Then I added, “But I probably would've charged you for the distributor cap.”
She burst out laughing.
I grinned.
She looked toward my truck.
Then back at me.
“Can I see you again?”
The question surprised me.
Not because I didn't want to.
Because I hadn't expected somebody like her to say it so simply.
I took a slow breath.
“I'd like that.”
Vanessa smiled.
Then stepped closer.
For a moment, I thought she might kiss me.
My heart began pounding.
But she simply reached for my hand.
Her fingers were warm.
Soft.
She squeezed gently.
“Good night, Marcus.”
I looked into her eyes.
“Good night, Vanessa.”
Then she walked toward the valet.
I watched until the black Firebird disappeared down the road.
And for the first time in three years, I drove home thinking about something other than the garage.
Not the debt.
Not the bank.
Not the endless calculations I made before bed.
I thought about a beautiful woman who laughed at my terrible jokes.
Who listened when I spoke about Emily.
And who had asked to see me again without knowing whether I could offer her anything more than honesty.
That night, I kissed Maya goodnight and went to sleep with a smile.
It lasted until seven the next morning.
My phone rang while I was making pancakes.
The caller was my bank loan officer.
“Mr. Kane, I'm afraid the account status has changed.”
My stomach tightened.
“What changed?”
“The loan was transferred into a portfolio now managed by a new servicing group. They've issued a revised demand concerning a separate alleged covenant breach.”
I stared at the frying pan.
“What does that mean?”
He hesitated.
“They're requiring a response and satisfactory cure arrangement within five business days.”
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
“Five?”
“Yes.”
“The notice said fourteen.”
“I understand.”
I lowered my voice.
“Are they trying to take my property?”
“I can't give you legal advice, Mr. Kane. But I strongly recommend you contact counsel and review the demand immediately. The timeline they're asserting may be disputed.”
I looked toward Maya.
She was sitting at the table carefully arranging blueberries into the shape of a spaceship.
I turned away.
Then asked one more question.
“Who took over the loan?”
The officer hesitated.
“An investment subsidiary connected with Northstar Equity Partners.”
The room went silent.
I stared at the wall.
Northstar.
Vanessa's company.
The same woman who'd held my hand outside Alder House the night before.