“Holy shit, I’m getting married!” Austin says on a satisfied sigh.

“She has to say yes first.”

“Fuck off. Who could say no to this?” The idiot points up to his cheesy-ass grin and I shake my head at his giant ego. “Speaking of making the ladies scream yes, how’s it going with Jessie?”

“Like cuddling up with a hand grenade. One more shitty date and she’ll be out of my hair.”

“Shitty?” Austin asks.

I nod. “She promised to leave me and my shop alone if she got three dates. I’m making sure it ends at three.”

Austin chuckles. “And how’s that going for you?”

“She thinks everything is fucking sunshine and rainbows. That woman could find something good to say about a goddamn apocalypse.” I let out a deep sigh and take a long pull of my beer.

“Exhausting, isn’t it?” Austin goes doe-eyed, thinking about Elizabeth again, no doubt. “But it’s kind of amazing too. Like seeing the world through the eyes of a kid. Everything is new and exciting.”

I grunt a lukewarm agreement and nod. Jessie’s insistence on being excited about the most mundane shit is obnoxious, considering I’m trying to get rid of her. But Austin’s right. There’s something endearing about it at the same time. Her optimism is contagious.

“Why does it have to end at three? Elizabeth thinks you two’d be great together.”

I narrow my eyes at him, grumbling at his stupid-ass idea. “Your girlfriend doesn’t know shit about me.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s wrong.” Austin sips his beer and smiles.

“Yes. It does.” I’m not going to deny there’s a fire raging between Jessie and me, but it will burn out quick enough. Girls like her don’t stay with guys like me. They marry bankers or CEOs, not tattooed mechanics. I’m nothing more to her than a way to pass the time.

Austin shakes his head at me. Falling in love has rotted his brain. “I’m just saying, why rush it? Have fun and see where it goes.”

“I know where it’s going.”

“No. You know where you’re gonna keep it from going.”

I shake my head. “I’m too old for college girls and their bullshit.”

“Dude, you’re twenty-five, not fifty.”

“I know what I want. Where I’m going. Don’t need to waste a couple years on someone still trying to figure it out.”

Austin rolls his eyes, something he’s picked up from Elizabeth. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Exactly.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Says you.” I take the last sip of my beer and make my way to the kitchen.