Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 38

CHAPTER 23-2

thought it looked different.” He said.

“It did. It was upside down.” He said.

A nearby customer laughed and Ben sighed dramatically.

“I’m never living this down.” Ben said.

“Definitely not.” I said as I reached for a socket and loosened the bolts.

“Come here.” I said and he stepped beside me.

“I’m sorry.” He said.

“I know. See these location pins?” I asked pointing to the bracket and he nodded.

“Yeah.” He said.

“They always face the rear.” I said.

“Why?” He asked.

“Because the housing was designed that way.” I said.

I turned the bracket around before sliding it nearly into place.

“This is why we never force parts together. If something doesn’t fit, there’s always a reason.” I said as Ben watched closely.

“I’ll remember.” He said.

“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep learning.” I said and he smiled.

“I’ve got plenty of opportunities.” He said.

“That might be the understatement of the century.” I said and the customer waiting nearby laughed again.

“I like this place. Nobody gets yelled at.” The customer said.

“Yelling doesn’t fix motorcycles.” I shrugged.

The office bell chimed again and a young woman stepped through the front door carrying a neat folder tucked beneath one arm.

She stopped just inside the office before smiling politely.

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Paige Lawson.” She said and I wiped my hands on a clean towel.

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CHAPTER 23 2

“You found her.” I said.

12h Pang

“My name’s Mia Dawson. I called yesterday about the receptionist position.” She said.

For one wonderful moment I’d completely forgotten I’d placed that ad.

Looking at the overflowing appointment book on the counter, I silently thanked myself for doing it.

I led Mia into the small office while Ben disappeared back into the workshop and for the first time

all morning I actually looked at the mountain of paperwork covering the desk.

Invoices sat beside parts catalogs, service receipts were mixed with warranty forms.

Sticky notes clung to the computer monitor and my appointment book looked as though it had

survived a tornado.

I suddenly understood why Mia glanced around the room before smiling politely.

“I promise it doesn’t usually look this….creative.” I said and she laughed.

“I’ve seen worse.” She said.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.” I said.

“I worked for a plumbing company with four technicians and one very disorganized owner.” He

said.

“So you’ve been professionally prepared.” I said.

“You could say that.” She said.

The interview didn’t take long. Mia had several years of office experience, understood scheduling software and somehow remained cheerful while I explained just how chaotic my workdays had

become.

By the time we finished talking, my decision was already made.

“When can you start?” I asked.

“You mean…I’ve got the job?” She asked.

“If you still want it.” I said.

“I’d love to.” She said.

“Good. Because I desperately need someone who knows where I put things.” I said.

Mia laughed before setting her folder on the desk.

“Do you mind if I made one suggestion?” She asked.

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CHAPTER 23 2

“Go ahead.” I said.

“Actually…I’ve got about twenty.” She said looking around the office again.

Less than an hour later the office barely looked like the same room.

Mia labeled filing cabinets, organized invoices into near folders, stacked parts catalogs on proper shelves and somehow discovered three unpaid invoices hiding beneath a service manual.

“I was looking for a stapler. But I found money inside.” She explained.

“I officially like you.” I said and she grinned.

“I was hoping for employee of the month.” She said.

“That position is currently vacant.” Ben said and I started laughing.

By closing time the reception counter looked clean, the appointment calendar had been

transferred onto a large wall planner and every customer who walked through the front door was

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