“Hello?” she called out. She peeked into the back office and then out into the bays in the attached garage. “Hello?” she repeated. She stepped into the garage, her heels clicking against the concrete floor, as she tip-toed down each bay, maneuvering around cars until she spotted hers. She walked over to it and found a set of legs hanging beneath it. It was Ethic. Even though his upper body was hidden beneath her car, she could feel his presence. There was something about him that felt powerful, kingly, as if he was meant to dominate. She bent down to tap his wheat-colored Timberland boot. He lifted his head, slightly, to peek at her and she flattened her lips in a straight line as she waved. Ethic rolled from beneath the car and sat up, before pulling a pair of wireless Beats from his ears.

“Hi,” was all she could think to say. “I’ve come to settle my debts.” She stood to her feet and pulled out a wad of money.

“I told you, it was on the house,” he responded. His tone was different, less approachable than it had been the first time she had been in his presence. He dusted himself off, wiping his hands on a towel, as he stood to his feet. He brushed by her, headed back toward the lobby. “Let me grab your keys and you can be on your way.”

She frowned. He was cold. Something had happened. Something had shifted.

“Oh, okay,” she said. What else could she say? She couldn’t tell him that the only time in the past week that she had smiled had been in his presence. She couldn’t tell him that the hug he had given her had made her feel the safest she had in years. This man in front of her was all business. He wasn’t the caring guy she had gone to the movies with. Maybe he thinks I’m a ho. He had time to think about what happened at my job. He handed her the keys.

“Thanks. Have a good night,” she said.