Emma had been walking for a few minutes when she stopped at a familiar building, reading the old, worn-out sign that read "Philo's Auto Shop." The garage part of the building was closed, so she couldn't see if Blake was inside. She would have texted or called him, but she'd left her phone at home, hidden as usual underneath her bed.
Walking through the front door, a little bell chimed, and an older man walked out from a room behind the front desk. He looked to be in his fifties, with slightly tanned skin and black, slightly grayed hair styled back on his head. "Hello, dear, how can I help you?" he said in a strong Italian accent, a friendly smile on his lips Emma gave him a shy smile, walking in front of the desk. "Um, is Blake here today, sir?"
The man rubbed his chin with a grin. "Ah, are you the Emma girl he's been telling me about?" She nodded, pushing her hair behind her ear. It warmed her heart to hear Blake was talking so openly about her; she wished she could do the same.
"Nice to finally meet you, dear. That boy talks about you nonstop. I'm Philo. Known the boy since he was thirteen. Caught him spray-painting my building, told him I wouldn't tell his parents if he helped around the shop after school, and well, the rest is history." He shook her hand, gesturing her behind the counter. "Follow me. I'll take yah to him."
He led her into the room behind the counter.
The room behind the door was what she guessed was his office. Then they walked through another door, which opened up into the big garage. A few guys were in there, working on different cars, and some of them looked up at them as she walked past.
Philo stopped walking in front of a blue jeep. Someone was lying underneath it, dark blue jeans sticking out. "I got a surprise for you, boy." Philo tapped the hood of the jeep.
A snicker was heard from under the car. "Is it a raise?" Some of the guys working laughed at his reply "Nah, even better." Philo pulled the board Blake was lying on with his foot, making him roll from under the jeep. He smiled, surprised, seeing Emma standing there.
"Told yah it was better than a raise!"
Blake stood up, picking up a dirty rag off the hood of the car, rubbing his hands. He was wearing a dirty white shirt, sweaty hair sticking to his forehead. "Hey, Emma," he spoke up first while she was too busy checking him out to talk.
"Hi, Blake."
Philo looked between them with a grin. Philo looked around, noticing the other workers paying more attention to them than working on their cars. "And on that note, I think it's time for break. Everyone, get out for twenty minutes!" The guys quickly stood, walking out the door, clearly excited for their breaks.
Blake watched Emma closely. He could tell something was off.
"I'll let you two stay and talk, but no funny business, Blake." Blake gave him a nod in agreement before Philo walked out, closing the door behind him.
Blake opened the back door of the jeep, signaling her to get in with his head. She climbed into the backseat, followed by him. He closed the door, facing her.
"What's wrong?" he simply asked.
She let out a snort, playing with her fingers. "How do you know anything is wrong?" the corner of his lips tilted up slightly. "You're pretty easy to read." No one ever seemed to read her as well as him. She licked her lips before beginning.
"I'm just going through a lot right now. Where do I even start? I, so-called, broke up with Jason in the middle of dinner with my parents. My mother wasn't very happy about that, so I kind of just walked out. Walked all the way here. I guess I just wanted to see you," she said shyly, looking down.
He grinned slightly after hearing she wanted to see him. He put his hand under her chin, lifting her face up to meet his eyes. "I'm happy you found the courage to break up with that guy. He was bad news." Man, he wasn't kidding. She didn't even realize just how crazy Jason was. Maybe the real reason she came here was she needed a distraction, and Blake always saved her in the crazy moments in her life.
"I think I just need a distraction from everything, you know."
He laughed slightly, letting go of her face. "Emma, are you trying to get in my pants?" He tilted his head to the side, laughing when her face started to turn bright red.
She waved her hands around. "No, no, no! I wasn't saying that!"
He grinned, bringing his hands to her waist, lifting her onto his lap. "That's too bad... 'cuz I don't mind being your distraction for a few minutes." Running his fingers through her hair, her eyes widened. Oh my god, he literally just said that, was her first thought.
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
