Her head snapped up, and her posture stiffened as if a metal rod had been shoved into her spine, but she didn’t turn around or respond.

Worried that he’d somehow frightened her, he cringed and took a nonthreatening step back. She hadn’t looked back at him yet, but if she decided to, he didn’t want to seem like he was towering over her. He was a pretty built guy, and it wouldn’t be the first time that his appearance alone had intimidated someone.

He purposely softened his tone to keep his deep voice from sounding too harsh. “I was just driving past and saw you stranded here. I’m a mechanic so I thought I might be of some assistance.”

The woman rose slowly to her feet and cocked her head back slightly as she released a sound of annoyance from the back of her throat. Though it was barely audible, the quiet noise reverberated through him as if her vocal cords were two cymbals crashing together.

His body stilled. No. It couldn’t be.

The moment she turned around to face him, his mouth fell open. Probably due to the whirlwind of emotions that were bitch-slapping him in the face.

She shook her head. “It doesn’t take a genius—or a mechanic—to change a flat tire, Brett.”

He blinked rapidly, not believing his eyes. “Sidney?”

She huffed out an irritated breath. “Oh, come on. I don’t look that different.”

No, she didn’t. Actually she was just as gorgeous as ever. But the last person he expected to come face-to-face with was his ex-girlfriend of all people. Not only that, but it had been almost a year since he’d last laid eyes on her, and he hadn’t known she’d grown out her brunette hair.

He’d never seen Sidney with long hair before, but the short, choppy do she used to sport while they were dating was now trailing down her back with lighter-colored pieces framing her heart-shaped face. It looked great. The flattering style really brought out the rich color in her warm brown eyes.

But that crisp white pant suit she was wearing? Holy hell.

Sidney had always dressed in a classic, conservative style that included tailored clothing, high-quality fabrics, and lots of neutral colors. In fact, he hadn’t even thought it possible for her to look any more sophisticated and elegant than she had back when they were dating. Yet the woman never failed to surprise him.

Brett didn’t know exactly what it was about her modest attire that always sent his tongue wagging. Most guys he knew went for women in low-cut tops and high-rise skirts. Those were nice and all. But give him Sidney in a tailored blouse and a pair of pressed pants, and he’d be hard for days.