He started to shake it, then looked at his dusty palm. “Sorry.”
“And you are?”
“Mark. Trudeau. Rick’s friend, Mark Trudeau.” He said it in a strange way. Nervous guy, it seemed.
“Pleased to meet you, Rick’s friend, Mark Trudeau.”
“Likewise. I’ve heard a lot about you from Rick.”
“You have?” What had Rick told him?
“Sure. It’s all good. Rick likes his job.”
“I’m glad. I was afraid he’d be bored.”
“No, no. He’s having a great time.”
“That’s good then.”
But she could tell there was more he knew or wanted to say. Had Rick mentioned the kiss? Maybe not if Mark knew Rick’s girlfriend. What was she like? Samantha wondered.
Silence fell and Mark rubbed his hands on his slacks. “I’d better get back to this.” He motioned at the tire. “My wife’s expecting me.”
“Let me at least get you something cold to drink,” she said and went inside for a Dr Pepper. By the time she returned, he was putting on the new tire.
“Thanks,” he said, taking a long swallow.
“So, you know Rick well?”
“Well enough.” He didn’t seem to want to say more, but her curiosity was strong.
“How long have you known him?”
“I guess three, four years.” He paused, noticed her interest and continued. “Yeah, he’s over to the house a lot. He likes my wife’s cooking. And my kids. Gets into the video games with my son.”
“Does his girlfriend come, too?” Might be a clue to how serious they were. Valerie hadn’t picked up a “taken” vibe from him, after all. “Does she like video games?”
“His girlfriend?” As soon as the words were out of the guy’s mouth, regret rushed across his face.
Mark didn’t know about her. Which meant one thing. “Rick doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he, Mark?”
Mark shrugged. “Could be new. Rick’s a private guy.”
“I don’t think that’s it.” Not at all. Come to think of it, Samantha had been the one who’d mentioned someone else and there’d been a flicker of confusion before Rick had jumped on it with apparent relief. Why had he lied? What did he think she was going to do? Try to have his love child? Get her old-fashioned parents to arrange a shotgun wedding?
“Me and my big fat mouth.” Mark looked physically ill.
“I won’t tell him you blew his cover. Don’t worry.” She tried to laugh. “I don’t get why he thought he had to lie.”
“Rick keeps people at arm’s length.”
“Maybe.” He’d literally done that after the kiss—held her away, both arms extended, fighting her and temptation.
“I’m no shrink, but I’m sure it’s—what do they call it?—fear of intimacy? Gloria and me are always after him about getting involved with someone.”
“I guess I can see that.”
“Rick’s a straight arrow. Lotta rules of conduct. No hooking up at work for sure.”
“I bet that’s it. Yeah.”
“It’s not personal, I know that. He likes you, like I said. Speaks highly of your work and your integrity and…you know….”
“Sure. I know.”
Relieved, Mark got busy with his tire again.
She knew Rick was attracted to her, so it wasn’t that. Maybe he thought she’d make too much of the sex. She should have been more clear. Maybe if she’d said straight out, I want sex and only sex, she’d be in bed with him right now, instead of listening to his buddy cook up excuses for him.
Mark patted the ground beside him for a lug nut she could see was just out of reach. She plopped onto the curb, grabbed it and handed it to him.
“Thanks,” he said.
The good news was that now she knew nothing stood between them except Rick’s wrong impression of her. If all he wanted was sex, then she was his girl.
She handed Mark his wrench.
He swore mightily, then apologized to her.
“Swear away,” she said, pondering her next move. As she handed Mark tools, then his soda, then the jack handle, a plan began to form in her mind and her hurt feelings turned to excitement.
“Got it,” Mark said, sitting up, wiping sweat from his face with the back of his forearm, streaking dirt like war paint across his forehead.
“Hang on,” she said and used a napkin to clean him off.
“Thanks for the help,” he said to her. “You okay with the Rick thing? I mean if what I said causes a problem, I—”
“I’m fine. Better than fine. Understanding Rick better can only help us work better together.”