I turn to face him. “Whose birthday? Elizabeth’s or Jessie’s?”

“Tsk. Tsk. You didn’t know it’s Jessie’s birthday? You are a shit boyfriend, boyfriend!”

“How was I supposed to know? She didn’t say anything.”

“Did you ask?”

I shake my head and turn to the computer. “One serious relationship and you’re an expert now?”

“I’m a quick study when it matters.” He’s an idiot. But he’s also right.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone who matters to me as much as JB does. It hasn’t escaped my notice that JB could also stand for Jessica Bennett. It’s crazy to think like that, like maybe someday she’ll be my wife, but I can’t help it. It’s how I am. If I’ve got something good going, I look for a way to make it permanent. Keep it. And this thing with Jessie isn’t good, it’s fucking amazing. Even the thought of that bright smile and sunshine hair makes me grin like an idiot.

“What time are they supposed to come by?”

“Jessie didn’t say?”

I let out an irritated sigh. “I don’t keep tabs on her. She drops by whenever she wants.”

I glare at him until he answers. “About six.”

I pull out my phone and check the time. Five past four. I’ve got less than two hours to figure out the perfect gift for her.

“Sean!” I shout into the bays.

He pops over with a “What’s up, Boss?”

“Watch the counter. I’ll be back before six.”

“Got it.” He gives me a thumbs up and slides behind the counter.

“I can watch it for you,” Austin offers.

I snatch my keys off my desk in the back and crook a finger at him. “You’re coming with me, Dr. Strangelove.”

He shakes his head in disappointment. “You’re using that reference wrong.”

“What reference?” I ask.

“Dr. Strangelove. The movie?”

Ever since Elizabeth, he’s not only a relationship expert, but an old movie critic too.

“You’ve never seen it?” he asks, shocked. I shake my head. “Man, it’s hilarious. We shou—”

“Later,” I cut him off. “We’ve got a job to do now.”

“Yes, boss!” he jeers, following me out of the shop with a mocking militant stomping of his feet.

After he watched the shop for me, I let Sean go. I’ve closed everything up, rolled down the big bay doors and cleaned up everything except the car I’m working on. I’m the last one in the shop, except Austin, who’s still waiting on Elizabeth. He’s a pain in the ass, but I’m glad he was around to help me out today. He let me eliminate a dozen gift ideas, like every suggestion he had. The top of his list? A vibrator. What the actual fuck?