The guy swung around, phone in one hand. ‘What?’

‘Um, are you okay?’

He waved in the direction of the convertible in front of him. ‘Not really. I got a parking ticket.’ He fluttered the slip of paper in the air, disgusted. ‘And if that wasn’t irritating enough, I have a flat tire, and now I have to call Triple A to get them to come change it.’

‘Why do you have to call Triple A? Don’t you know how to change a flat? Or do you not have a spare?’ She knew she sounded shocked, and maybe even a little judgmental, but she couldn’t help it.

A whole new level of bright red suffused the guy’s face, and Holly had a feeling it had nothing to do with the heat or his anger. ‘Nope, don’t know the first thing about changing a tire.’ His brown-eyed gaze bounced between Holly and Sophie while a crooked smile lifted one corner of his mouth. ‘Don’t suppose you know, do you?’ The tone of his voice implied he was joking.

‘Actually, yes, we do. Would you like us to help?’

Sophie’s neck snapped in her direction, and from the corner of her eye, Holly could see her friend’s mouth hanging open. She had an urge to recite one of her grandma’s favorite sayings: better shut that before the flies get in and nest.

The word ‘oh’ formed on the guy’s lips, but no sound emerged. ‘I, uh, was joking when I asked that.’ He cocked his head to the side and cleared his throat. ‘But, really, you know how to change a tire? Both of you?’

Whether it was the incredulous, doubtful tone of his voice, or the fact she was a little insulted at the implication that she was lying, Holly responded by arching one brow and placing her hands on her hips. ‘What? Because we’re girls, and girls can’t change tires?’

Realizing the insult for what it was, the guy backpedaled. ‘I’m sorry. That was… of course, I didn’t mean… I mean why wouldn’t you…’

‘Yes, we know how to change a tire.’ She moved her thumb back and forth in the air between Sophie and herself. ‘My dad made us learn before he’d let us drive.’

‘Well, my dad believes it’s easier to pay someone to do things like that.’

Holly didn’t know him and couldn’t be sure, of course, but the way he mumbled the words made it sound like he was embarrassed by the admission. She reached out a hand. ‘I’m Holly, by the way. This is my best friend, Sophie.’ She turned slightly, angling her body so that she was almost facing the precinct. ‘My mom’s a detective here, and we dropped by to visit her for a bit.’

A cloud dropped over the guy’s face as he lifted his eyes to the tinted windows of the police station, but then he shook his head and dropped his gaze back to Holly, extending his hand first to her and then to Sophie.