Today was supposed to be the day she’d start training me as a mechanic. The other guy who works here, Bernie, has been fired so many times I can’t imagine why he keeps coming back.

But today Bernie isn’t here.

Isa is leaning under the hood of a car with someone else—a guy. A burst of excitement rushes through me at the prospect of seeing Vic.

I hold my head up high and say in a confident voice, “I’m ready for my first day of training.”

The guy looks up. It’s not Vic. He’s got dark hair that falls down his forehead and an air of confidence that reminds me of Vic.

“I need to talk to Vic first, if that’s okay,” I ask Isa.

“It’s fine with me, but he’s not here,” she says.

“He’s not?” Wow. From what Isa told me, he’s been holed up in the upstairs apartment since the accident. “Where did he go?”

“Beats me.” Isa gestures to the wall. “If you’re ready to work, there’s a coverall hangin’ over there. Put it on so your clothes don’t get dirty.”

“Thanks.” I grab the coveralls and step into them. The scent of men’s cologne mixed with the familiar smell of a guy is prevalent on the coveralls…Vic’s scent. After I zip it up, I look at the embroidered name tag on the front that reads VICTOR.

It’s strange, but I feel empowered wearing them. It’s like the minute I put them on, I inherited Vic’s confidence. Knowing that I’m taking his place while he doubted me gives me a renewed sense of determination.

I walk over to Isa and the guy who’s helping her work on the car. I’m trying not to think about Vic and his whereabouts, but he’s all I can think about. Where would he go?

“I’m ready,” I tell them. “Put me to work.”

Both Isa and the guy look at me. “What do you know about cars?” the guy asks.

“Not much.”

He raises a brow. “You know how to change oil? Tires?”

Time to give them the brutal truth. “I know how to pump gas and drive. That’s pretty much the extent of my car knowledge. While I don’t have any hands-on knowledge, I did watch a video on how to do an oil change. And a tire rotation, although I’m a little fuzzy on the details.”

A chuckle escapes from the guy’s mouth. “Isa, you hired a mechanic who doesn’t know shit about cars.”

“I’m aware of that. But she’s free labor for now, so she’ll work out just fine.” Isa pats the guy’s shoulder. “You can teach her stuff, Alex. I have faith in you. Hell, you taught me everythin’ I know about cars.”

I nod. “I’m a fast learner,” I add excitedly. “And my dad taught me how to drive stick shift.”

He doesn’t seem impressed. “I guess I can teach her how to do an oil change, drain transmission fluid, and change brake pads.”

“You’re the best,” Isa says. “I forgot to introduce you. Monika, this is my friend Alex. We grew up together. He’s a genius when it comes to fixin’ cars.” She looks down and shifts her feet. “Truth is, this place would’ve gone under a long time ago if it weren’t for him and his wife.”

Alex shakes his head as if he doesn’t deserve any credit. “No es gran cosa. Bernie has been helpin’ you out, but you’re just too stubborn to give him credit.”

“Don’t say it’s not a big deal,” Isa insists. “It is. And don’t mention the B word again. When I talked to Brittany this morning about Vic and all the problems I’m having at the shop, I didn’t expect her to send you here.” She pretends to pick at a piece of lint on her coveralls. “You have your graduate work at the university to do, Alex. You and Brit don’t need to rescue me. You’ve got your kid to worry about, and a pregnant wife.”

I feel sorry for Isa. She looks and acts tough, but she just showed a glimpse that she’s vulnerable and sad. I would hug her like Ashtyn and I hug when we’re sad, but I’d be afraid that Isa would slug me if I did that. She intimidates me, but I kinda like that because she doesn’t treat me like I’m some kind of fragile diva.

“It’s cool,” Alex says. “Brit and I want to help, so go work and I’ll teach Monika some stuff so she’s not standin’ around doin’ nada.”

Isa leaves me in Alex’s care after announcing that she has to run an errand. I’m jittery, because it’s obvious I’m not the least bit qualified to fix cars. It’s comforting that Alex is going to help me, though. He doesn’t look put out or upset about it, either.