Julie sighed heavily. “He has the most trouble connecting with you. Which isn’t because of you.”

“Ha! Of course it is. Part of it is that I’m female. I don’t know where Dad and Fee got that. Grandma was awesome and Grandpa always treated us with respect. But another part is that he and I just don’t fit. I’ve tried doing exactly what they said they wanted and even then it’s not enough.”

“He’s a jerk, but he doesn’t like anyone. I feel like even though I’m technically higher up at Colman they listen to Shawn way more than me. They don’t listen to Mom at all.”

PJ had left Julie alone when she’d quit her job earlier that day. “And here I am whining about my problems and I’ve made one for you. I’m sorry I didn’t see it.”

Julie flipped her off. “No apologies. You have to leave to come back. Do you know what I mean?” Her sister shrugged one shoulder. “You have to do it this way. They’re not going to hear you if you stay. And if you’d stayed after that crap from earlier? Being told, Hey, be quiet and sell tires, we don’t need your newfangled ideas? Oh man, if you’d stayed, they’d do it to you again. Because you took it. Your leaving actually supports me more than your staying and taking that.”

“I can do this. But I’m freaked. Just between you and me.”

“Freaked about what? You’re good at this. You have clients already. You have a shop space. They underestimated you, PJ. Don’t do the same. Fuck them and fuck Asa. You got this.”

“I’m so glad I came over here instead of revenge-making-out with an ex. That would have ended so badly.”

Julie laughed. “If I hear you’re getting your lips anywhere near Aaron, unless you’re hitting him with a bar of soap in a sock, I’m going to kick your ass.”

“You’re vicious. And also, um no. No Aaron of any type. I have other options for the sort of instant feel-good drunken make-out, and then there’d be regret the next day. Maybe.” PJ grinned. “Don’t you have that guy friend? You’ve never actually had intercourse but you’ve made out half a dozen times. He’s hot. You’re hot. It’s fun but you’re really not ever going to be with him and he doesn’t want that anyway.”

Julie’s eyes widened. “There is not such a thing.”

“Oh my god. Julie, there is totally such a thing. You won’t necessarily be kissing that friend, but one of your friends is that guy. What about Noah? I’d totally make out with Noah if he was that friend.”

Her sister shook her head. “You think you know someone. Okay, who? In your group, I mean. Who is your make-out friend? No, wait, let me guess.” Julie thought as she ate. “Well, so I’d like it to be Chris.”

“Chris is on-fire hot, but I’m not his type. He’s never even looked at me twice. It’s Craig. He just broke up with someone two weeks ago. Prime rebound time.”

Problem was, she didn’t want to make out with Craig and masturbate alone before she fell asleep.

“You have a look.”

“I’m going to focus on getting PJ’s Custom Work set up. I got asked to do some more modeling, which is great because it’s like five or six hours’ effort and a nice check. I don’t actually need it; I have money in the bank, so get that look off your face. But it keeps me busy and making connections too.”

“And he’ll hear about it. Asa.”

“Maybe. Of course he needs to suffer, be shown just exactly what he’s missing. He digs me, Julie. I know it. I can see it every time he looks my way. We have major chemistry. Like when we’re in the same room it’s sort of intoxicating. And yet I can’t moon or pine. I have too much to do. Also, hello. No. I’m not going to be doing that.”

“So essentially your plan is to be you and to do it so well he can’t resist. Which is a good plan, I think.”

They clinked beers and went back to gossip. “Jay,” PJ demanded.

“He’s a spineless jerk. He knows he was wrong and as much as he’s capable, he’s sorry for not backing you up. But he’s desperate for Dad to pet him and tell him he’s pretty. And he’s smart. He’s a good person to take over when Dad steps down. But he needs to stop being a tightass.”

They snickered a while. “I sort of feel bad for him,” PJ said.

Their oldest brother had never really had the childhood the rest of them did. He traveled with their dad from a very early age, and their father never lost his reserve. Not with Jay, who wanted their father’s approval and affection so badly he’d alienate his siblings, and not with his other kids or his wife, for that matter.

Julie said, “Yes, sure. It sucks. But we all have our shit to shovel. He has to figure it out and stand up on his own two feet. We all know Fee would be a disaster at running the company. Jay’s going to have to take him on at some point.”

PJ tipped her chin at her sister. “Why don’t you do it?”

“No thanks. I don’t want to run the company. But I’ll gladly shove Fee out an airlock and take his spot when I can. Can you believe he told me I was too pretty to be wasting my time at a job where I wasn’t meeting rich men regularly?”

PJ reared back in horror. “What the ever-loving fuck?”

“Ridiculous. Anyway, do you have plans tomorrow?”

“I have a job first thing in the morning, but it’ll be a quick one. I’ll be free by one or so. You want to grab lunch and a movie?”

“Yeah. Let’s. I have a date. Seattle Opera and swanky French food down at the Market. I need something showstopping for it.”

“Right on. I feel the need for some new lingerie and shoes.”

One more clink of the beer and they’d polished off the first round. By the time PJ fell asleep in the guest room at Julie’s, there’d been at least four more. But it was good. Being there with her sister was good, and Julie was right. PJ’d had to leave in order to ever come back on her own terms.

Chapter Nine

PJ had just finished some detail work for one of Duke’s motorcycle jobs. He stroked a hand down his beard and grinned as he took a closer look. “Thank you kindly, Penelope Jean. This is excellent work.”

Duke was a mellow guy. Usually. He was full of empty sweet talk. Duke’s main setting seemed to be charming flirt. But when he complimented her on her paint work, it was genuine.

“I’ve got a client here in ten minutes. Can you come by the showroom in fifteen? He’s after a really unique color, so I thought you might want to talk with him about some options.”

“Yes, that’s great. I’ll be there. Thanks, Duke.”

A few steps from the door he turned back to face her. “He’s not a bad guy.”

Seemed Asa’s paranoia about complications might have some basis in fact. “I don’t think he is. I think he’s a nice guy, as it happens.”

Duke grinned again. “He’s a loyal guy, yes. Brave. He saved my life. He carried me for three miles after I’d been shot.”

“I believe that. I’m glad he was there. I imagine you probably did your share of saving a time or two.”

His grin slid off his face for a moment before it was solid again. “You do what you need to. I don’t know how to do this, and normally I’d rather not get into his business this way. But don’t give up on him.”

Duke stepped back and spun, heading out. “See you soon,” he called as he went.

PJ was still thinking about that little exchange when she walked into the showroom just a few minutes later. Duke stood at the front desk with Asa and the guy who was most likely Duke’s client.

It hadn’t even occurred to her that Asa would be there, but it was too late to avoid him. It wasn’t like she didn’t see him when she was at Twisted Steel, but she tried to stay out of his way when she could.

Still, she wasn’t above being glad she’d fixed her hair and cleaned up before coming in to meet a customer.

Asa was in what was pretty much her favorite stance. Feet apart, arms crossed over his chest so his muscles bulged and his ink showed. He was so imposing and delicious, though she noted he needed to shave the sides of his head again.