A few more days passed with Erin keeping to herself, spending the time at home, reflecting on everything that had happened in the last few months. The weight of Ethan's departure still lingered in her mind, but she knew it was time to move forward. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little lost, unsure of what came next in the new chapter of her life.

Dax noticed the change in Erin. She hadn't been herself lately, quiet, distant, and not as quick to smile. He tried to give her space, respecting that she needed time to process everything, but it wasn't like Erin to hide away for long. He knew she'd bounce back, but this time, he wanted to help her do it in her own time.

One morning, he walked into the garage, the usual hum of the engine lifts and the clink of tools in the air. He made his decision then and there. "Alright, everyone," Dax said to Jinx and Rev, his voice calm but firm. "We're shutting it down for the week. I'm giving you all the week off. Go enjoy some time away, relax, and recharge. The garage will still be here when you get back."

Jinx and Rev exchanged surprised looks before both grinned. "About time," Rev chuckled, already planning a few days to himself. Jinx just nodded, his grin more mischievous.

Dax's mind wasn't on the crew, though. He was focused on Erin. He needed to make sure she was okay, and he knew what he had to do. He wasn't going to let her deal with everything alone, not after everything they had shared.

Later that afternoon, Dax drove to Erin's apartment, his thoughts swirling around. He couldn't stand seeing her so withdrawn, and he had a plan. He wasn't going to rush her or force her to talk before she was ready, but he was going to be there for her, whatever it took.

He knocked on her door, his heart pounding just a little faster than usual. After a moment, the door creaked open, and Erin stood there, wearing sweatpants and a soft hoodie. Her hair was tied back messily, and she looked like she hadn't bothered to leave the apartment in days.

"Hey," Dax said softly, giving her a warm smile.

Erin hesitated, her eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and exhaustion. "Hey, Dax."

"I was wondering if you wanted some company," Dax offered, his voice low and soothing. He wasn't pushing her to open up, but he couldn't just leave her like this. He knew she was hurting, and he wanted to help her find her way back.

Erin bit her lip, standing in the doorway, still unsure. But then something about his gentle presence, his calm, steady energy, pulled her in. She stepped back, allowing him inside.

"I'm not really in the mood for anything," she admitted, her voice soft and tired, but she eventually opened the door enough for him to slip past her.

"That's alright," Dax said. He walked in and looked around her apartment, the warm, familiar space. "I'm not here to force anything. Just here to be with you."

Erin nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I appreciate it, Dax. I just... I don't know. I feel like I'm in this weird headspace."

Dax walked over to the couch and sat down, his eyes never leaving her. "We don't have to talk about anything if you don't want to. We can just hang out, watch a movie, maybe even do absolutely nothing. I'm good with it all."

Her heart warmed at his words, the simple offer of just being present. She sat down next to him, leaning into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. His warmth immediately felt comforting, and for the first time in days, she felt a little lighter.

They didn't say much after that. The hours passed, and they simply enjoyed the quiet of each other's company. Dax had brought food over, something easy, takeout, nothing special, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that Erin didn't feel so alone anymore.

By the time the sun set, the apartment had become a cosy haven for the two of them. Dax, for once, wasn't rushing off to the garage or to check in on the crew. He had even turned his phone completely on silent. He was right there, beside Erin, making her feel safe, even if the world around them was still moving forward.

As the evening stretched on, Erin slowly relaxed, the tension in her shoulders easing. She let herself be present in the moment with Dax, letting his quiet strength fill the gaps where her thoughts used to spiral.

Eventually, they found themselves lying across the couch, Erin curled up beside him with a blanket pulled over them. She felt his arm around her, his warmth surrounding her, and the quiet sense of peace that filled the space between them.

"Thanks for this," Erin whispered, her eyes closed as she let herself settle into the comfort of his embrace.

"Always, Ace," Dax murmured softly. "Always."

The silence stretched between them again, but this time, it wasn't heavy. It was comfortable. Erin let her guard down, feeling herself drifting into a much-needed rest. Dax didn't rush her, didn't pressure her to talk. He simply let her be, understanding that sometimes, the best way to heal was to simply be together.

That night, Erin slept better than she had in weeks. Dax stayed by her side, never straying too far. She felt a sense of security and peace that had been missing for far too long.

