For the longest moment, the man looked as if he was about to say something, but instead only shook his head and offered his hand. “As you already know, I’m Spencer Knox. Thank you for agreeing to Georgia’s request to replace her.”
Josie swallowed hard and took his hand. “Josie Baird. Thank you for offering me this chance. You and Georgia. I won’t let you down. I can assure you I’m an honest and hard worker.”
At that moment, she closed her mouth to stop the flow of words. She always talked too much when she was nervous.
His hand was enormous and warm, calloused with all the hard work he did. It was strong and steady, and gave her a grounding sensation she hadn’t felt in a while. It was over way too soon when he stepped back and released her.
“Welcome to the team. I have things to do in my office, but if you need anything, let me know.” Cold, succinct, it seemed the man was still angry with what happened on the road two nights ago.
Georgia touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry about Spencer, he’s a grumpy bear, but he doesn’t bite. You’ll see what a sweet and lovely man he is once you get to know him.”
Josie wasn’t convinced that Spencer Knox could be sweet at all. There was a darkness in him. Something she’d experienced before, but this time, the beast within him seemed tightly leashed and contained. Nonetheless, it took a couple of silent breaths to get herself back under control. That moment of respite didn’t last long as a new voice boomed through the shop.
“If it isn’t the beautiful Georgia! Georgia, you’ve all I’ve been able to think about since yesterday!”
An unknown man waltzed in the front door, a box in his hand and a silly grin on his bearded face that she couldn’t help but respond to. He was similar in build to Knox, maybe a bit taller, and definitely younger but also extremely handsome. Taking in his handsome face, and amazing body, Josie once again squashed yet another unwanted attraction that burst to life.
Georgia seemed to lose her battle to frown and smiled at the man. “Mr.Gage! You’re a bright ray of sunshine for my last day on the job. For a little while at least.”
The man winked at Josie, put the baked goods on the counter before going to Georgia and putting a knee on the floor. “You just broke my heart, my lady. I can’t believe you’re going away when I just got here.”
His shenanigans made Josie giggle and if she wasn’t mistaken, Georgia even blushed a little. “Oh, stop that. I’m old enough to be your mother, maybe even your grandmother.”
Gage got up and towered over the older woman before leaning down to give her a peck on her cheek. “I know you mean it as a turn-off, but I’m strangely aroused.”
Georgia slapped him on his chest. “You silly boy. Josie, this reprobate is our new addition to the shop, Jonathan Gage. He’s taking over the body and paint shop. He’s from out of town and is a friend of Spencer’s.”
It was intimidating to have him zero his attention on her like that, but she squared her shoulders and plastered what she considered a soft smile on her face.
“I’ll be Georgia’s replacement for a little while.”
Something flashed in the swirling blue of the man’s eyes, a sort of assessment and attraction. She took another deep breath before dismissing it. There was no way he would be attracted to her. She was imagining things.
Gage took her offered hand, and she was surprised how his touch was gentle, almost tentative. To her surprise, there weren’t any jokes or come-ons, but instead a softness that was uncommon for a man of his size. “A pleasure to meet you, Josie. Don’t worry, I’m a low maintenance kind of guy so you won’t need to look after me.”
Just as she was starting to relax, a deep voice from the shop’s doorway made her jump. “Don’t listen to him, he’s a spoiled brat through and through. And be extra careful if he comes bearing gifts, that means he did something wrong.”
Josie turned to see Knox, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. He had only pulled on the bottom half of his coverall and was wearing a white shirt. There was a hint of a grin on his handsome face as he looked at his friend. Probably sensing her eyes on him, his gaze shifted and turned darker, making her shiver.
“If you’re done wooing the ladies, get your coffee and breakfast and come in the back. You’ve got some papers to fill out and I want to introduce you to the other two members of the crew. They should be here any minute.” Knox then disappeared without another word.
Gage sighed. “I’ve just stepped into the shop and he’s already acting like a slave driver.” He grabbed a cup and a handful of pastries from the box. “Feel free to have whatever you like. I think I’ve brought enough for everybody. Just don’t leave anything for Knox, would you? He doesn’t deserve it.”
With a donut in his mouth, and a couple more in his hand, Gage left with a final wink.
Shaking her head, Josie turned and caught Georgia’s obviously gleeful expression on her face. She held up her hand in warning. “Oh, no. You aren’t playing matchmaker with me. You’re leaving tomorrow anyway. You won’t have time for that.”
“I’m leaving this afternoon in fact, and I have enough time on my hands to play whatever damn game pleases me.”
Josie decided to return to the paperwork, but Georgia was obviously not done with that particular topic. “It’s been a year since you kicked that scumbag to the curb. Don’t you think that’s long enough to be alone?”
It wasn’t an option for her right now. “I may have dumped the scumbag, as you said, but I still have to shovel a lot of his shit. And you’re assuming an awful lot. No one is interested in me and I’m not interested in anyone.”
Georgia scoffed. “My dear child, you’re either dumb or blind, but I think stubborn is more the word in your case.”
“Thank you. I love that compliment. Now, can we return to the part where you were explaining your job so I can do it and not get myself fired?”
Josie hung on to her well-honed patience with two hands when Georgia angled her head. Josie could see she had no intention of abandoning the topic. “Please, let it go, Georgia. Even if I agreed with you that someone in the world would be even remotely interested in me, I don’t have time.”
