child.” She gives a shrug like that explains it all. “Well,” she frowns, “I guess technically I’m not, but I never grew up with siblings.” We head toward the checkout and her eyes light up at the floral section. “Plants!” She shrieks like a kid on Christmas. “Ooh, I have to get one.” I pull the cart to the side, letting people go around us as Zoey squeals over the various plants. “I’m getting this one,” she decrees.
“That’s a peace lily.”
She gives me a puzzled look. “Yes.”
“Aren’t those for funerals?”
“They’re for anything, Cole, and I want one. I like plants. I’m impressed you know what a peace lily is.”
“My mom worked at a flower shop.” She nods as she absorbs this information. “Do you want any more plants while you’re here?”
She eyes them and picks a white orchid. “This one. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for the plants separately.”
“I wasn’t worried about your plants, Zoey.”
Though, I suppose I should be since it’s not like I have a ton of spare money sitting around.
We checkout and load the groceries in the back of her car. I get in the passenger seat, my legs cramped even with the seat all the way back. At my height I’m used to squeezing my body in small spaces.
I give Zoey directions to the auto shop, which isn’t far and have her park in front of the building.
“You’re going in with me?” She eyes me when I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Yeah. Thought I’d make the introduction since I’m the one vouching for you.”
She wrinkles her nose, displeased at my involvement but she’s going to have to deal. I unfold my body from the car and head to the door.
Zero-2-Sixty is a small auto shop in the middle of the old town outside of Aldridge. It’s definitely seen better days—the brown paneling in the front office reminds me of the seventies along with the puke green fabric covered chairs for customers to wait on.
Still, despite the appearance, the place is always busy.
“We’re booked,” Joe gruffs, eyes glued to the computer screen and clicking madly at the mouse.
“It’s me, Joe.”
“Cole,” he cajoles in his booming voice, raspy from all the cigarettes he smokes despite always claiming to have quit. “You’re not working today.”
“Nope.” I shake my head, moving aside so he can see Zoey behind me. “I brought someone who’s interested in the front office position.”
“Ah,” he brightens. “Cole, my boy, I can always count on you to save the day.”
“Hi. I’m Zoey.” She holds out her hand for Joe to take.
“Are you Cole’s girlfriend?”
Her eyes drift to me at his question, her top teeth pressing into her bottom lip. “No, we’re roommates. I’m new to town and looking for a job. Cole suggested this.”
“Good, I’m glad. I hate doing this shit.” He waves his fingers at the computer screen. “And don’t get me started on the phones. All these Karen’s calling expecting me to have an opening right away all ‘cause they got a nail in their tire.” He sighs. “You okay with computers? Phones? Customer service?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re hired.”
Zoey’s brows draw together. “That’s it? That was hardly an interview. Don’t you want to do a background check or something?”
Joe fiddles with his mustache. “You killed someone?”
“No.”
“Robbed a bank?”
“No.”
“Then that’s good enough for me.” He scratches at his stubble. “I assume you’re at the university too?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’ll work out a good schedule for you then. Anything will help me out. I’d rather be in the shop and much as I can. And don’t listen to anything this kid says,” he points a lazy finger at me, “I taught him everything he knows about cars.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Joe.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he dismisses me.
He takes Zoey’s phone number, promising to call her on Monday since the shop is closed on Sundays.
Back in her car, Zoey starts it up and after clearing her throat gives me a tiny smile. “Thank you for helping me with the job.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“You didn’t have to, though, so I want you to know I appreciate it.”
“It’s really not a big deal.” I don’t do well with praise, I never have—not even sure why.
She laughs. “Can you just say you’re welcome, Zoey, so we can move on?”
I crack a grin. “You’re welcome, Zoey.”
Back at the apartment, between the two of us we manage to carry up all the groceries in one trip. I set mine down, digging in my pocket for the key. Unlocking it, I let her inside first.
Zoey screams, dropping the bags in her