Free Elusive Love by K. A. Robinson

asked.
    “No, not at all.” I took the file folder out of his hand and rested it on my lap.
    Ben studied me for a few moments, sizing me up. I stayed still even though I wanted to shift in my seat, uncomfortable with his attention.
    “I’ll have the guys show you the ropes tomorrow when you come in. Ted is our lead tech, and he’s in charge of the shop. If you have any questions or problems, talk to him. If he can’t help you, come see me.”
    “Okay.”
    “We’ll start you out with simple repairs and tune-ups. It’ll take some of the work off of my guys and show me what you’re capable of.” He paused. “I know you’re friends with Caley, but I want to be clear on one thing. If you’re unable to do your part, I can’t keep you on board. It’s nothing personal, but we have too much to do as it is without trying to teach a new guy basic mechanical skills. I’m giving you a chance because you’re a friend of hers, but the special treatment ends there.”
    I grinned, unable to stop myself. Ben seemed surprised at my reaction. He raised an eyebrow in question.
    “I assure you, I can do basic repairs and tune-ups with no problems at all. And I don’t expect special treatment. I’m just glad you’re giving me this chance. You won’t regret it,” I said. “And I admire your bluntness. I prefer people to be up front with me rather than tiptoe around stuff.”
    He smiled. “Good. Then, it’s settled. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ethan.”
    I stood and shook his hand again. “I’ll see you then.”
    I left his office and walked back through the parts room. Caley was standing behind the counter, waiting patiently as the printer spit out paper after paper.
    “Your dad seems like a decent guy. If the shop guys are the same, I think I’ll like it here,” I said as I stopped behind her.
    Instead of answering, she shrieked in surprise. The papers she was holding in her hands flew through the air and rained down around us.
    “Holy shit, you scared me to death,” she managed to gasp out.
    I laughed as I knelt down and scooped up the dropped papers. “I gathered that.”
    “Thanks.” She took the papers from me and started sorting them. “I take it that your meeting with my dad went well?”
    I nodded. “Like I said, he seems like a decent guy. I start work tomorrow.”
    “That’s awesome. You’ll be busy. I can promise you that. We have so much to do.”
    “Good. I’d rather be busy than stand around, doing nothing. It makes the time go by faster.” I hesitated for a second. “You okay today? About Joey leaving, I mean.”
    She sighed. “Yeah, I’m fine. He’ll be gone by the time I get home, so there won’t be any time to fight over it anymore. I’m just going to have to accept the fact that I’m basically a single mother until his job decides to bring him back or until he finds someplace else to work. I doubt if the latter will happen since he seems content with where he’s at.”
    “Maybe space and time apart will help you guys,” I said cautiously.
    “I doubt that, but who knows?” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’d better get back to work.”
    “Yeah. Right. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I said. “If you need something tonight, text me, okay?”
    “You won’t be busy?” she asked, her voice so soft.
    I almost hadn’t heard her words. “What do you mean?”
    “I just thought you might be hanging out with that girl again, the one who had texted you last night.” She laughed. It sounded high-pitched. “I don’t even know her name.”
    “It’s Danielle,” I said, wishing we were discussing anything but this.
    “Danielle—that’s a pretty name,” Caley said. “Anyway, I just assumed you would be hanging out with her tonight.”
    “I’m not. I didn’t hang out with her last night either.”
    She seemed surprised. “Why not? I left so that you could.”
    I shrugged. “I was busy the rest of last night. I forgot to even text her back until it was too late to do