gut from Seraphine.
“Be nice,” she scolds.
“I’m always nice.”
“Be nicer, then.”
“If you two are done,” Rodger grouses, paper coffee cup in hand. “Maybe we can get to work?”
Chapter Fifteen
Seraphine
The door chimes and I greet the newcomer without looking up from the computer screen. “Welcome to Dave’s. I’ll be right with you.”
“It’s you.”
I lift my eyes from the screen in time to see a tall, fit guy around my age eyeing me. There’s something familiar about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“Um…” is all I can say, because while he seems to know me, I think I know him, my brain is struggling to connect the dots.
“You don’t remember me?” He gives me puppy dog eyes.
I shimmy my shoulders in a shrug. “You’re familiar, but I can’t seem to place you.”
“That’s okay.” He grins and I shudder. Something about him makes me feel on edge. “I’m happy to remind you. I’m Cliff.”
It’s obvious he’s waiting for some kind of response; only, I’m not sure what. He clearly knows me, so it’s not my name he’s waiting for.
“Well, it’s um, nice to see you again. How can I help you today?”
His eyes light and my stomach drops. “I can think of fifty different ways, but let’s start with my truck, sugar.”
I blanch at the unwanted nickname. Who does this guy think he is? “What about it?”
“I got a new one, it needs a lift kit, wheels, tires, brush guard, the works.”
“Oh.” I nod my head. “We’re only doing maintenance for the time being. I’m not sure when the custom side of things is set to open, but I can take your name and number?”
“Come on, sugar. Put me on the books.”
“We’re not accepting anyone for resto or customizations yet.”
He plants his hands onto the desk and leans into my space. “Then let me take you to make up for it.”
I discreetly look around the shop for Mateo or one of the guys, but there’s no one. “Oh, um, I don’t think…”
He reaches out, as if to touch me, and I take a small step back.
“Say yes, sugar. I promise we’ll have a good time. And hey, you like cars… I’ll let you look under my hood if you let me under yours.”
Wow, that’s forward. And gross. “I think I’m busy.”
His eyes narrow. “I haven’t said when.”
Crap! I try to backpedal; he seems like the kind of guy you don’t want to cross. “I just meant with the shop opening, long hours, you know… busy with work and stuff.”
“Come on, now. You can’t be all work and no play.” He pulls his phone from his pocket. “Let me take you to dinner tonight. You gotta eat, right?”
I shift uncomfortably on my feet. Why can’t this guy take a hint?
“Tonight?” I suck in a breath through my teeth. “Tonight—”
“Tonight won’t work,” Mateo says, startling me. I have no clue where he came from but I am so freaking glad he’s here.
Cliff’s entire face hardens as he glares at Mateo with the kind of anger reserved for mortal enemies. “And why’s that?”
Mateo wraps an arm around my waist and draws me into him. “Because we have dinner with my family tonight, don’t we mariposita?”
I quickly nod my head, all too eager to play along.
“Then another night.”
“No.” Mateo releases me and moves me slightly behind him. “No other night. Not today, not ever. Unlike you and your friends, I know something of value when I see it and I don’t share. Now, get out of here before I call the cops on you for harassing my girlfriend.”
Butterflies, moths, birds, an entire menagerie of winged creatures all take flight and rip through me at his use of the G-word. I know it’s only a part of his ruse, but my God, it feels good to hear.
“Thought she was a close family friend?”
“Guess we grew closer,” Mateo deadpans.
Cliff clucks his tongue as he turns toward the door. “You’re not worth the fight anyway.”
“¿Qué, pendejo?” Mateo says, his voice a lethal mixture of disbelief and fury. “What was that?”
The unwanted patron turns back toward us, his feet rooted where he stands, as his lips tip up into a grotesque smile. “I said your girlfriend” —he makes sure to emphasize the word— “isn’t worth the fight. I can get ass without the baggage. Ain’t no pus—”
It’s like a thread snaps and Mateo lunges over the counter, grabbing a fistful of Cliff’s shirt and hauling him close. “You will not speak of her like that. Like she’s a