The thermometer read 92 degrees, and it was barely 10am.

"Another scorcher today, eh Dan?" Rooney called to his coworker.
Dan, who was never one for conversation, said nothing.

Rooney rose to his feet, grateful to be standing after spending the last three hours staring at the under-body of a Volkswagen.

"I'm gonna go get a Coke. You want one, Dan?"
When there was no response, Rooney shrugged. "Suit yourself."

He made his way to the Coke machine and inserted the coins. The sound of the bottle landing in the bottom shelf was music to his ears. When it was finally in his hand, he opened the Coke and then guzzled it down in one gulp.

"Hey Rooney."

He turned his head at the familiar voice.

"Hey Janine."
She gave him a smile that made his stomach muscles tighten. He couldn't help looking her up and down, wondering if the sudden dryness in his throat was from the heat or from the stunning sight before him.

"Sure is hot out." She said.

Was it just his imagination or was the statement incredibly seductive?

"Um, yeah. It is. I was just telling Dan that it should be a real scorcher today." Rooney said.

"I think you're right." She said with a smile. She removed the knit cardigan she was wearing to reveal a matching sleeveless sweater.

Rooney quickly pulled a rag out of his back pocket and wiped his forehead. At his puzzled look, she walked over and rubbed his forehead with her thumb.

"You have a smudge."

"Oh... Well, thanks. Hey, why don't you have a seat?"

He pointed to the wooden crate she had used as a chair before.

She sat down, the white mini skirt hugging her body.

"You, um, having trouble with the car again?" Rooney asked. He tried to keep his eyes off of her but it was impossible.

"You were right, Rooney. It started making that awful noise again when I drove home."

"Really?" Rooney asked. "Well, let's take a look."

He inspected her car as thoroughly as he could; oiling parts and tightening others. When he was finished, he slammed the hood shut, satisfied with the job he had done.

"If that doesn't take care of the problem, I don't know what will."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, Rooney." Janine said, digging in her purse for her wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Rooney shrugged. "Consider it a gift."
She looked at him in amazement. "You can't be serious! Rooney, there's at least $500 dollars worth of work here."
He shrugged, not caring what Dan would say. Dan could take it out of his paycheck. Janine was worth every penny. "I insist."
She shook her head, producing several bills from her wallet in denominations he couldn't quite make out.

"No, Rooney. Please take it."

"Consider it a wedding present, okay?"

At the word wedding, her smile suddenly disappeared and a look of pain filled her eyes.

Finally, her smile returned.

"Okay, but please let me make it up to you."

"Janine, you don't have to-."

"I insist. You have no idea how much this means to Corbet and I" she said, hugging him tightly.

When she got in the car and wordlessly drove away, he was left wondering why he ever let her go.