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How much?”
    She blinked a couple of times then stuttered an answer. “I said don’t worry about it and I meant it.”
    He slipped the card in his suit pocket and shoved the door open. Clarity hit Grant like a baseball to the brain. She had pulled over to him hoping to make a new client — not out of interest or any Good Samaritan tendencies. “You’re a little strange yourself, Jen, but I have to admit I don’t like the faked sweet you. The sarcasm fits better. Being genuine is always a plus with me.”
    She looked at him as if he had slapped her, “Ouch. Being a genuine ass, you mean? You know, I could have just left you on the side of the freeway.”
    He started to speak, to apologize, then closed his mouth. He stepped out of the car, pushed the door shut and strode toward the flashing lights of the waiting tow truck. He
was
an ass and he had no idea what bothered him about her motives.
    Why did it disappoint him that the entire experience was just a business thing for her? After all, that wasn’t uncommon. He did it all the time. In fact, his entire career was based on strategic relationships. Working for a man that would help him get into the business. Meeting people that might someday be clients. Building relationships that could prove financially successful. Funny that even his personal life had an agenda — one that supported his career. He thought about Emma Howell — gorgeous, bleached blonde, incredibly perfect Emma. What a bitch. Had she ruined him permanently? Admittedly, he had better lose the bitterness at some point. Not yet.
    Grant watched Jenny’s car veer around the truck, the red taillights were quickly engulfed in the traffic ahead. Within minutes, he couldn’t determine which were hers. How ironic that surface personalities often hid a much thicker, more sincere, or perhaps more menacing basement of complexity in people. Both Emma and Jenny obviously wore their outer selves like a winter coat, hugging it against them to hide the real person. The inner self was not even close to the exterior. He wasn’t really sure what Jenny’s inner personality held, but he knew for sure it had to be better than what he’d found in Emma. That woman was an empty, calculating, selfish — okay, he needed to stop thinking about it. Jenny was the opposite, burly on the outside, but he sensed her real self was much more genuine and likeable.
    Grant shook his head and struck up a conversation with the driver as they headed to the tire shop. He hoped he would get home in time to get at least five or six hours of sleep before Hodge’s first phone call.

Chapter 5
    Jenny plunked a beer down in front of Katy and slid into the seat across from her at her tiny kitchen table. She dispatched the thought of asking about the night Katy had driven David home. It was ridiculous to superimpose a flirtation onto something that, in all likelihood, was just joviality. After all, David was a lighthearted guy — he couldn’t help it. She studied her friend’s face, contemplating the possibility that Katy would cheat on Bruce, the professed love of her life. No, she wouldn’t. Katy reviewed the resumes for drivers that Jenny had already inspected. Jenny wasn’t sure it mattered. Her feelings for David seemed a little platonic after meeting Grant. “I did background checks on all these guys,” Katy announced. “And I rated them by my thoughts.” Thick, red ink numbers at the top of the pages communicated her preferences. She shoved the papers back at Jenny and waited. Jenny flipped through. Only two had a number above seven. One was a clear nine (her best score), with a plus mark.
    “Why a nine plus?”
    “His driving record is impeccable. He’s the only one that hasn’t had so much as a speeding ticket in ten years,” Katy clarified.
    “Then why not a ten?” Jenny questioned.
    “He’s … old. I know. I know. Don’t give me that look.” Katy held up a hand. Jenny’s wrinkled forehead must have given away her