Dilton and Cassie were on their way to Feldman's Fender Bender. Dilton, to drop off his car, and Cassie, to fix a car. By the laws of Fate, Cassie was going to fix Dilton's car; Dilton was going to Cassie's mechanic shop to fix it.
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Cassie's thoughts: *How did we get here?* Cassie thinks as she fiddles with her wrench, *I was just on my way to work, and 40 minutes in, I'm crushing on a guy I met with a broken-down car.*
Dilton's thoughts: *How quaint,* thinks Dilton, glancing around the cluttered mechanic shop. *Here I am, with a dingy car, getting it fixed for my dad, and BAM, Fate does its little nose-wiggle and pops me in front of a wonderful woman.*
Cassie's thoughts: *He must think I'm rude, or even incompetent, which is worse,* she muses, nervously wiping her hands on a rag. *Rude or incompetent—well, as Bey says, "I'd rather be crazy." So, which is crazy in my case?*
Cassie, feeling flustered, picks up a sponge and starts washing Dilton's car absentmindedly.
Cassie's thoughts: *Ok, Cas, just get to washing his car... I'm... I've been... What am I doing? This is a mechanic shop, not a car wash. If he wanted to get his car washed, he could've just gone down to Bunker's.*
Dilton watches her in confusion, frowning.
Dilton's thoughts: *What is she doing? I wanted my car fixed, not washed. I could've just gone to Bunker's... Oh, no, now she's leaving...*
Cassie suddenly realizes her mistake and heads to the back to grab her tools.
Cassie's thoughts: *I really need to get a grip on myself. Ok, I need to get my tools in the back. Go the extra mile. Anything for a customer, right, Dad?*
Dilton, feeling restless and deciding to give her some space, leaves the shop to refresh his mind at Jolie's coffee shop nearby.
Cassie returns with her toolbox, only to find Dilton gone.
Cassie's thoughts: *Got my tools, great! Oh, now where is he? Maybe he's gonna come back? Oh, I bet he's a coffee guy. He'll like Jolie's coffee house then.* She notices a piece of paper on the hood. *Oh, he left his phone number on the hood. Let me pocket this...*
Cassie pops the hood and starts surveying the engine, checking for any obvious issues.
Cassie's thoughts: *Let's see what the matter is with this baby. Just... there's soap, like, everywhere; no big! All done.... Alright! Aww, a broken exhaust, no big! There, all fixed, let's see now...*
Meanwhile, Dilton is at Jolie's coffee shop, buying two cups of coffee. He decides to return to the mechanic shop, hoping to see Cassie again.
Cassie's thoughts: *Oh! He came back! He has two cups of coffee, I wonder if his dad is coming!*
Dilton enters the shop, holding the two cups of coffee.
Dilton's thoughts: *Let's see how she's doing, oh! She's done... I bought a cup for her, I wonder if she likes chocolate...*
Cassie takes the cup from him, surprised.
Cassie's thoughts: *Huh? Chocolate? It's dark too, just the way I like it, how'd he know?*
Dilton's thoughts: *I absolutely LOVE dark chocolate; my mother used to buy dark chocolate candy ALL the time! It looks like it was a success, she liked it! Dilton Daie, you've done well...*
Cassie beams, holding the coffee.
Cassie's thoughts: *WOO HOO!!! I fixed his car AND got a treat! He seems really sweet.*
Dilton hands over some money, smiling.
Dilton's thoughts: *Great, my car's all fixed, it wasn't anything major, just a broken exhaust. I could've fixed it myself, but I figured why not go outside today, it was immensely bright and sunny? Maybe it was a sign?*
Cassie's thoughts: *Let's see, every car is $20, but today I'd only get 5 bucks, it was only a puny exhaust. Didn't he know how to fix it?* She looks at the money Dilton handed over, noticing it wasn't much.
Dilton's thoughts: *I only have $3.43 in my pocket, how much is it gonna cost... hmm? $5? But I bought her a drink, even when she didn't ask, I'd just assumed it'd be rude if I didn't...*
Cassie remembers her mother's advice about customers.
Cassie's thoughts: *Mom said not to get mad at a customer that doesn't have the money; maybe financial issues? That's ultimately his dad's car, anyways? Right? No way could he afford a Buick...*
Dilton's phone rings, and he answers it.
Dilton's thoughts: *Grand! She understands! Fate did me a favor today... huh? Oh, my dad's calling...*
Cassie watches him smile as he talks on the phone, feeling a little flutter in her chest.
Cassie's thoughts: *Smile, smile.... he totally missed it, oh, he's on his phone. Well, I didn't get anything today, but dad said eventually, I'll manage this joint, and then I'll get lots of money. I only work one shift, which is the afternoon shift, my dad runs this place! Pretty neat, indeed.*
Dilton ends the call and looks back at Cassie.
Dilton's thoughts: *Oh, I have to get home with the car.... well, it was nice meeting you... I really hope I see you again. I don't even know your name... well, maybe it helped that I put my number on the hood, it's not there anymore, does that mean she took it? Boy, I really hope so.*
Cassie pockets the number, feeling hopeful.
Cassie's thoughts: *The drink was sweet, He's sweet. I have his number, oh, this is swell! I can call him; or is it fake?*
Dilton, seeing Cassie pocket the number, feels relieved.
Dilton's thoughts: *I really hope she doesn't think it's a fake number, I would never do that to anyone.*
Both Cassie and Dilton have hopeful smiles on their faces as he drives away.
Cassie's thoughts: *Guess we'll find out tonight!*
Dilton's thoughts: *Boy, did I have a rush! Alright, we're back in the car, engine on! Huh, Oh, look..... Cassie... I like it!*
Cassie's thoughts: *Oh, wow! Dilton! What a stricken name! I'll remember that... yeah, I think I will.*
YOU ARE READING
What is Love?
RomanceWhen Dilton's old Buick breaks down, he finds himself at Feldman's Fender Bender, a local mechanic shop. There, he meets Cassie, a spirited young woman working at her father's shop. Despite their awkward first encounter, a series of charming and hea...
