His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,34
go home at five o'clock." Banks poured the coffee into a grease-and-oil-stained mug he'd used all day. "Do we have the part?"
"Already on the rack." She looked through the window into the garage.
"Good." He walked toward the door. "Do me a favor and call the clubhouse. See if Paco can swing by and lend a hand tonight. I want Cody's car done and out of here by morning before he ruins my fucking weekend."
"Okay." She waited until Banks left and then let her back bow in dread.
She hadn't seen or heard from Paco in two weeks. He'd stayed true to his word and wanted nothing to do with her. Considering how he'd treated her when she tried to help him at his house, she hoped he stayed away for good.
It hurt to even think about him, much less see him.
She wasn't sure if she was a fool for seeing something different in him or blind to the real man behind the drinking and drugs.
Either way, she was the one hurting. He was probably on to his next woman, his next drug, his next good time.
Blowing out her breath, she picked up the phone, found the number for the clubhouse, and dialed. The call connected. Loud music blared into her ear several seconds before a gruff voice came over.
"Is Paco there?" she asked.
"Let me look." The music filtered through the phone.
Her foot bounced under the desk, imagining him there with another woman. Glancing at the clock, she timed him.
Five minutes later, Paco said, "Yeah?"
"This is Banks' Body Shop. Banks wanted me to ask if you could come by after closing today?" Her pulse throbbed in her neck.
All it'd taken was one word in his deep voice to get her going. She held her breath, knowing if he spoke a complete sentence, she'd probably lose the control to hold back her tears.
She was going to treat him as if he was a business associate. Professional and courteous. Whatever had gone on between them was over. She was working.
She would not fall apart. She would not ask how he is doing. She would not—
"Josie?"
"This is Banks' secretary. He wanted me to call." She cupped her forehead. The conversation was ridiculous. She shouldn't be the one who had to act differently.
He cleared his throat. "Tell him I'll be there."
"I will. Goodbye." She slammed the phone down in the receiver, unable to hold back her frustration. A lot of good that had done her. He probably couldn't hear her rudeness over the music blaring in the background.
She walked out to the garage, passing the message to Banks. Then, she went back to her desk to work.
By the time the clock turned five o'clock, she had the top of her desk cleaned off and held her purse at her side. She wanted to get out of here before Paco showed up.
Hurrying to the garage, she opened the door and stuck her head inside. She caught Slick's attention. "I'm leaving now. The answering machine is on."
"See you tomorrow, Josie." He lifted his hand.
She smiled and turned to walk through the building when the door at the other end of the hallway opened, and Paco walked in. Caught between running back into the garage to avoid him and knowing he headed straight toward her, she stood her ground. By the time he was within ten feet of her, she had found her courage and walked forward.
Nodding, instead of saying hello, she continued to the door. She went straight outside without looking back. The sight of his motorcycle put her in a funk. He hadn't even spoken to her or stopped walking.
She opened her car, threw her purse on the passenger seat, and got behind the steering wheel. Whatever.
Fuming, she went straight to Lainier's Towing and parked outside the gate to wait for Cami. Less than two minutes later, Cami hurried toward her.
The slight breeze pressed Cami's shirt to her front. Her mood drastically improved. The baby bump obvious to anyone looking.
"Thank you so much for coming with me to the doctor's appointment." Cami fanned her face before opening the window. "I'm nervous."
"Don't be." Josie smiled at her. "You'll get to hear the baby's heartbeat."
"I know." Cami put her hand on her stomach. "It's so exciting."
"Maybe you'll get one of those ultrasounds and can find out the sex."
"Oh, remind me to ask about that when I'm there." Cami pointed. "You turn right at the light, and you'll see the building. You can park right out front."