Jenn wants Scott's decision

The ride to the bike shop and the start of the day were easy. He met Julio, the other guy that worked in the shop, signed a form they had forgotten the other day and started doing some oil changes. The garage was busy, but with Scott added into the mix there were three of them and only two bays. Without any bikes to work on at the moment it was slow and kind of awkward. Scott wondered if they had looked into expanding the garage. It had started out a one-man operation with Bob doing everything, then when he added the bike shop, he added some other people. Now they had Bob, Jenn, Scott and Julio, and were looking to add a part-time sales person.

Scott liked working in the garage, Julio was quiet for the most part, and he could just get into the job and tune out everything else. Engines made sense, you hear a problem, you find the problem, you fix the problem, and it’s done. He liked the Army because if you saw a problem you didn’t have to call the customer, tell them the cost and see if they wanted it fixed, you just fixed it. But the Army also had more people over his shoulder than Bob’s did. And the Army didn’t have Jenn randomly walking through, asking for updates, bringing you coffee or just standing there watching you work for a bit.

The morning flew by, and soon it was time for his lunch.

“Julio, can you watch the garage? I’m going to take the rookie out for lunch.”

“Sure thing Jenn.” Then Julio, under his breath, “Lucky bastard.”

“Me, lucky?”

“Going to lunch with Jenn.”

“You clearly don’t know her like I know her.”

Julio just laughed.

Scott met Jenn out back, her bike already running.

“Hop on.”

“I’m riding bitch?”

“Suck it up Scott and get on.”

Scott climbed on behind Jenn and wrapped his arms around her.

“Hold on tight Scott.”

He squeezed her a little.

“Like that.”

Jenn pulled out and headed away from town.

Scott could see why she told him to hold on, she wasn’t out here to have a nice cruise, she was really moving. Scott was careful to keep his weight in line with hers and not move but his heart was racing as she took each turn.

When they finally pulled into Dick’s Diner Scott was fuming.

“Seriously Jenn, what was that?”

“What?” she asked.

“Driving like that with a passenger, we could have wrecked.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.”

“We used to ride like that when we were 16 Scott, you aren’t some virgin out here.”

“Yeah, when we were 16 and didn’t really care if we saw 17. I’d rather not go to the emergency room now thank you.”

She looked confused. “I’m sorry Scott, it’s just, we used to ride like that all the time. You used to tell me to go faster.”

Scott took a deep breath. “I know, I just don’t like taking those chances now.”

Jenn smiled, “Well, I guess it’s a good sign you don’t have a **** wish anymore.”

“Yeah, now we just need to deal with yours.”

“I don’t have a **** wish; I just don’t crash.”

“Famous last words.”

“I’ll go slower on the way back, you okay to eat or do you need to go change your pants.”

“You’re funny Jenn.” Scott said as he walked towards the diner. “But looks aren’t everything.”

“Oh God Scott, that’s awful, did you pick that up hanging out at the nursing home?”

“Hey, where else are you going to find a good bridge game?”

Jenn laughed as she held the door for him.

“Hey Jenn, how’s your dad doing? haven’t seen him out for a while.” The lady behind the counter asked.

“He’s doing really good, Doctor says he can ride again, but he’s nervous. Don’t tell him I said that though.”

“Hey I get it, don’t mess around when it’s your heart.”

They got a booth.

“This a new beau Jenn?”

“Oh no Gladys, he’s our new mechanic, just starting today.”

She put down the menus and walked away. “That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.”

Scott laughed. “Did you bring me here to seduce me boss?”

Jenn turned pink. “No Scott, but we do need to talk.”

He could see she was serious. “Okay, is this about work?”

“No, you’re doing great, you guys are really moving, our last guy would talk to Julio a lot and mess him up, he did a lot better today.”

“Nice, being anti-social has some value after all.”

“We need to talk about us.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea Jenn? I mean, we’re co-workers now.”

“It’s just been awkward all morning. You seem different Scott, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t focus, I just don’t know where we stand. I don’t want to pressure you into making a choice, but if something has changed, please let me know.”

“Since I saw you two days ago?”

“Yeah.”

“Actually, a lot has happened.”

Jenn looked really nervous. “And?”