Read Out Of Place (Face the Music Book 2) for Free Online Page B

hadn’t got his name, not that it mattered when his car had a working battery. He was exactly what she needed.
    The ring on her necklace swung against her skin as she went back out to her car, but she was thinking of his smile and then the way she’d stopped herself. Why had she done that? When was the last time she’d smiled at a guy and meant it? She gave out plenty of fake café customer smiles. She should’ve let herself smile at him—if only because he’d come to her rescue.
    A blue wagon that had seen better days pulled into the parking lot and parked near her. She looked at the faded red paint of her car and she wasn’t sure who was going to be helping who…although his car was running.
    She popped open her boot ready to grab the leads, but he pulled out his own set.
    “This has happened before?” He pointed at her leads before opening up her front door and locating the hood release.
    “A couple of times.” Each time more mortifying than the last. So far she’d been lucky that Ethan hadn’t been with her.
    “Is the battery charging?”
    She had no idea. “I need to get it serviced.”
    He had a quick look under the hood. “Everything’s connected, so in theory it should go.”
    “Are you a mechanic?” That would be too perfect.
    “No. I know enough to be dangerous.” He pointed at his car. “I have to.”
    Her lips twitched again, this time she let the smile form. To hell with it. He was going out of his way to be nice and helpful. What did she have to lose? “I’m Olivia.”
    “Ed.” He held out his hand.
    She clasped his hand. His skin was warm and there were callouses on his fingers. The brief contact sent a shiver over her skin despite the heat of the day.
    “Always polite to know whom I’m about to jump.” Another quick and deadly smile formed on his lips.
    She was sure he was talking about the car. Although there was a glint in his eyes, she couldn’t be sure. It was hot standing out here. The heat was radiating off the pavement and up her legs. Off the cars and onto her skin. She wanted to fan her face but didn’t want to give him a reaction. Think of something clever to say…
    “I’m guessing you don’t let your car hook up with any old car.”
    “Until I got the alternator replaced my car would hook up with anyone with a working battery. She wasn’t fussy and neither was I.” He had a nice voice, the kind that would be really easy to listen to, and a sense of humour.
    Her smile broadened. He might be flirting with her. Unless they were talking about the cars. Which they might be.
    Ed put the red lead on his battery, then walked over to hers. She was glad he knew what he was doing, as the last time she’d had to do it and it had been a little nerve-racking, despite her dad talking her through the process. Ed repeated the action with the black lead.
    “Okay, do want to give it a go?” He smiled at her, his eyes squinting against the sun.
    She glanced at his wagon. Did it have enough juice for both of them? “I’m not going to kill your car?”
    He shook his head. “You might be doing me a favour if you did.”
    A laugh caught in her throat. She tried to start her car, again.
    This time it worked. She sighed and let some of the tension drain away. She’d make it to the meetings on time. “Thank you.”
    He shrugged. “It was nothing. I’ve been on the other end of the leads and know how shitty that feels. Not everyone is willing to help out.” He started packing up the leads. “You need to let it run for a bit to recharge.”
    “I know.”
    “Get it serviced before the problem gets worse.”
    “I know.” It was on her list.
    He shut the back of his car. “Do you work at the café?”
    He already thought she did so there was no point in denying it and there was no need to keep her distance either, but it was a hard habit to break. “Yes. You surf here often?”
    “When I can. It’s nice to be home.”
    “You work away?” Fly in/fly out workers usually had