Granted, I had a few shit ideas myself. Top of my list? Sweatpants. Girls like being comfortable. Made sense at the time. Austin vetoed that one pretty quick.

I’m nearly done changing an alternator with Austin pretending to help when he shoots up and dashes off. He hits Elizabeth like a love-seeking missile, wrapping her in a bear hug and swinging the tiny woman around like a crazed lunatic. Elizabeth’s giggles make me think it’s a regular occurrence.

I wipe off my hands with the rag in my pocket and watch Jessie stroll up to me with those irresistible legs. She slips her arms around my neck and places a kiss on my cheek.

“Hey there, Big Man,” she simpers.

I take a deep breath, the smell of her overtaking me. The shop smell fades to the soft scent of cookies, sweet and delicious. I tuck the rag back in my pocket before cupping her face in my hands and kissing the ever-loving shit out of her. I’m starving for this woman.

“Hey there, JB.” I place a quick kiss on the tip of her perfect nose.

“We’re out,” Austin calls to us as he guides Elizabeth out to the parking lot. She gives us a quick wave, tucked into Austin’s side. “Happy birthday, Jessie.”

“Thanks.”

I frown at the reminder that Austin and Elizabeth both know shit about my girlfriend I don’t. I turn away from her and return to work. She leans against the grill and stares down at me.

“Well?” she asks.

“Well what?” I call from under the hood.

“Well, are you going to wish me happy birthday?” She slaps me on the ass and I have to bite back a laugh.

“Might. If you’d bothered to tell me it was your birthday.” I let my annoyance seep through.

I reach for a crescent wrench, but she snatches it before I can. I straighten up and grab for it, but she slides it behind her as quick as can be.

“Jessie…” I growl.

“Devin…” she cajoles. “Talk to me.”

I shift her hips and pin her against the car. Her eyes dance with lust. She likes it when I’m handsy. I glare down at her, my grip on her tight and possessive.

“You’re mad at me!” She’s more surprised than angry. She rests her hand on the familiar spot on my chest. “On my birthday?”

I let out a sharp breath. “Which I had to find out from Austin instead of my girlfriend.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.”

“You could’ve asked.”

“I shouldn’t have to ask. If something is going on with my girlfriend, she should tell me.”

Her head lists to the side. “I wasn’t trying to keep a secret. I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

I grunt an acknowledgement. I get downplaying it, but she still should’ve told me. “You told Elizabeth.”