While Lee described her future, I felt a familiar jolt of dismay. I’m so used to being told that I’m just a mechanic who can’t offer more to the one child I accidentally had. Not that I considered Cassie an accident. She’s my lucky charm. So far, I’ve done well enough for her, but I couldn’t be everything that Knightly Rose wants.

A husband who’d cater to everything she needs. Someone who can give her what she deserves. Nothing I do will compare to a college degree and a job at a fancy office in the middle of Manhattan. She dated a guy like that when she was in college. Mark, Zack, or was it, Sam? I can’t remember his name, but she seemed happy with him. They broke up when she decided to move back to Kentbury.

Once she settles in New York, she’ll find someone like him. Definitely, not me. I wish I had told her how much I need her. That maybe my kid isn’t hers, but Cassie loves her so much—like a mother. I hate to accept that my mother’s right about me. At least I have my Cassie.

When I get home, I go into the garage. Henry, one of the guys who has worked for us since my uncle owned the place sits by the desk in front of the old switchboard.

“Why are you here, boss?”

“In case you guys need me,” I answer as I put on my work clothes.

I might as well get something done tonight.

“It’s too cold, shouldn’t you be at home with Lee? You brought her a fancy dinner.” He takes out his phone. “At your age, I’d rather be at my house with my woman.”

“Go home to your wife, I’ll take care of everything,” I say.

“You should be at home with Miss Lee. Why bring her a fancy dinner if you’re going to leave early? You kids don’t know how to woo a woman.”

Henry’s a big help around the garage, but annoying when it comes to my personal life.

“I don’t understand why you’re not staking your claim. She’s pretty, smart, and sweet. Just like her mama. Everyone was in love with Rosie.” Henry composes himself. “Well, not me. I love my Diane.”

“Lee needs a guy from the city. Someone who will give her what she needs. I’m just a mechanic.”

He laughs. “You sound just like your mama when she broke Gerry’s heart.”

I stop in my tracks and turn to look at him. “What did you just say?” I narrow my gaze at him.

“Gerry and your mom dated when she moved here from Connecticut with her father. They were together for a year or two, but since he chose to stay in Kentbury to take over the business, she moved on with your dad.”

“My mom and Uncle Gerry,” I repeat, astonished.

“Well, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you seem to be thinking less about yourself. You’re a good man, Heath. Look at what you’ve done with the place. Your grandfather would be proud of you, and so would Gerry. He knew you’d save it and make it better.”

My uncle was fun. I learned a lot from him. To fix cars, to look after my friends and to never give up. When I lost my scholarship, he offered to pay for school if that’s what I really wanted, but he doubted I did. He was right. I was just doing everything for my parents.

“He taught me everything I know,” I say looking around the garage.

Most of his posters were gone, along with the old equipment. I renovated the entire place and made sure all my guys were trained to deal with all kinds of cars and technology.

“He taught you how to fix a car. You learned how to run the business. He couldn’t do both. This place is a lot more than what your grandfather or Gerry had in mind. It’s great.”

“I think you’re reading too much into this.”

“No, I’m telling you the truth. You’re a good dad. A good friend. Diane says you’re a catch,” he continues. “I wouldn’t know but I believe the wife. She’s the smart one.”

He touches the calendar that’s on the wall. “We’re always busy because every woman in Kentbury and the neighboring towns brings their cars—just to see you. They’d kill to be Miss Lee. She’s the one who’s got your attention.”

“She’s just a friend.” I stick to my standard line. In this town, any piece of information spreads like wildfire. He’ll tell Diane who will call Mrs. Bowman and once she learns something, the entire town knows everything—with a spin, of course.

“I don’t want to fuck-up our relationship.”

“You’re already screwing things up, boy. She’s going to get tired of waiting. Pretty soon she’ll leave your ass behind. How are you going to feel when you see her with another man?”

My heart begins to pound fast when he says the words out loud.

When Lee listed what she’s missing and what she’s looking for, I just stopped trying to persuade her on staying. I don’t feel like I can compete with the man she deserves. When I hear Henry telling me about this other fictional man being by her side it feels like a stab in the chest.

Losing her is inevitable unless I do something drastic.

But could she ever see me as something else?

Would she care what I do?

I’m at a loss. Going to the library to get a book on how to run a business was easy. I bought What To Expect During The First Two Years when Cassie arrived at my doorstep. She’s survived eight years and I don’t suck at the parenting shit anymore.

Would there be something available that can tell me how to make this pain go away after a heartbreak?

Henry stares at me as if he’s waiting for me to react.

I just say, “She’s just a friend.”

“You should watch Dr. Phil,” he says. “My wife does religiously. He knows a lot about people and relationships.”

“Henry, I don’t need Dr. Phil.”

“He’d say that you’re in denial, my friend.” He ignores me. “You’ve been in love with that girl since she was Cassie’s age. There’s nothing you won’t do for her. Do yourself a favor and get your head out of your ass before you lose her.”

“I should fire you.”

“My wife would still send me to work,” he says without paying attention to my threat. “She thinks you’re a good person who needs help running this place.”

I check the clock and ask, “When are you leaving?”

“I’m staying until six in the morning. The cot in the office is ready, you should go to bed,” he suggests. “Think about what you’re doing. Gerry lost your mother because she wasn’t a good fit for him. But Miss Lee is perfect for you, everyone in town knows it.”

I rub the back of my neck and nod. “If you need me, call me. I’ll be upstairs.”

“You should be with Miss Lee,” he calls out to me as I’m leaving.