Made with love

Part four

My God it's hot! I've lived out here for almost 5 years, but I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the strength of the L.A sun. I look down at the pile of motorcycle parts in front of me and sigh. I'll finish looking through this, then I'm going home for a cold shower. I take off my shirt, revealing my vest underneath and tie it around my waist. Only a little better, but it helps. I bend forward and pick up a starting arm, when I hear someone behind me. "Well if I'd of known there was going to be a strip show, I'd of brought some singles!" I shoot up and whip around to see who's there, but lose my footing and fall straight on my ass.

Me "Fuck!" I look up squinting and see a guy standing in front of me. He's got the sun behind him so I can't see his face, but I know it's not Sal or any of his boys. I'm on the ground and alone with a stranger...this isn't good. Him "Shit! You OK?" He steps towards me and bends down, offering me his hand. I hesitate, then remember I still have the starting arm in my other hand. If this guy tries anything, I'll give him one hell of a headache!

Him "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to scare you." Me "You just caught me by surprise, that's all." I look up at him and can see his face now. His eyes are covered by his Ray Ban's, but there's something familiar about him. As I stand I catch a glimpse of the tattoos on his bare arms. Shit it's the guy from the coffee shop!

Him "Are you sure you're OK? You fell pretty hard." Me "I'm fine...really."  Just embarrassed. He takes off his Ray Ban's and looks straight at me and smiles...Oh my! Him "I was looking for some motorcycle parts and the old guy..." Me "Sal." I interupt. Him "Yeah, Sal. He said that I could find some back here." Me "Yeah, they're right here." I point at the pile of parts, with the starting arm I still have in my hand and realise he still has hold of my other one.

Him "I'm fixing up an old Indian, it's a kinda hobby of mine. You?" I'm making a sculpture from scrap metal." Him "Wow, you're an artist? That's so cool." Me "I think so." We both smile and any apprehension I have left slips away. His phone goes off, making him release my hand. I admit I feel a little disappointed. He looks at his phone, then slips it back into his pocket. Him "I'll call them back."

He walks towards the pile of parts then stops and turns round to face me. Him "I'm Shannon by the way. Figured I should at least introduce myself properly, since I knocked you off your feet." He smiles and I laugh. Me "Something tells me you're used to girls falling for you." He raises an eyebrow, then lets out a huge laugh. S "I do alright." And he winks. Me "I'm Leigh, nice to meet you Shannon. Something tells me this meeting will leave an impression on me." I use my free hand to rub my ass. He laughs again and looks into my eyes.

What am I doing? I don't flirt with guys. Flirting leads to dates, dates lead to  relationships and relationships lead to...heartbreak. I can't do this. Me "I'm sorry, I have to go." Before he can say anything, I bend and pick up the parts I've gathered and walk away. What was I thinking? I need to get out of here. I march quickly over to Sal. Sal "You ok chica?" He looks concerned. Me "Yeah, just need to get going. What do I owe you Sal?" He looks over what I picked and rubs his chin. Come on Sal I need to go before..." S "Hey Leigh, wait up!"...that happens.

Shannon's walking towards me, Ray Bans in hand. Sal "For my best customer, call it $130." I thrust the money into his hand and hastily grab the parts. Sal "Bye chica!" I give him a quick "Bye" and rush towards my car. I'm  sorry Sal, I can't chat now, I need to get out of here. I just make it to my car as Shannon catches up to me. S "Hey, you forgot this." He's holding my phone, it must have fallen out my pocket when I fell. I take it from him and mumble a thank you. I'm trying so hard not to look at him.

S "Look did I do something to upset you? If so I'm sorry." I risk a glance at him and he looks concerned. I feel a pang of guilt, what is it about this guy that makes me feel...well anything? Me "No, you didn't do anything, I just have to be somewhere." Anywhere but here. S "Well I was wondering if you'd like to go for coffee sometime. My way of apologising for scaring you." He sounds a bit nervous, I better let him down easy. Me "I'm sorry, you seem like a nice guy. But I'm just not looking for anything right now." He puts his hands up, S "Hey I'm not proposing or anything, it's just a cup of coffee." Me "Shannon...I..." S "Look I'll be at Stray's Coffee Shop on Marsden Ave at 10am tomorrow. I think you know the place." He smiles. Oh shit he does recognise me! I blush crimson. S "If you happen to be there at the same time great, if not...well, it was great to meet you."

He smiles and takes a step towards me, whispering in my ear. S "I hope you come Leigh." Oh my God, he smells delicious! He climbs on his motorcycle and rides away. It's a moment or two before I can will my body to move. I climb into my car and start the engine, turning the air con on full. Something tells me I really going to need that cold shower.