Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 47

CHAPTER 29-1

Tuesday disappeared faster than I expected. The moment I unlocked the garage that morning, I knew I wasn’t going to dit down until closing time.

Motorcycles already lined the parking lot, Mia had three messages waiting on my desk before Id even poured my first cup of coffee and Ben was carefully uploading a shipment of parts while reading every label twice to make sure nothing ended up on the wrong shelf.

The garage felt alive, air tools hissed and engines rumbled.

Customers drifted in and out carrying helmets beneath their arms while the office phone rang often enough that Mia barely had time to finish one conversation before answering the next. And Ben carried a box toward the workbench and smiled proudly.

“I checked every part number.” Ben said.

“You remembered after last time.” I said.

“I’m trying to build a reputation.” He said.

“You already have one.” I said and he smiled faded slightly.

“Is it the backwards transmission?” He asked.

“It will always be the backwards transmission.” I said and he sighed dramatically.

“I’ll never escape that.” He said.

“Probably not.” I said.

He laughed anyway before disappearing into the second service bay and across the office, Mia looked over the top of her computer.

“You’ve skipped lunch.” Mia said.

“I’ve had coffee.” I said.

“Coffee isn’t lunch.” She said.

“It keeps me optimistic.” I said.

“It keeps you awake.” She said.

“That’s almost the same thing.” I said and she folded her arms.

“I packed an extra sandwich.” She said.

“I’ve accidentally hired people who care about me.” I said.

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CCAMPTER 29 1

George wandered through the front door at exactly the wrong moment.

“They’ve finally worn you down.” George said.

“I was ambushed.” I said and George nodded toward Mia.

“She’s right.” George said.

“I know she is.” I said.

“Then eat.” He said.

I accepted the sandwich with exaggerated reluctance before taking a bite.

“There. Everyone happy?” I asked.

“For at least five minutes.” Mia replied.

+25 Points

The afternoon settled into its usual rhythm as customers collected finished motorcycles, new

bookings filled the appointment book and Ben completed another service without needing me to

correct anything.

Watching him grow more confident reminded me of myself years earlier standing beside Uncle Will, desperately trying to prove I deserved to be in the workshop.

He’d never rushed me, he just simply expected me to keep learning.

I found myself doing the exact same with Ben.

By six o’clock the last customer had driven away and Ben finished sweeping the workshop before

grabbing his backpack.

“See you tomorrow.” He said.

“Drive safely.” I said.

“I always do.” He said and Mia shut down her computer and smiled at me.

“Don’t stay here until midnight.” She said.

“I’ll try.” I said.

“You said that yesterday.” She said.

“And?” I asked.

“You left at ten.” She said.

“That’s an improvement.” I said and she laughed before locking the office behind her.

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• 25 Points

CHAPTER 29 1

The workshop became wonderfully quiet but the silence only lasted a few minutes before the familiar rumble of a motorcycle echoed into the parking lot.

I didn’t need to look through the window. I already knew who it was.

Jace walked through the roller door carrying a paper bag and two takeaway cups.

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