The next morning, Erin woke up to the soft scent of coffee brewing and the sound of Dax humming quietly in the kitchen. She smiled, slowly stretching as she got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen. She found him there, already up and making breakfast, his focus on the eggs as he flipped them in the pan.

"Morning," she greeted him, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Good morning, Ace," Dax said, turning around and grinning at her. "You hungry?"

"Starving," she replied, feeling lighter than she had in days.

They ate breakfast together in a quiet, comfortable silence, the weight of the world seeming a little less heavy. With Dax by her side, Erin was starting to feel like herself again. And though she wasn't quite ready to dive back into work or fully face the past, she knew she didn't have to do it alone. For the first time in a long while, she felt the promise of a fresh start.

An hour later, Erin stepped out of the shower, the hot water having worked its magic to clear her head. She wrapped herself in a towel, the steam still lingering in the air. She padded softly into the bedroom, rummaging through her drawers for something comfortable to wear. Dax's presence in the living room had a steady tone in the background, the low sound of his phone occasionally breaking the stillness of the space. Erin couldn't help but smile as she thought about how comfortable she had become with him. It had been so long since she'd allowed herself to let someone in like this, and yet, it felt right.

When she emerged from the bedroom, now dressed in an oversized hoodie and leggings, Erin found Dax lounging on the sofa with a cup of coffee in hand. He was scrolling through his phone, absorbed in whatever he was looking at, but he looked up when she entered the room, flashing her a lazy grin.

"Morning," Dax greeted, his eyes softening as they settled on her.

"Morning," Erin replied with a sleepy smile, moving to the kitchen to grab her own coffee. As she poured herself a cup, she stole a glance at Dax, noting how relaxed he looked despite the underlying tension she knew had been on his mind lately. There was something he wasn't telling her, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to ask yet. She could wait.

Dax shifted, setting his coffee mug on the side table before standing up and stretching, his muscles moving in a fluid motion. He walked over to where Erin stood, giving her a side glance.

"You know," he began casually, "I've been thinking about something."

Erin turned toward him, raising an eyebrow in interest. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Well," Dax said, his grin widening slightly, "we've been so caught up in fixing up other cars for clients and stuff. What if we had a project, just the two of us?"

"Like a joint project?" Erin asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Exactly," he said, his voice taking on that familiar spark of excitement. "But hear me out. What if we built something insane? Something pure power. A drag car. Just speed and raw performance. No frills. No distractions. Just all-out horsepower."

Erin's eyes lit up at the idea. The thought of creating a car like that, one they could put their minds together to build from the ground up, sounded thrilling. She'd been so focused on everything else, but the idea of diving into a project where she could just focus on the mechanics, the speed, and the challenge, felt like the perfect escape from everything else going on.

"I'm listening," Erin said, walking over to the sofa and sitting beside him. "But you're gonna have to sell me on this."

Dax leaned back against the armrest, his eyes scanning the ceiling as he let his mind wander. "Well, think about it. A car built for pure drag racing. No limits. We could go all out on the engine, the weight reduction, the aerodynamics... I'm talking about a car that's going to leave the competition in the dust."

"I like the sound of that," Erin said, leaning in with enthusiasm. "But I'm assuming we're not going with a stock model for this, right?"

"Of course not," Dax said with a smirk. "We'll need something lightweight but powerful. Maybe a chassis from an old school muscle car, or a Japanese import that's got the potential to be turbocharged into oblivion."

Erin felt a spark of excitement run through her at the thought of the possibilities. A car like that, pure power and speed, would be the perfect challenge for both of them. "Alright, so we'll need something that can handle massive torque... something with potential for custom tuning. Maybe a classic American car? Or old-school European?"

Dax's eyes lit up. "A classic American muscle car could definitely work, Challenger or Charger maybe. But there's also a Toyota Celica GT or an S2000? It'd be easier to make adjustments, and they're light enough to handle the kind of speed we're talking about. Plus, the aftermarket support is massive."

Erin nodded thoughtfully. "I like where your head's at. But we'd need a proper drag setup for the suspension and a solid build for the engine. Turbocharged for sure, no question there."

Dax's grin grew wider. "Exactly. We could look into getting a bigger turbo, install a built engine block, high-flow injectors, beef up the fuel system... just take it to the next level."

"I'm in," Erin said with a determined glint in her eye. "Let's do this."

