Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 293

CHAPTER 165-2

“He seems serious about it.” Aiden said.

“He is.” I said.

Across the workshop, Charles looked toward us, and I smiled before he returned the gesture and continued working.

The afternoon moved steadily forward as Lawson Customs settled into its familiar rhythm. Customers came and went, engines started and stopped, phones rang, and Mia kept the front office organized.

Charles stayed in the background, sweeping floors, wiping benches, organizing boxes, emptying trash, and occasionally asking where something belonged. He never interrupted anyone, gave orders, or pretended to understand what he didn’t.

At one point, he picked up a small container of bolts and brought it to me.

“Where do these go?” Dad asked.

“Those are for the older Harley models, so put them on the second shelf.” I said.

“Second shelf?” He asked.

“Yes.” I said.

He nodded and walked away, but five minutes later, he came back.

“Second shelf on the left or right?” He asked and I laughed.

“The right.” I said.

“Good.” He said.

He walked away again, and I shook my head, smiling.

Around three o’clock, I caught myself watching him as he carefully organized boxes by size and checked their labels.

It was a small thing, but it meant more than I wanted to admit.

My father was trying and he was not asking me to forget what happened, demanding forgiveness, or making excuses. He was simply showing up, and that mattered.

When the afternoon began winding down, Charles washed his hands and dried them before looking around the workshop.

“I should probably let you get back to work.” He said.

“You have been here all afternoon.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“You didn’t have to stay.” I said.

CHAPTER 16

“wanted to.” He said as he looked around again

“This place is impressive.” He added.

“Thanks.” I said.

“You built all of this.” He said.

“Not alone.” I said and he nodded.

“I know.” He said.

He looked at me for several seconds before continuing.

“I want you to know something.” He said.

“What?” I asked.

“I am proud of you.” He said.

My throat tightened because I had heard those words from other people, but hearing them from Charles was different.

I had heard those words before, but hearing them from Charles was different because he had spent years failing to see me, and now he stood inside the business I had built.

“I don’t expect you to believe me immediately because I know words don’t erase years of mistakes.” He

said.

“No, they don’t.” I said.

“I’m not asking you to forget. I just want the opportunity to show you that I mean it.” He said.

“You have been showing me.” I said and his expression softened.

“Thank you for giving me another chance.” He said.

“I’m still figuring out what that means.” I said.

“That’s enough for me.” He said.

す

He smiled before walking toward the entrance, and I watched him leave and Ben appeared beside me after the door closed.

“He really likes this place.” Ben said.

“He does.” I said.

“He was proud of you.” Ben said and I smiled faintly.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“Because every time someone asked about the business, he looked like he wanted to tell them you built it. “He said.

I looked away because the words hit harder than I expected.

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“He kept asking how everything worked, and whenever you explained something, he listened.” He said and Tnodded.

“I noticed.” I said.

“He seems genuine.” Ben said.

“I think he is.” I said and Ben smiled.

“I’m glad.” Ben said.

“You are becoming very wise.” I said and he laughed.

“Don’t tell anyone.” He said and I smiled before returning to work.

The rest of the afternoon passed quietly, and by closing time, Charles had become an unexpected part of the day. I locked the office, checked the workshop, covered the final motorcycle, and turned off the lights before leaving Lawson Customs feeling peaceful for once.

Then my phone rang.

Charlotte.

I hesitated before answering.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Paige, can I ask you something?” She asked.

“Sure.” I said.

“I have been thinking about what you said.” She said.

“Which part?” I asked.

“That I need to prove I am different.” She said and I leaned against the counter.

“Okay.” I said.

“I know I can’t expect you to trust me because I say I’m sorry.” She said.

“You’re right.” I said.

“I also know I can’t sit in that guest room forever while everyone else moves forward.” She said as she took a breath.

“So I was wondering if you would let me help at Lawson Customs.” She said and I frowned.

“Help how?” I asked.

“I don’t know yet. I could clean, answer phones, organize paperwork, whatever you need.” She said and I stared across the empty workshop.

“Charlotte, this is not somewhere you can hide from Victor.” I said.

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