“All the guys called me. And they promised to have your back and keep Mason far away. So you have nothing to worry about. It will be fine. And you only have two more weeks until I’m back,” she pleaded.
“They called you?”
“Sure did. And they are totally on your side. They said that Mason has been the biggest asshole ever since you left.”
“He’ll probably be worse if he sees me come back.”
“Doubt it. Now are you a chicken or a lion?”
I really wanted to go back to the garage. I hated how I left things with Mason. I missed him even though he broke my heart. And I missed the guys. They were loyal and funny and had quickly become like a family to me. I wanted to go back. And I needed to try and talk to Mason again. I hated that he thought I had deceived him or planned any of this.
“Fine. If you promise to stop using analogies, I’ll pick the lion.” Because nobody wanted to be the chicken.
“Excellent. I knew you’d see the light. Now I have some calls to make.”
“Talk to you later.”
I put the phone on the kitchen counter and took another sip of my coffee. I guess I was going back to work tomorrow. Just as well. I was going stir crazy inside. David was always working and besides the few visits to the salon and spa to make myself presentable, I hadn’t left the house.
“You going back to work?” David asked, clearly having listened to my conversation.
“I’m going back tomorrow.”
He put down the paper he was reading and folded it up. “I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.”
I stopped my coffee cup halfway to my mouth. “Excuse me?”
“The garage is not the place a senator’s wife should be seen working.”
“You’re not a senator, so I don’t see the problem.”
He ignored my comment and forged on. “Stella, do I really have to spell it out for you? This looks bad if anyone finds out. You slumming it like that.”
“Slumming it? Are you kidding me?”
“No. I’m very serious right now. I want you to really think about this and hopefully come to the right decision.”
I took a sip of my coffee and put the cup back on its saucer. “Okay, I just thought about it, and I’m going back tomorrow. In fact, I should probably drop in today to get everything sorted and ready to go.”
“Stella,” he tried again but I was already gathering my dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.
“Just remember you agreed to this arrangement. And it comes with certain expectations.”
“I fully understand, and I won’t make you look bad. Besides, it’s only two more weeks.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea. I’ll see you tonight.”
I grabbed my coat off a hook by the door and went outside. I refused to give up my car, the only thing that I actually owned. It might not be much, but it was important to me to hold on to that last bit of independence. It was only a few years old; I didn’t need a new car.
I was in my usual get up; faded jeans and zip up hoodie. David made a face when he first saw me this morning but I ignored him. I had been told what to wear for most of my life. And every single item my mother had picked was uncomfortable and bland. Picking my own clothes was a freedom I cherished, and picking something that was comfortable a dream come true.
The commute for the next two weeks would suck, but at least I wasn’t stuck in the house anymore. The drive was boring and long. When I made it to the garage and parked in my usual spot I didn’t get out of my car. Instead I tried to stop my hands from shaking and my heart from trying to jump out of my chest. I didn’t think I could handle it if Mason was openly hostile again. Or if he yelled at me again.
I finally made my body move and walked into the office. As soon as I stepped inside my steps faltered. Maybe I should just come back tomorrow and use today to come up with a battle plan.
Landon was sitting at the desk, talking to a customer while typing something into the computer with one finger. It would take him all day to write one word at the speed he was going.
He jumped up when he saw me and opened his arms wide.
“My goddess is back.”
I walked into him and he closed his big paws around me, hugging me tight. “Thank God you came back,” he said and kissed my hair.
“Don’t like office work?” I asked and stepped back.
“There were a lot of things I didn’t like while you were away. Starting with no more donuts because nobody had time to go to Sweet Dreams.”
“I’ll make it the first item on my to-do list,” I promised and he grinned at me, flashing his dimple.
Landon put his arm around my shoulders and directed me to the desk, pointing at the guy in the visitor chair. “This is Frank. He needs to book his car in for a tune up. And he is all yours. Frank, this is the beautiful and smart Stella.”
I waved at Frank and sat down. “Hey, Frank, when did you want to bring your car in?”
“Hopefully in this century. Took this goof the better part of an hour just to find the right button to open the schedule.”
“I guess that’s my future job prospects gone. Well, good seeing you, Frank, despite you calling me a few bad words,” Landon said, not looking the least put out by his mishap. He backed away from the desk, winking at me.
“Yeah, yeah, good seeing you too,” Frank replied and waved Landon off when he disappeared through the door.
He turned to me and motioned to the computer. “Do you have anything next week?”
I checked the program and noticed a lot of the