Dax chuckled, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. "Alright, then. Let's start writing down ideas. We'll need to figure out exactly what parts we'll need, how much we're willing to invest, and get a solid plan for the build. But this is going to be epic."

They grabbed a couple of notepads from the coffee table, and Dax pulled out his phone to start making notes. Having decided on the Japanese twist to drag racing. They got to work quickly, bouncing ideas off each other, scribbling down thoughts on engine components, turbo setups, and potential body modifications. Erin's mind raced as they wrote down everything that came to mind, every part, every tweak, every adjustment that would make their drag car stand out.

"I'm thinking carbon fibre everything," Erin said, her pen flying across the page. "No need for excess weight."

"Yeah, definitely. We could get a full carbon fibre hood, rear wing, even the fenders. Every pound counts."

"And we need an aggressive intercooler setup too, one that can handle the kind of power we're talking about," Erin added.

Dax nodded, his eyes lighting up as the project started to take shape. "We'll have to custom build some of this stuff ourselves. It'll be a lot of work, but we'll make it happen. And the paint job? That's your call."

Erin smiled at him, a little proud of how the plan was coming together. "I'm already thinking about it. I want something bold, something that will really stand out. Maybe a matte black finish with some neon accents. Something sleek."

"Sounds perfect," Dax said, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "This is going to be a fun ride."

They spent the next hour or so jotting down ideas, making lists, and hashing out the details of what would soon become their latest and most exciting project. As they worked together, Erin felt a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn't just about building a car. It was about building something together, something they could both be proud of.

As Dax leaned back in his seat, stretching after a long session of brainstorming, he looked over at Erin with a smile.

"This is going to be one hell of a project, Ace," he said.

"I know," Erin replied, a glint of determination in her eyes. "But we're in this together."

The plan was set. A new adventure had begun, and with it, the promise of something bigger, both in the world of cars and in their lives together.

That evening, after hours of discussing car parts, ideas, and dreams for their drag project, Erin decided they deserved a bit of a break. She picked up her phone and ordered some Chinese food, knowing it would be the perfect comfort food after a long day of planning and brainstorming.

When the doorbell rang, Dax grabbed the takeout bags with a grin, handing Erin her favourite dish: Kung Pao chicken, while he dug into his beef with broccoli in black bean sauce. They settled in on the couch, the warmth of the food filling the room as they talked about the car, but now it was more relaxed, the conversation flowing easily as they let themselves unwind. The familiar, comforting atmosphere was exactly what they both needed.

After dinner, they agreed on watching something light-hearted, a comedy film they both knew would put them at ease. As the movie played, Erin leaned back into the couch, Dax close beside her. The space between them gradually shrank, and their shoulders brushed each time one of them shifted.

By the time the credits rolled on the movie, the comfortable, quiet atmosphere had shifted into something more charged. Dax shifted to face her, his hand coming to rest gently on her knee. Erin met his gaze, a mix of affection and something more lingering in her eyes. She could feel the tension in the air between them.

"Everything okay?" Dax asked softly, his voice low, his thumb tracing small circles on her knee as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Erin nodded, but there was a hint of a smirk on her lips as she leaned in a little closer. "Everything's more than okay," she murmured.

And with that, they both seemed to forget about everything else, about the projects, the plans, the garage. Dax's lips found hers in a kiss, slow at first but quickly growing more heated. The touch of his hands on her waist, the warmth of his body next to hers, it felt like the right thing to do, like all the moments leading up to this had been pushing them forward, making this inevitable.

Erin's fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as the kiss deepened. She could feel her pulse quicken, her body responding to the closeness and the chemistry between them. She broke the kiss for a moment, her breathing shallow, her lips just inches from his as she looked into his eyes. "Are we really doing this?" she whispered, the question almost a joke, but she wanted to hear him say it.

Dax chuckled, his voice husky as he replied, "You're asking me like you're not already here with me."

Her smile widened, and in a moment of pure impulsiveness, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, meeting his lips again. It was all instinctive now, the need to be close, to connect in a way they hadn't yet. Dax's hands found her hips, guiding her closer as their bodies pressed together. They stumbled slightly, both laughing quietly before Erin stood up, pulling him with her.

They moved towards the bedroom, their lips never parting, their hands exploring as they fumbled with the door and made their way inside. Erin's heart raced, but it wasn't out of nerves, it was excitement, the kind of thrill that came from being with someone she trusted, someone who had been by her side for so long.

