give you a moment, but I’ll need an answer by tonight.”

“I already have plans. I need to make sure that breaking them will be worth my time.”

“Oh,” he said, curtly. “I can assure you that attending with me will be well worth your time.”

“You’ve always been sure of yourself, Mr. Morgan.”

“I know what I’m capable of, Ms. Reilly.”

“Don’t speak to soon. I’ll have to see.”

“Does that mean you’ll come with me?” he asked, eagerly.

“Yes.”

Shawn’s smile was priceless, and she felt the corners of her own lips turning up in content.

Over an hour passed when Alexia realized that they were one of the few people remaining at the reunion. Evidently while they were outside on the balcony talking about almost everything under the sun that had occurred over the last decade, people ate, drank, enjoyed themselves, and began leaving. The time had whizzed by in a flash, but in this moment there was a feeling of comfort.

When the hotel staff began appearing to clean up, they took the hint and Shawn walked her to her car.

“I’ll pick you up around four. Thanks for agreeing to go.”

“No problem.” She fumbled for the key fob in her purse and unlocked the doors.

He pulled the door open for her. “Drive safe.”

His eyes seem to travel up the length of her leg as she got into the driver seat. She probably should have worn stockings with this short of a dress anyway.

“Goodbye, Shawn.”

“Goodnight, Alexia.”

The way he said her real name brought tingles up her spine. Warmth rushed to her cheeks and she turned to avoid his direct stare. The same man who could make her at ease with his smooth talk could also turn up the heat with one stare.

“What have I gotten myself into?” she whispered as she drove off.

Shawn took the elevator of the high rise condominium up to the sixteenth floor. Though relaxing, the elevator music playing through the speakers above reminded him of a carousel. He dragged his palms down the sides of his pants for the fifth time. As the numbers ticked by on the display, his attempt to hide his nervousness proved futile.

Why in the heck was he so nervous? He’d been on dates before. It had been years since they’d seen each other, but Alexia was barely a stranger to him. Yet, all day he couldn’t keep his mind off her and yearned for the intellect and conversation she offered last night.

Just before the elevator doors opened, Shawn glanced at his reflection in the shiny metal and tugged at his tie once more. Dragging his hand across his freshly shaven face, he suddenly wished he’d left the day old stubble intact. It made him look older and wiser, according to other women he’d dated in the past. He shook his head to rid himself of the women of his past and made his entrance onto Alexia’s floor.

Taking the cues from the directional signs posted on the wall just outside the elevator, he walked down the corridor to Alexia’s condo. As he rapped on the door, his heart sped up once again. He felt like he was meeting a business prospect on his very first assignment. That’d been years and years ago. He wasn’t a rookie anymore. Now he had the knowledge and confidence to know that what he offered was what the client needed. In his business, there was no room for error. He aimed to please every client to secure their future business.

Shawn had learned long ago that women weren’t like a business. You couldn’t run them like one. They were a whole different ball game. Each was unique…different. They came with their own positives, and unfortunately, with negatives as well. Some stressed him out more than one sixty hour work week. So, it surprised him last night when he became completely at ease with Alexia Reilly.

Just as he thought to knock a second time, she opened the door. The refreshing sight and scent of her greeted him all at once.

She grinned. “Hi.”

Her brown eyes sparkled as she took him in. He loved the way she wore her makeup. He couldn’t even tell if she had any on. Her natural beauty shined through and nearly took his breath away. Instead of the pinned up in curls that she wore at the reunion, her hair fell straight to her bare shoulders.

The ruby metallic one-shoulder dress clung to her curves like butter to bread, and he almost pinched himself for standing there like an idiot. She smelled of cucumbers and lemons. There was no other way to describe it. It was the same fusion of scents that he’d reminisced on the whole day. Could it have actually been her perfumes that calmed him or was it that mesmerizing voice of hers?

“Ummmm…am I too formal or what?” She held up her hands, palms up. “I can change into some—”

“No, no. Don’t change.” He took a step back and took the chance to admire her again. The heeled pumps she wore made her legs look like they went on for days. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Alexia looked at him incredulously. “Thanks, but you’re probably just saying that.” She motioned for him to come inside. “Can you wait inside? I need to take care of one more thing before we leave.”

Shawn couldn’t take his eyes away from her, but she finally disappeared into a room in her condo. As he waited, he took a look around. He’d always been able to tell a lot about a woman by where and how they lived. Yet, nothing about her decked-out, modern condo said mechanic. There were a few photos of old classic cars on the faux fireplace and a side table, but other than that there was no indication that she had a love for cars like they’d talked about.

He ventured into the kitchen, expecting to find the lemons and cucumbers he smelled all throughout her place. However, the kitchen was sparkling clean and there wasn’t any sign of food anywhere. It didn’t really look like the kitchen was being used. The stove and countertops were crumb-less. Dirty dishes…nowhere to be found. He could certainly use a lesson from her in neatness. If it wasn’t for the maid he hired on a weekly basis, his house would look like a disaster. Of course, he blamed it on his demanding job.

Stopping to glance at the refrigerator, he saw his reflection in the steel. On instinct, his hand went to his tie, and he tugged once more.

“Would you like something to drink?”

He turned to see Alexia standing in the kitchen with her clutch purse and keys in hand.

“No, I was just ogling your spotless kitchen,” he joked with a smile. “I envy you.”

She giggled, and then covered her mouth with her fingers to stop herself. “My maid left a few hours ago.”

“You too, huh?”

“I thought we’d discussed this already,” she teased. “Sixty hour work weeks and a spotless home just don’t mix…not unless you have a maid.”

He nodded. “I agree.”

“Should we leave, or would you like a tour of my place?”

Shawn glanced at his wristwatch. “We should leave since I arrived a few minutes late. My apologies. But I would really like a tour…” he lifted a brow in question at her “…when we get back, maybe?”

She gave him a suspicious look, and her forehead and nose crinkled slightly. “There’s not really much else to see.”

He was becoming fond of the cute faces she made at him. “I’m sure there’s a lot more to see.”

He thought he noticed a slight glow in her cheeks then, but he certainly didn’t miss the way she lowered her eyes in modesty.

“Let’s go, Mr. Morgan.”

“Lead the way, Ms. Reilly.”

***

Despite the casual conversation about the stock market on the way to the event, Alexia felt anxious. Although, she was at ease with Shawn most times when they were alone, they were only moments away from being surrounded by a bunch of unknowns. She was a true introvert and suddenly, the more she pondered it, the thought of the gathering intimidated her.