She looks pensive before replying. “I mean, no disrespect, but how does becoming a private investigator change that? Or are you running around in a bat suit acting as a vigilante?”
A laugh bursts out of me. This woman gets me. “I wish I could have all the cool gadgets Batman has, and the idea of chasing bad guys is a fun one. But no, I’m under no illusions—now I get paid to find evidence of cheating spouses and I’m not doing anything to help the problem. I just... I at least know what I’m getting into with the PI work. It’s like all the best parts of being a cop without the paperwork and political BS. And I still help put bad people away. It’s not just chasing infidelities.”
“I get it.” She looks around the office. “This place is pretty cool. And it would be an interesting job. And yeah, the biker ties wouldn’t affect you here. How close are you to the Knights?”
“I know the Knights through Nadia,” I explain. “Nadia is engaged to Trade, who is the brother of the Knights’ president, Temper. I’m on good terms with them all and consider them friends.” I realize I don’t quite know the etiquette or rules about MCs and whether she’s allowed to associate with me since I am friends with the Knights. I’m assuming she is or else she would’ve said something.
“Good to know you aren’t opposed to some biker ties. It’s definitely a biker-friendly zone here. Even if you are a Wind Dragon.” I give her a wink.
She laughs. “Wonderful,” she replies, lip twitching. “So, I actually did come in here for a reason...”
“That’s right, you did.”
“I was going to ask Felix to help me with this, but work is hectic for him right now and I felt bad asking. I want to trade in my car and get a new one. I was wondering if you knew anything about cars. I just need someone to come in with me who knows what they are talking about so the car dealer doesn’t take advantage of my lack of knowledge.”
She rushes the words out like she hates asking for help, and knowing her personality, I imagine that she does. I want her to feel comfortable asking me for help when she needs it, so I make sure to answer her gently.
“Of course, I’d love to help. And yeah, I know a thing or two about cars,” I say, smiling widely at her. “When do you want to go?”
“Thank you so much. Whenever you are free. I’d normally have my dad for all of this stuff...” She glances up at me through her lashes, a sheepish look dashing across her face. “I probably sound spoiled, don’t I? I promise you that I’m an otherwise capable adult—”
“Cara, it’s fine. I have a sister, and I do all of this kind of stuff with her. Like I said, I’m more than happy to help you with whatever you need,” I say.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. So what new car do you want? You got sick of the Mercedes?” I ask.
She shrugs and tucks her hair behind her ear. “I loved it, but I think I just want something new. I need a change, and I’m starting with getting rid of Mercy the Mercedes.”
“Mercy? Original,” I tease.
“I have my eye on an Audi,” she replies, pulling her phone out and showing me a picture. “What do you think?”
“It’s nice,” I say, nodding in approval. “How about tomorrow morning at eight? My first client is in at ten a.m.”
“Sounds perfect, thank you,” she says, leaning over the desk to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yep,” I call out, touching my cheek where her lips just left.
I need to admit to myself that Cara is now a part of my life, and I do care about her.
I just hope she’s ready for this.
Chapter Eighteen
Cara
I meet Decker at his office the next morning, and then we leave together for the car dealership. I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to Mercy, but I’d like a fresh start with everything, including my vehicle. I have too many memories of me and Rhett in the backseat, times when we couldn’t wait to go home to have each other, so we just parked at the beach and got naked in the back. Us being young, reckless and in love. I’m not the same person I was back then, and I want a new car to make new memories in, as stupid as it might sound to others.
I’m glad Decker said he would come with me, because I didn’t want to come alone. Clover would come with me, and she might have a big mouth on her, but she doesn’t know much about cars. I could have asked Felix—though I meant what I said, he’s been really busy with work—but the real reason is I just want Decker to be here.
And I’m happy he is.
This time he had a coffee and a bagel waiting for me, which I thought was really cute.
“So this is the one?” he asks, stopping to stand next to the black Audi. “Black is obviously your favorite color.”
I touch the hood of the car. “Yeah, look how good it looks.”
We have a proper look at the car. Decker checks the engine and a few other things I have no idea about.
“It looks good. I think we should get a mechanic to come in and have a look at it first, since it’s preowned, but to me she looks pretty perfect,” he says, giving his approval. “And you are going to look hot as fuck in it.”
Our eyes connect and hold for a second, before he looks back at the car. I find myself wanting him to look back at me, but instead I smile and reply with, “Good to know.”
Decker calls up a mechanic he knows and asks him to come in and check out the car. At least, I thought it was a him—until a beautiful woman appears, hugging Decker like she knows him really well.
Did he call someone he has slept with to come and look at my new car? What the hell?
“Cara, this is Demi, the best mechanic in town,” he introduces.
Demi, with her dark hair and big blue eyes, offers me one of her tatted hands. She is covered in tattoos, even having one on her neck and a little star at the corner of her pretty right eye. “Nice to meet you, Cara. Now let’s have a look at this baby and make sure she is all ready to go for you.”
“Thank you,” I say to her, moving next to Decker as he watches her work. I clear my throat. “So how do you know her?”
I try to keep my tone even and passive, because I’m not his girlfriend and he can be around whoever he likes. Also, people are allowed to be friends with their exes, just like me and Rhett are. It would be hypocritical of me to have a problem with that.
Then why am I feeling this way?
I feel...jealous.
HE ISN’T EVEN MINE.