I felt my cheeks go hot. It made me want to be grabbed, to feel those big hands all over me, squeezing my ass, running up my sides, cupping my breasts. I wanted to be scooped up and hoisted into the air, his lips on my neck as I tangled my fingers in those soft, black locks. I wanted to be tossed on a bed, to feel his muscled weight pressing me down into it. I wanted to be spread. Filled.

I tipped the screen slightly, trying to see his face again and—

He wasn’t looking at the back of my head, anymore. His eyes met mine in the reflection.

I fumbled the screen, dropped it and only just caught it in time. I got on with the job of fitting it, deliberately keeping it angled away from him.

This man had me fantasizing and crushing my legs together. And yet, when we’d been deep in our work, I’d started talking to myself, something I never, ever do unless I’m alone. He was gorgeous, exciting…but he was also just really easy to be with. And he didn’t tease me for being weird.

I finished gluing the new screen in place, connected the last wire and that was it: the laptop was fixed. I put down my tools and, as I stretched my neck, I saw the sky outside was dark. God, had I really spent the whole day here?

My brother would be home by now. I quickly messaged him to tell him I was in town and he said he’d pick me up. I gave him the address and looked around at my tools: I needed to start packing everything away.

And that’s when I realized it was over. In a few minutes, my brother would arrive and I’d go to his place. Tomorrow, I’d be back in Vegas and I’d never see Danny again.

It hit me right in the chest. An ache like I’d never felt, childishly stubborn. But I don’t want to go!

I glanced over my shoulder at Danny and the ache tightened. Don’t be stupid. You’ve known him less than a day. I’d only met him by pure chance. The plan was always to see my brother for one night, then tomorrow get back to my life in Vegas.

And suddenly, the memories I’d been holding back all day rushed in, my ex-boyfriend’s words stinging like slaps. Hot tears of humiliation prickled at my eyes.

I didn’t have a life in Vegas. Not anymore.

I slid off my stool and hurried towards the back of the garage, plunging into a maze formed by tool racks and stacks of tires. I could feel tears running down my cheeks and I wiped at them desperately, trying to get myself under control.

How could I have lost my boyfriend, my friends and my job, all in one go?!