Our Love

Wade

I had the biggest, goofiest grin on my face after texting Quinn. It was literally a five-minute exchange, but I was so happy she responded. After talking with Carrie about her and hearing how sweet and wonderful she was at the office, I couldn't stand not communicating with her. I was doing my best to get her car in tip-top shape. I had it running, but not as well as I would like to prevent her from being stranded again. I ordered a few additional parts, and of course, I wouldn't be charging her for the extra work. I'd do my best not to charge her at all, but I had a feeling she was going to put up a fight about that.

I spent the rest of the week working at the shop at the farm and avoiding my Father's calls and telling Grant to fuck off. They were hell-bent on whatever the firm Denise worked at would offer and felt only I could make it happen. Well, news to them, I wouldn't be doing that, and they'd have to call it a loss and move on.

Before I knew it, it was the end of the week, the parts had arrived, and Quinn's car was ready to go. A part of me dreaded it because this meant I'd have no reason to contact her, but I knew she needed the car. Carrie had mentioned that an older woman or some guy would drop her off and pick her up each day. She asked Quinn about it, and she responded that it was a friend from her second job. I couldn't believe she was working two jobs! I knew the office was very demanding and mentally draining, so I felt for her even more having to work so hard. I headed home from the shop a little earlier than usual, but it was a Friday after all, and I was pretty beat.

I had already texted Quinn to let her know that her car was ready to go. We agreed that I could pick her up from her shift at a diner on the other side of town to get it back to her. Her shift didn't end until eleven. I felt terrible that she was working. Her day of work was over fourteen hours, and I knew she had to be exhausted.

I showered, had some dinner, worked on some much-needed financials for the farm, and then decided to go ahead and head to the diner. It was a little early, but I wanted to make sure the car was good again, and honestly, I was anxious to see her. It had been two weeks, and I was excited to see if she was as beautiful as I remembered. Carrie had also made sure to point out that I needed to explore my interest in her and ask her out already. She hinted that Grant may have been extra flirty with Quinn at the office, which only fueled me to make a move.

I pulled up to the diner, and it was nearly dead. Only one or two cars were in the lot. There was about an hour left of her shift. I decided to go on in and maybe have a late-night dessert while waiting. I stepped inside and was immediately greeted by an older lady. She was clearly exhausted but still friendly. She let me sit at the counter since I said I was just there for some pie and coffee.

While I sat waiting, I heard her voice. She was taking an order from a table behind me. They must have been regulars because they spoke as if they knew each other. It was sweet. She whizzed past me to take the order in and then turned to me, greeting me and asking if I'd like a coffee before she even realized who I was.

"I was hoping for a slice of apple pie as well," I replied.

"Wade!" Her beautiful hazel eyes lit up.

"I'm early, I know. Figured I'd have some pie and coffee while waiting." I shrugged, hoping she didn't think it was weird.

"Ok. I can get that for you. Thank you for coming here, I don't have a ton of free time between jobs, and this just works out easier. I'm sorry, I'm probably keeping you out too late." She frowned.

"Quinn, it's a Friday night. I'm in a diner, getting pie and coffee. You're clearly not keeping me from anything."

She smiled at me before rushing off to tend to her other customers. An older woman came over in my direction with a cup of coffee, sliding it toward me.

"Need cream or sugar, hon?"

"No, black is fine, thanks."

"So you're the mechanic." She stated, looking me up and down. I chuckled nervously, unsure who this woman was and what exactly she was talking about.

"I am a mechanic, yes."

"Quinn's mechanic." The woman countered. She looked to be in her late sixties, perhaps. She had a short pixie cut of gray hair, a thin frame, and wrinkles sprinkled around her face.

"Brenda, this is Wade. Wade, this is my co-worker and friend, Brenda." Quinn piped up as she quickly approached, looking nervously between the two of us.

"Nice to meet you." I reached out my hand, which she happily took. She gave me a bit of a smirk, then winked at Quinn before walking away.

"As soon as these last two tables finish, I'm good to go. Do you still want some pie?" She smiled, causing a tickle in my chest that I noticed whenever I was around her or thought about her.

"I think I'm fine with the coffee. No worries. I'm good."

She was beautiful as always, but she had a look of stress and exhaustion on her face that worried me. I barely knew this woman, had spent little to no time with her, but she was consuming my thoughts. I wanted to know more, know her story. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned from the counter seat and saw a table of men giving Quinn a hard time. I sat, trying to listen and gauge the situation. She was standing her ground and not letting them rattle her; I was impressed. Within a few minutes, they were calm again and leaving the diner. I watched as she quickly cleared the table and buzzed past into the kitchen and back out again. After one more trip around, she came over to me, sighing heavily.

"Ok, I'm good to go." Her hazel eyes looked darker than the last time I saw her. I pulled out a few dollars and laid them next to my coffee mug, and followed her out the door. Brenda waved from her side of the diner, calling out her goodbye as we left.

"I really do appreciate this so much. You took the time to work on it and came here, it's so kind. You didn't mention how much I owe you, though. It seems unfair for me to take the vehicle back until I've paid you for the work." Quinn rambled on as we got closer and closer to her car.

I opened the driver's side door for her, wanting her to drive it and feel the difference. It was still an old car, but I think I had managed to make it drive and ride a lot smoother for her. Most importantly, more reliable for her as well.