"Hey Boss!" Turning the buffing machine off, Joe pulled at Peter's arm. "There's an angry customer in the office." His grin broadened into a laugh as Peter stared at the lipstick on his cheek.
After washing his hands free of grime and grease so that Ted would have nothing to complain about, Peter slowly made his way to the office. Angry customers meant bookwork.
"Jennifer!"
Racing around the counter, Jennifer hurled herself into Peter's arms and kissed him.
Surprised by her actions, Peter stood still until she drew back.
"What's the matter?" Jennifer looked worried.
"You'll get grease on your dress." Peter searched for an excuse.
"Forget my dress, kiss me!"
Peter, surprised by the vehemence in her voice, needed no second invitation.
A soft cough, repeated, drew them apart. Joe's smiling face poked around the corner. "I've locked up, Peter. I didn't know if you'd remember."
"Come in and say hello to Jennifer." Peter's mind was not working well as he recovered from the kiss.
"I already have." Joe touched his lipstick-smeared cheek. "But I didn't get the thanks you were just given. Now that's what I call a well-satisfied customer." He laughed, enjoying their confusion as they held hands.
"How did the car perform?" Joe was the perfect Italian gentleman. He wasn't going to offend Jennifer by mentioning their weekend.
"My car is beautiful and I can't thank you enough."
"You don't need to. Anything wrong, just return it here and we'll fix it."
He stretched his arm across Peter's shoulder and took Jennifer's free hand before he turned to leave. "Anything wrong with this fellow and we'll fix him too. Just let me know if he doesn't look after you."
He lifted her hand and kissed it. "See you." He was gone.
"Joe is cute. Such a good-looking European gentleman -- and that touch of grey in his hair is so exciting. I could fall for him."
Peter kissed her so further talk was cut off. Breathless, she pulled free.
"You'll do nothing of the kind," Peter growled, but she only smiled.
"You haven't rung me all day and I was worried." Jennifer clung to Peter's shoulders. "Tell me you missed me."
Encouraged, Peter responded so forcefully she began to tremble.
"Steady on. I only asked you to show me if you had missed me, not to corrupt me. Come and get changed - perhaps a cold shower?"
She giggled as she danced her way up the stairs, dragging Peter behind her.
"Get changed while I wait here in the kitchen."
Mystified, Peter followed her directions and headed for the bathroom.
"Hey Jennifer, come and give me a hand." He called through the sound of running water. Pausing he waited until he heard her footsteps in the bedroom. "There's an interesting part here I can't reach."
Surprised by the lack of response, he listened intently until he felt the icy water thrown over the top of the shower screen splash down onto his shoulders.
The tinkle of gentle laughter answered his bellow. "Anything else you need?"
The moment he reappeared in the kitchen, fully dressed, Jennifer started her orders.
"Wait here. Don't move. Now it's my turn." Taking a small bag she had smuggled into the flat, she disappeared into the bathroom.
"I don't need help."
"Pity. Are you sure?" Peter shouted through the firmly closed bathroom door.
He studied her clothes and the delicate, lacy underwear lying on the bed and wished he could help dress her. Peter didn't know what Jennifer intended but she had certainly come prepared.
Dressed in a casual shirt and slacks and wearing his dress shoes, Peter made his way to the kitchen. From there he yelled, "Would you like your back scrubbed? My company motto is Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back."
"I can well imagine that would be your motto, but no thanks." Jennifer stood at the bedroom doorway, a towel draped carelessly around her.
Leaping to his feet and scattering chairs, Peter dived for her, but she just laughed, slamming the bedroom door in his face.
"You stay there and clean up the mess. A girl must get dressed in peace."
Dressed in a tan skirt that fitted her like a glove and a blouse that appeared to be a deep green silk, Jennifer paused in the doorway for Peter's admiration. She looked stunning.
Her hair was loose and flowing, just the way he liked it. Jennifer never wore much makeup other than lipstick since her clear skin and flawless complexion made it almost unnecessary. Before Peter could comment, she dragged him downstairs into the street.
"It's my turn to be bossy now. Tonight I'm saying thanks for your help choosing my wonderful car and for a glorious weekend. So tonight you're my date."
Squeezing his arm, she opened the passenger's door for him and waited while he belted up. She was completely at ease and in total command as she drove off without telling Peter anything about what she planned.
They ate, danced and strolled hand-in-hand, rediscovering the pleasure of each other's company as though they hadn't seen each other for months, although it had only been the previous weekend when they had been away together.
Back at the workshop, they sat staring at each other, both unwilling to say "Goodnight", until Peter leant across to kiss her hair.
"I'm sorry if I misled you," Peter commented laughingly, "but I'm not going to invite you in for coffee." He looked at his feet in mock maidenly modesty. "I don't do that sort of thing."
