“He does the best custom paint job on bikes I’ve ever seen. Couldn’t believe he agreed to work here.” Griff cupped his mouth and bellowed, “Jinx.”

The man pulled off his face shield to give a menacing look, but Griffin and the mechanic just burst out laughing. Finally, the artist threw down his gloves and struck out to meet them.

He didn’t say a word, just gave Griffin a look that said, What?

Griff smiled. “Don’t look at me. He’s the one who wants to talk to you.” He tipped his chin toward Brodie.

“Hey, man.” Brodie shook the guy’s hand. “I’ve got some artisan stalls available in Owl Hoot, if you want to work outside this summer. You could hand out your business card. Should be good for business.”

A little rough around the edges—with that long hair and ink—Jinx looked like he’d stopped giving a shit a while ago. He had a darkness about him, for sure.

Griff elbowed him.

“No. It’d be a pain in the ass to move everything out there. And I wouldn’t want someone to steal my shit.” Jinx started off. “Thanks, though.”

A car door slammed. “Hey, guys.” Griff’s younger sister, Skylar, sashayed over, flashing Brodie a big smile. “Congrats on your brother’s wedding.”

“Thanks.” He didn’t miss the way Jinx lingered, his attention fully on Skylar.

“What brings you out to the shop?” she asked.

“Well, I came to see if Jinx wanted to work in Owl Hoot this summer, but now that you’re here, I’ve just had another idea. I’d like to hire you.”

“Ah, Brodie,” she said. “It’s about time you got a make-over. What kind of look are we going for?”

Griff and the mechanic cracked up, and Brodie smiled. “What’s to improve about this?” Brodie’s hand swept from his head down his T-shirt and jeans-clad body to his black motorcycle boots. “But I do need a social media manager for Owl Hoot to get the word out about the town.” Good thing he hadn’t paid someone to market it before—it hadn’t been ready. It would be now.

“She’s an image consultant, dude,” the mechanic said.

Skylar pretended to take a hat off with one hand and put another one on with the other. “And look at that. I’m also a social media manager.” She shrugged. “Hey, I’ve got a toddler. I’ll do anything for a buck.”

“Great,” Brodie said. “Why don’t you write up a proposal, and we’ll talk about it?” He shook hands with everyone, and when he got to Jinx said, “If you change your mind—”

Jinx shot a look to Skylar. “You gonna be working over there?”

She nodded. “I am.”

“I’m in,” Jinx said. “When can I bring my equipment over?”

After a moment of stunned silence, everyone broke out laughing.