Once inside the room, Dax pulled away just long enough to look at her, a smile tugging at his lips. "You sure about this?"

Erin nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm more than sure."

And with that, they continued, finding their rhythm as they moved together, both of them shedding their lingering uncertainties. The night unfolded between the two of them as they lost themselves in each other, letting everything else fade away. The world outside might have been busy and chaotic, but in that moment, with Dax and Erin together, it felt like everything had slowed down, like time had paused just for them.

Eventually, after hours of closeness and conversation, they settled into bed, entwined in each other's arms. The room was quiet now, save for the soft sound of their breathing, both of them exhausted but content. Erin nestled her head against Dax's chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her ear as she let out a long, contented sigh.

"Tomorrow we'll get back to the project," Dax whispered, his fingers lightly tracing circles on her back.

Erin smiled, her hand resting against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Yeah," she said softly. "But for now, I'm happy just being here with you."

Dax kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer. "Same here, Ace. Same here."

And as they both drifted off to sleep, the night felt like the beginning of something deeper, something they were building together, both in their lives and in the world of cars.

The soft sunlight streamed through the window as Erin slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Dax. She stretched, enjoying the peaceful stillness of the morning, before quietly making her way to the kitchen. The faint sound of the coffee maker brewing filled the air, and Erin couldn't help but smile as she started mixing the batter for waffles, humming a tune as she moved around the kitchen. The sound of Dax's deep breathing from the bedroom was comforting, reminding her of how things felt different with him, more grounded and easier.

As the waffles began to cook, the smell of butter and syrup wafted through the house. Erin set the table, just a casual breakfast, nothing fancy, just a moment to enjoy each other's company before diving back into their drag project. She had barely finished when the soft padding of footsteps on the floor reached her ears.

Dax appeared in the doorway, still half-asleep, his hair a mess and his body bare except for a pair of sweatpants slung low on his hips. Erin tried not to smile too wide at the sight of him looking so relaxed and effortlessly handsome. His eyes squinted against the morning light, but his voice was warm when he spoke.

"You're up early," he said, rubbing his face and walking over to the notes they'd written the previous night. He grabbed the stack of papers from the counter, flipping through them lazily, clearly already deep in thought about their project.

Erin let out a small laugh as she flipped a waffle onto the plate. "Early? I've been up for ages. I just couldn't sleep much more with you snoring so loudly," she teased, winking at him as she slid the plate and some syrup over to him.

Dax raised an eyebrow, his smirk clearly trying to mask his amusement. "Oh, is that so? I guess I'll have to keep it down next time."

"Good luck with that," Erin shot back with a grin as she set her plate of waffles down on the table.

Dax gave a lazy shrug before sitting down, eyes still on the notes in his hands. "You know, I was thinking last night... what if we pushed the limits on the engine more than we initially planned? Maybe some more custom modifications could give us that edge we're after."

Erin poured herself a cup of coffee, settling across from him. "I thought we were going for something more balanced, not just sheer power." She took a sip, considering his words. "But I'm game. If you think we need it, let's add it to the list. The M3's build was all about precision, but this is about raw performance."

Dax nodded slowly, still reading over the notes as if figuring out the puzzle in his mind. "Yeah. If we're really gonna make this car stand out, we need it to be able to handle every aspect, power, speed, handling, just like a track car, but with a drag edge."

Erin smiled at him, feeling that familiar sense of excitement building again. "You've always got ideas. I like it. We'll make this car a beast."

As he looked up at her, their eyes met. This project car, it wasn't just about performance for them. It was about creating something together, something that represented who they were. And maybe, just maybe, it was about building their future, bolt by bolt, engine part by engine part.

Dax smiled back, the morning light softening the edges of his usually intense expression. "We make a good team, Ace."

Erin grinned, her stomach doing a little flip at the way his smile made her feel. "We sure do."

They continued their breakfast, the conversation drifting from their car plans to small talk about their favourite tracks, the best builds they'd seen at meets, and their plans for the next few months. But through it all, Erin couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment in this new flow they were finding together. The early mornings, the quiet moments, the way they worked side by side.

And as they finished breakfast, Dax's hand brushed hers lightly, and in that instance, everything else faded away.

"Well," Erin said, standing up to clear the table, "I guess we should get to work, huh?"

