The next morning, I waited patiently in my car that still sat in my driveway. Maria agreed to let me take her back to the shop today to pick up her car, but she was running late.

   I tapped my finger against the steering wheel, looking over at her house.

   Finally, her front door opened and she marched out, making a beeline for my car.

   I smiled as she got in. "Sorry, I couldn't find my wallet."

   "It's ok, I'm not in any rush." I replied.

   She smiled back. "Thanks again. I appreciate you doing this for me."

   I put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. "Don't mention it..."

   We pulled into Mickey's shop shortly after and I quickly got out, opening Maria's door for her.

   She blushed as she stepped out. "Thank you."

   I gave her a nod as Mickey joined us in the parking lot. "Bad news, Miss. I found another problem while I was replacing the head gasket. I'll need a little more time."

   Maria let out a sigh. "Ok. Thank you."

   Mickey nodded before addressing me. "Sorry to drag you all the way down here on your day off."

   I shrugged. "That's ok. Just don't find anymore 'problems' ok?"

   He nodded. "Sure thing."

   He headed back inside then.

   "So, what do you wanna do while we wait?" I asked.

   Maria tapped her chin. "There's this really great diner a few streets over. They have the best waffles in the world."

   I smiled, opening her door once again. "Lead the way..."

   After a short drive, we pulled into a little diner, heading inside and grabbing a table near the back.

   Maria ordered us waffles before turning to me. "So, how long have you been working on cars?"

   I shrugged. "Since I was a teenager. I got a job at a local chop shop."

   Her eyes widened a little and I just then realized what I had said. "It... Well, I didn't know it was a chop shop when I got the job."

   'Yeah right...'

   "What kind of work did you do at the shop?" Maria asked.

   I nervously fiddled with the silverware on the table. "Mostly vin jobs."

   She raised her eyebrow at me. "What's a 'vin job?'"

   A little smile grew on my lips. "Swapping vin tags from a stolen car. Making it seem like something it wasn't. Then we'd sell it for a lot more than it was worth."

   "What'd you do with the stolen car after?"

   "Strip it for parts and scrap the rest." I replied.

   She laughed then. "So, you were a criminal?"

   I shrugged, laughing a little in return. "Something like that."

   "What else did you get up to back then?" She asked.

   I found opening up to her about my past way to easy. "All kinds of stuff. After my dad passed, I kinda grew up on the streets. I had a little gang of other teenagers. We'd knock over smoke trucks and sell the cigarettes for half the price. Burn peoples cars for insurance money. Selling stolen nudie mags was always a big profit."

   Maria laughed more. "Sounds like you had an exciting childhood."

   I forced a laugh in return, the thoughts of my past swirling around my head. "Well, for a little while anyway..."

   She shook her head, the last few laughs slipping out. "Now I know why you got so nervous around Roger."

   My face fell then, my thoughts drifting to their faces. The blood. The smell. The dirt. I could remember it all so clearly. "Yeah... Now you know..."

   She took my hand from across the table. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you. I mean, that's all in the past now, right?"

   I forced a smile. "Right."

   Our food arrived then, cutting our conversation short.

   My mind raced as we ate. If only she knew what I was really capable of. I had a feeling she wouldn't be laughing then...

We made it back to Mickey's just as he was pulling Maria's car out of the shop, signaling it was ready to go.

We stepped out. "All fixed?" I asked.

Mickey nodded, handing Maria the keys. "What's the damage?" She asked.

I raised my hand before he could answer. "Don't worry about it."

Maria looked to me. "Are you sure?"

I gave her a smile and a nod. "Consider it a gift for showing me around town."

She smiled back. "Alright, thank you..."

Then, she surprised me by pulling me into a hug. I hesitated at first before wrapping my arms around her, taking in the scent of her perfume.

She pulled back. "I guess you don't have to drive me around anymore."

"I guess not..."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well... I'll see you later then?"

I nodded. "Definitely."

She smiled and gave us a wave before hopping in her car and taking off.

"She's cute." Mickey said.

I spun on him. "Take it easy."

He raised his hands, smirking. "No need to worry about me. She's got eyes for you and you alone."

I just rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I'll see you tomorrow."

He laughed and waved me off...

When I got back home, I saw Hector waiting in my driveway. I pulled up next to his car, rolling my window down. "Hello again."

He stepped out of his car, prompting me to do the same. "How're things going?"

I leaned against the side of my car, folding my arms over my chest. "So far so good." Then, my eyes drifted towards Buddy's house. "Although, I wish you would've left me at least one gun."

He folded his arms then, following my gaze. "You know the rules... Is there any trouble?"

I refaced him. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Dani-"

Maria walking over cut our conversation short. "Hey, Dani, who's this?"

"An old friend." I replied.

"Hector." He added, shaking Maria's hand.

"What's up, Maria?" I asked.

"I, uh, well I just wanted to invite you over for dinner. Consider it a thank you for the car."

"Maria, you don't have to." I said.

She shrugged. "To late, I already offered."

I felt a blush form on my cheeks. "Alright. Consider it a date."

She nodded. "Great. I'll see you at seven."

She waved us off before heading back to her house.

"You certainly move quick." Hector said.

"Is there anything else?" I asked.

"Nope. Just, stay outta trouble." He replied, getting back in his car.

After he left, I let out a sigh, heading back into my house...