The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Eight

POV Holly

Rack after rack, Susan pulled me through the store like a veteran. Each thing she urged me to try on, fit my figure like a glove. However, there were still many items that showed off too much skin - or bruises - for my liking. I want to find the new version of me, but I don’t want to put the old one on display in the process.

Finally after two hours of scavenging, the pair of us rested on a bench in the park, just people watching. “So, do you like what you found?” Susan hummed in triumph.

I rolled my eyes and playfully nudged her with my shoulder. “I did. I can’t say you were wrong in this situation, that’s for sure.”

“You will find that happens a lot.” She giggled lightly and I smiled at her jest. “In all seriousness though, are you sure there isn’t anything else I can help you with?”

I raised a brow at her as my lips pursed to a thin line. “What else could you possibly help with? You even closed your shop early to help me today. I don’t even know you and you have shown me more kindness than I have seen in a very long time.” I turned away from her blushing face as Noah’s stern glare flashed through my mind. I guess she’d be the second person to treat me with kindness. I just don’t know if I trust her enough to tell her yet.

“I’m glad I could leave such a nice impression on you.” She finally said, breaking the silence between us. I bit my lip and turned as she giggled lightly. Then, her face changed. Any reminisce of her giggles were completely gone. “Look, I can tell you have some…challenges that you want to work out and I’m sure you will open up more when you are more comfortable, but remember not everyone is evil.” I snapped my head in her direction and she pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Let’s start with a phone number?”

I bit my lip and shook my head. “I wish I could, but I don’t have one.”

She nodded and shoved her phone back in her pocket. Standing to her feet she grabbed my hand and, before I knew it, I was being pulled through the town back to her shop. She pushed open the door, grabbed a pen from the front desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. Within seconds, a number was written on it and she handed it to me. “When you do, don’t forget who made you look so amazing today.”

I stared down at the paper and hesitated. The first thing I thought was to give the paper back. A technology footprint will only make it easier for my demons to find me. But…I know I cannot survive without at least a phone. I took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll be sure you are the first person I call.”

She squealed happily and pulled me into a hug. I flinched at first before relaxing into the gesture. She pulled away and patted my shoulder. “I will hold you to that.”

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I stared at myself in the mirror as I let the day play through my mind over and over again. I wanted to make a difference, see myself differently, and now I feel like I really can. After unpacking my clothes from my unexpected outing, I ruffled through them until I finally found something that made my skin tingle with excitement and confidence. I pulled the clothes over my body and turned one way, then the other. The tight fitted black jeans, blood red long sleeved blouse and black boots with a bit of a heel was enough to pull out the edge in my new look. “Okay Holly. This is what I’m talking about.” I mumbled to myself.

Turning back to the guest room behind me, I sighed realizing that it was time to get started on the renovations upstairs. New look and new me cannot just laze around in this room forever. At some point, I will have to find my own way. What better way to start than finishing the renovations.

Heading downstairs, I noticed the showroom was now empty and I hoped this would be a good time to chat with Noah. Heading to his office first, I was about to knock when I heard the sound of an angle grinder in the back shop.

Raising a brow, I headed in the direction of the noise and I was welcomed with a sight that should be illegal. Doing my best to gulp down the dryness in my throat, I slowly watched as sweat followed the curves of his lean muscular frame and escaped into the waistline of his pants. His jaw tensed as he clutched the wrench tighter and pulled on a stripped nut annoyingly attached to the bottom of the vehicle he was working on.

Grunting, he finally got the piece of metal loose and it came tumbling down into the pit below him. Rubbing his hands on a dirty rag he stored in his back pocket, his sharp eyes finally looked up to meet mine. Guilt consumed me as I realized I'd been staring him down like a prime case of wagyu beef. “Can I help you with something, Holly?” He asked, snapping me out of my own thoughts.

I blinked, focusing on literally anything else while I regained my thoughts. I bit my lip assuming he would say something about the drastic change but nothing came. He just raised a brow and waited for my response. “I just…uh…I had some more ideas about the third floor apartment I wanted to discuss with you.” He nodded his head and turned back to cleaning his hands on a worn rag. I looked over the undercarriage of the car and noted not just rust but a few bolts that looked worse than the last as they desperately held the control arms in place. “Also, that's an accident waiting to happen.” I said aloud without thinking.

He smirked and nodded toward the car before jumping out of the pit, forcing me to look up at him. “Oh really? And where would this accident happen?”

“The suspension will give out on the customer if that control arm isn’t repaired.” I noted almost as quickly as he drove.

He chuckled and nodded. “You really are good at this.”

I smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “I'm really happy to hear that. I just hope it's part of your billing.”

He nodded and turned back to the car as his black boot scuffed against the floor. “I'll keep that in mind.”

“Anyway, back to the apartment? I was thinking—”

“Remember what I said before? Anything goes. If your renovation skills are as good as your car maintenance, then I'll trust you. Just let me know when you need to head out and I'll take you to whatever stores you need.” Noah noted before heading over to his massive wall of different tools.

“R-Right.” I climbed into the pit and grabbed a rag as I looked over the control arms as a well-needed distraction.

Slipping in next to me, Noah’s body seemed to radiate warmth. The small space closing in around us. “Also, I would like to say, your new look….” My eyes grew as he looked me over again. I didn’t know what to expect but I was definitely worried about the past repeating itself. “It suits you.” He noted and I gasped. It suits me? No yanking my hair or yelling at me. Just…a compliment. I stared into his eyes as a thousand thoughts ran through my head. One in particular: Why can’t I pull away from these blue eyes? Why can’t I pull away from his toned muscles?! I learned my lesson! I’ve already been hurt enough! I don’t even know him. I snapped my head away from his and climbed out of the pit.

“Thank you for the compliment. I won’t bother you anymore. Just um…be ready tomorrow morning around nine.” I concluded before racing out of the shop. Trying my hardest not to look back. When I made it to the garage door, my will power died and I glanced at the smirk on his lips. Just enough interest on his godlike features to ruin much more than my control in seconds. If I had another choice, I’d be long gone by now. Everything about this man is trouble.