Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 263

CHAPTER 151-2

“It is important, and it comes with more responsibility, so don’t let the title go to your head.” I said.

“I would never.” He said and Mia appeared in the doorway.

“He absolutely will.” She said as Ben looked at her.

“I was just promoted.” Ben said.

“And I’m already worried.” Mia said as I laughed as Ben shook his head.

“Thank you, Paige.” Ben said.

“You earned it.” I said.

He nodded, and for a moment neither of us said anything. Then he looked toward the workshop.

“Uncle Will would have liked this.” Ben said and my smile softened.

“He would have.” I said.

That thought stayed with me for the rest of the morning.

At eleven, our newest mechanic arrived. A dark pickup pulled into the lot, and a man stepped out carrying a tool bag in one hand.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and looked to be around my age, with dark hair and an easy expression that made him seem comfortable in unfamiliar places and he approached the office.

“Paige Lawson?” He asked.

“That depends on who’s asking.” I said and he smiled.

“Aiden Ross.” He said and I recognized the name immediately.

“Twenty-seven, certified mechanic, eight years of experience, and apparently recommended by three different people who don’t agree on anything else.” I said.

“That sounds about right.” He said as I shook his hand.

“Welcome to Lawson Customs.” I said.

“Thank you.” He said.

I walked him through the workshop, introduced him to Ben, and explained how we operated.

Aiden listened carefully, asked sensible questions, and never once acted like he knew more than everyone else in the room.

That mattered to me.

By lunchtime, he was already working beside Ben on a routine service.

ACTER

Mia leared toward me while we watched them.

like him.” She said.

“You’ve known him for four hours.” I said.-

“I have excellent judgment,” She said.

“You hired yourself as office manager after knowing me for about ten minutes.” I said.

“And look how well that turned out.” She said as smiled.

“Fair point.” I said as she lifted her coffee.

“To expansion.” She said as I raised mine.

“To expansion.” I said.

The afternoon disappeared and customers collected vehicles, new ones arrived, phones rang, invoices were processed, and both offices remained busy. Mia somehow managed to keep everything organized, even when both workshops were calling for information at the same time.

By closing, I was exhausted.

I stood beside the office desk while Mia finished the final numbers.

“Well?” I asked and she turned the monitor toward me.

“Record month.” She said as I stared at the figure.

“That’s not right.” I said.

“It is.” She said.

“Check it again.” I said.

“I checked it twice.” She said and I leaned closer.

The number was real. Lawson Customs had reached its highest monthly profit since I had taken over, and the new workshop had only been operating for part of the month. And I slowly sat down.

“We actually did it.” I said as Mia smiled.

“You did.” She said as I looked through the glass toward the workshop.

Ben was cleaning his station, while Aiden was putting away tools, and the last customer was pulling out of the parking lot.

“This is what Uncle Will wanted.” I said as Mia knew exactly what I meant.

“He wanted you to have the chance to build something bigger.” She said.

“He always talked about better equipment.” I said.

“Then buy it.” She said and I looked at her.

TWARTERJ

“What?” asked.

You heard me.” She said and I smiled.

The next morning, +made a décision.

I opened the equipment supplier’s catalogue and started looking through everything I had once considered impossible.

A professional frame machine. A new diagnostic system. A high-capacity lift. A precision wheel balancing machine. A restoration-grade compressor.

They were the kind of machines Uncle Will had always talked about whenever he imagined what Lawson Customs could become. So I ordered them.

When the first delivery arrived, I stood outside as the equipment was unloaded, and something inside my chest tightened when I saw the new machines being carried into the workshop. And Ben came to stand beside me.

“He would have loved this.” Ben said.

“I know.” I said as I touched the side of the new diagnostic system.

“He used to say that good mechanics should never stop learning, because the machines change and we have to change with them.” I said as Ben smiled.

“Sounds like him.” Ben said and I nodded.

“It does.” I said.

By Friday afternoon, the new equipment was installed, tested, and ready for work.

The workshop looked completely different, but it still felt like Lawson Customs.

That evening, after everyone left, I walked through both buildings alone.

I checked the doors, turned off the lights, locked the tool cabinets, and made sure every vehicle was secure before heading toward the office.

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