"Definitely," Dax agreed, following her to the kitchen, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than usual.

Their day began as they cleared up and moved to the garage attached to her place.

The sun was beginning to set as Dax and Erin worked side by side, the atmosphere a comfortable mix of quiet determination and the occasional teasing banter. The space had always been full of old tools, spare parts, and a few unfinished projects, but today, it was getting a complete overhaul. They were moving everything around, clearing out the clutter, and making room for the new project they'd decided to dive into, just the two of them, no distractions, no outside customers.

"So, how do you want to tackle this?" Erin asked, wiping a smudge of grease off her hands with an old rag. She had just moved a couple of heavy boxes, and now she was surveying the space, mentally organising where everything would go.

Dax shot her a sideways glance as he moved a stack of tyres. His gaze lingered a bit too long, his lips curving into that familiar half-smile that made Erin's stomach flutter. "Well, first of all, we need to get rid of all this junk." He gestured to a pile of old car parts and tools that had been gathering dust. "I didn't realise you were such a hoarder, Ace."

Erin raised an eyebrow at him, putting her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? I'm a car enthusiast, not a hoarder," she retorted, a playful glint in her eyes. "And this junk is gonna be useful one day, just you wait. You never know when you might need a spare carburettor or a rusty bumper."

Dax chuckled, walking over to her and gently nudging her with his shoulder. "You're gonna be the death of me, you know that?" he teased. "I'll be knee-deep in spare parts and you'll be the one to blame."

Erin smirked, rolling her eyes but feeling a warmth spread through her chest at how easy it was to joke with him. "I'm not the one dragging my feet over here." She grabbed a box and started sorting through it, tossing a few things in the "throwaway" pile.

Dax followed suit, though not without shooting her a sly grin. "You know, you're actually making this look fun. Is that your secret? Flirting while cleaning up?"

She glanced over at him, pretending to act all innocent. "Who's flirting?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she gave him a teasing smile.

"Oh, I don't know," Dax replied, getting closer, his tone shifting slightly as he leaned in a little. "Couldn't help but notice how your hands keep brushing against mine." He gently nudged her side, his voice a low murmur. "Maybe you just like working with me."

Erin felt a spark shoot through her at the closeness between them, her heart picking up pace for a moment. "You wish," she countered, though the smile on her face betrayed her. "You're just lucky I like working on cars, otherwise I'd have kicked you out of here hours ago."

He let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Nah. I don't think I'd let you do that. You're too into me now to give me the boot."

She rolled her eyes, but the light teasing in her voice betrayed how much she enjoyed their banter. "Keep talking like that and I'll make you finish the rest of this on your own."

Dax's eyes twinkled as he stepped back, hands held up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll be good. Just don't send me out of here." He moved to help clear another stack of parts, making room on the floor for the car they'd eventually be working on together.

As they continued to work, the atmosphere between them shifted subtly. There was a certain ease in the way they moved together, like they'd done this hundreds of times before. The teasing, the light touches, the way they shared a quiet moment between clearing out the garage, everything felt comfortable and natural.

A few hours later, the space was almost cleared out, with only a few more odds and ends to organise. Dax wiped his brow with the back of his hand, looking over at Erin with a satisfied grin. "Looks like we're making some real progress here. We might even have room for a project car soon."

Erin smiled back, leaning against one of the garage pillars. "I'd say we've got the perfect space for it now." She bit her lip as she regarded him, feeling a surge of excitement. "So... when do we go car hunting?"

Dax's smile softened, his eyes meeting hers. "Whenever you're ready. I'm all in on this project, Ace."

The air between them felt charged, the unspoken connection growing stronger as they stood there, the garage finally looking more like the home for a new build than a messy storage space. Dax took a step toward her, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You know," he said softly, his voice low, "I like doing this with you. Working together, building things. But if I'm being honest..." He paused, taking a deep breath, before continuing, "I like spending time with you even more."

Erin's heart skipped a beat. She didn't say anything at first, just holding his gaze as she moved closer to him, her hands brushing over his. The subtle touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt the magnetic pull between them intensify. She let out a quiet sigh, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"I like spending time with you too," she whispered, her voice hushed but sincere.

And in that moment, as they stood in the middle of the half-cleared garage, the world around them seemed to fade. All that mattered was this space, this project, and the growing connection between them. All they needed now was which car to decide on.