Talkbooks

The Other Side of Someday is LIVE!!!

Synopsis
Falling in love? Courtney Grayson has been there, done that.

Men, who needs them? Love wasn’t everything she thought it would be. This time around she’s doing things differently. She hasn’t sworn off men for good, just isn’t interested in settling. Trusting someone with her heart again? Someday, but not today.

Falling in love? Sorry, Clay Bradshaw is not the guy for you.

He’s never been in love and he doesn’t see it happening. Hooking up can be fun, but more often than not, women are a distraction he doesn’t need. He’s a busy man, and doesn’t have time to date, let alone fall in love. Will someone ever change that? There’s always a chance, someday.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and love may find them both on the other side of someday.

An exclusive excerpt from The Other Side of Someday

I park and, after getting out of my car, smooth my dress before walking to the office. A bell I don’t remember from my last visit chimes to announce me.

“Be right out.” A voice calls out from the back.

My eyes move over the sales posters on the wall. Shocks, brakes, and one type of oil or another. It’s somewhat daunting how little I know about how my car runs.

“How can I help you?”

I turn at the sound of the voice and I am greeted with startling blue eyes. I blink suddenly, certain mine are deceiving me. In addition, I seem to have lost the ability to talk. I stare and gulp as my eyes process the man in front of me. He’s tall, not as tall as Grant Offenheim my mind argues, which is odd.

My open perusal of him seems to amuse him. He gives me a crooked smile while my eyes take him in; no dimples, my brain screams. I direct my gaze to his biceps clearly straining his white t-shirt. My brain offers no argument to them.

Once I find my voice I speak, “I was…” My tongue feels heavy and fatter than normal. “Looking for an older man who works here.”

His eyes narrow. “My dad isn’t here. Is there something I can help you with?”

I wonder at his chilly response. “I had a flat tire last week and my card was declined when I went to pay. Your dad told me not to worry about it, but I wanted to come pay for it.”

“Shit,” he mutters under his breath.

“Excuse me?” I stammer.

He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just-” he stops to drag his hand through his wavy hair. “My dad has a heart of gold, you know?”

I slowly nod and he goes on. “You’re here to pay, which is great. I don’t want to dump all over you for doing the right thing. It’s that my dad has to stop letting people not pay or he’s going to lose the shop.”

“That’s awful. I’m so sorry. Here.” I take out my wallet. “Please let me pay you.”

He gives me a half smile. “Do you remember what the total was?”

I groan, to which he raises his eyebrows. “It was embarrassing when my card was declined,” I explain. “Trust me; I remember what the total was.”

As he rings me up for the figure I give him, I feel the need to tell him why my card was declined. “Someone tried to pull money out of my account from overseas. My bank wouldn’t authorize any new transactions until they could confirm whether or not I knew about it. I didn’t know about it but that’s all straightened out now.” I gulp. “I don’t want you to think I couldn’t afford the work.”

His eyes widen, but I can tell he gets it. He quietly hands me my receipt. “Is your dad taking the day off? I’d like to thank him, personally, at some point for what he did,” I babble on. “You have no idea what an awful day that was. Your father not charging me was the one nice thing that happened.” His expression hardens, so I start backpedaling. “I’m being silly, I know. Maybe, if you tell him thank you for me. I don’t want to waste your time.”

I turn to go, but he reaches over the counter to grab my wrist. I shake my head and stare at his hand, not fully understanding why he stopped me.

He releases me, putting his hands up. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you something before you left.” He pauses, his eyes lifting from my arm to my face. “I’m Clay, by the way.”

“I’m Courtney,” I stammer, weirded out by the random introduction.

“I don’t usually work here. I’m only helping out because my dad fell and broke his hip.”

“Oh, my God! That’s awful,” I blurt.

Clay walks around the counter and sits in one of the plastic waiting room chairs. “He’s so stubborn. He needs to sell this place and retire, but he won’t.”

My mouth drops.

“You don’t need me dumping all of this on you. Absolutely, I’ll tell my dad you stopped by to thank him. It will mean a lot to him.”

“But what about the garage?” I blurt.

He squints at me. “What do you mean?”

“I can work here.” I think I’ve lost my mind.

He cocks his head at me, an amused grin spreading over his face. “Do you even know anything about cars?”

I scratch the back of my neck before shrugging. “Not really.”

He stands, moving closer to me. “You’re adorable.”

“Pardon?” I take a step back.

“You seriously want to become a mechanic?” He’s teasing me.

“No,” I admit. “I don’t even know where that idea came from.”

“Too bad. I wouldn’t mind working here from time to time if he hired someone as cute as you.”