Read Mz Mechanic for Free Online

entered his home through the garage, he threw his keys down on the island in the center of the kitchen. Just as he leaned to grab a beer from the refrigerator, he noticed the blinking red lights on his answering machine. Every day, after work he came home to at least a dozen phone calls. There was always one that caused him to pull out his briefcase and work after hours and sometimes throughout the night.
    To hell with those calls tonight, there was someone else on his mind.
    He took a swig of beer, and then pulled his cell phone from his pocket. It had been several days since he’d last talked to Alexia. Most of their calls were short and had been strictly business. He’d find out right now if he was meant to stay home on a Friday night hunched over his laptop crunching numbers.
    The phone rang three times before Alexia picked up. “This is Alex.”
    Her voice was a breath of fresh air, and he caught himself smiling as he walked past the foyer and into the living room. “It’s Shawn.”
    There was a bit of silence on the other end. “You know what? I totally forgot I was supposed to call you back yesterday about the CDs. I got tied up in things at the shop.”
    “I figured you were busy. Are you still at work?” He hoped he didn’t catch her at a bad time.
    “I’m on the way to pick up dinner, and then I’m heading home.”
    “Tired?”
    “You bet.”
    His shoulders drooped. It was probably a bad idea to ask her out on a date after a long week. He didn’t want to seem to be a bother. “This is probably bad timing, and you can say no or leave me alone or whatever, but…”
    “But?”
    “I bought two spa packages earlier this morning and I was wondering if you would go with me. I talked to a few people and they’ve said nothing but good things about being pampered at the spa. I thought we could both use it.”
    Her silent treatment was torture as he waited for her to speak. Shawn ran his hand through his head, and tried again. “The certificates are good for any day of the week, so if you’re busy tonight, I’ll understand.”
    “A spa visit sounds tempting.”
    Shawn grinned. “So, is that a yes?”
    “Yes. I’ll be ready in about an hour.”
    “I don’t want you to starve. I’ll make reservations for dinner. Which restaurant? Your choice.”
    “I like Italian.”
    ***
    As she and Shawn sat in the quiet dimly lit room following their massages, Alexia tried to recall the last time she ever felt so relaxed and stress-free. The tranquil, floral-infused ambience together with the soft music made her forget about those business matters that always tended to be so burdensome.
    Alexia took a deep breath and took another sip of her chilled wine. She glanced over at Shawn who sat beside her on the chaise lounge with his eyes closed and face tilted to the ceiling.
    “Thank you for the chance to just relax,” she said.
    He turned to glance at her, and his thigh slightly brushed hers once more. “I’m glad you came along with me. I’d say that we both needed and deserved this.”
    “Dinner was nice as well. I’ve never had Italian prepared quite like that.”
    “We should do this together more often.”
    She smiled. “Are you asking me out again?”
    “I am. You don’t stress me out.” He downed the rest of his drink, and set it out the table beside him. “I regret that so many years passed until we met again.”
    “But we barely knew each other in high school.”
    “I feel like I’ve known you forever, you know, like we’re old friends.
    He hit the nail right on the head. She felt that he was definitely friend material. “The massage therapist must have sensed that. I can’t believe she thought we were a couple.”
    Shawn pointed to the mirror in front of them. “Well, we would make a damn fine couple.”
    Alexia laughed. “You’re funny.”
    His expression turned serious. “What’s so funny about that?”
    She shrugged, and looked in the mirror at their reflections. With nothing on