of these days we—”
“Yo, Fernando,” Orlando said before Fernando could finish that thought. “I need you out there in the shop. Got something I need you to help me with.” Orlando dropped the paper he’d been reading back onto the desk. He walked out to the shop area, motioning for Fernando to follow him, because he didn’t mean later; he meant now. As soon as they were outside and far away enough he was sure she couldn’t hear, he turned around to face him. “You hitting on the new hire?”
The guy smirked instantly. “Hell yeah, she’s got this sweet but hot-as-fuck demeanor like she doesn’t even know it—”
“Don’t,” Orlando said with a purpose. “She’s got a boyfriend and I don’t want any problems.”
Chuckling, Fernando shook his head. “Well, her boyfriend better watch himself. Letting that sweet but hot little thing work at an auto shop full of guys isn’t the smartest. I’m not the only one who’s been eyeing her.”
Orlando put his hand on Fernando’s shoulder and squeezed probably a little harder than he first intended. “Listen. I know we’ve never had any young girls working here, but there are sexual harassment laws. I’m not about to get sued because any of you dumb asses start sniffing around her and make her uncomfortable.” Fernando eyed him suspiciously like he knew this might be more than just Orlando’s fear of getting sued. But Orlando didn’t give a shit. Last thing he needed was for one of these idiots to come on too strong, make her uneasy, and have her walk.
“You want me to tell the guys?”
“You can,” Orlando said, taking his hand off Fernando’s shoulder and starting back to the lobby. “But I’ll be holding a team meeting when she leaves.”
As irritated as Fernando’s hell yeah response had made him, Orlando was smiling as soon as he walked back into the lobby. Danica smiled brightly at him as she held the phone to her ear. She had that same proud expression as she’d had earlier when she’d handled herself beautifully on the phone. Feeling the irrepressible pull her smile alone had on him, he was already headed her way.
Orlando reached the counter just as she hung up. “I see you’re getting it. Everything going good?”
“Everything’s fine.” She shrugged as she rolled her eyes slightly. “I can admit now I was nervous. Never worked with or around cars and such, but so far it’s been pretty self-explanatory.”
“Good—”
“Excuse me.” A heavyset woman smiled at Orlando apologetically for having interrupted then turned to Dani. “Can you tell me how long the wait would be right now to get an oil change?”
“Sure.” Dani got right to it, tapping at the keyboard in front of her.
Orlando’s phone rang, and with Dani being busy suddenly, he walked away to take the call from Felicia. He’d already noticed one missed call from her earlier. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I’m on my last break, and I just remembered why I called you earlier.”
As Felicia told him about the classic but beat-up car the attorney she worked with had just bought, Orlando tried to pay attention. But he kept glancing back in Dani’s direction. After the lady who’d asked about the oil change walked away, a guy had walked up to the counter to inquire about something. Minutes later he was still there, both arms resting on the counter as he leaned over and said something that had Dani laughing.” . . . this summer, right?”
Orlando shook his head, glancing away from Dani for a moment to focus on whatever it was Felicia was asking him. “What?”
“You said the expansion of the shop should be done by this summer, right? So, by then you’ll have more help and therefore the waiting list for the restorations won’t be as long?”
His eyes were back on Dani’s sweet smile, as she continued to chat with the guy at the counter. Orlando took the guy in, deciding he wasn’t anyone he recognized, but clearly his interest in conversing with Dani was more than just business the way he wolfishly smiled as he listened to whatever it was she was saying.
“Orlando?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.” Feeling like an ass, Orlando attempted to make sense of Felicia’s previous question. Why she was asking about the shop’s expansion. He didn’t realize how much he’d tuned her out.
“He’s not in a hurry.” She went on before he could answer. “He just wanted me to ask because he’s been doing his research and apparently has heard really good things about your shop.”
Taking