Strings (Ryan Gosling × Reader)

Chapter 18 - Break

I ignore the smell of oil as I type on my work phone, leaning on a wall of the car worshop, sometimes glancing at a mecanic examining the faulty left blinker of Ryan's car, which we brought here while I continue to do all the other things I have to do and Ryan already waits in the passenger seat of my car. 

When the mecanic walks over to me, he throws a hand towel over his shoulder and speaks.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, what is it?" I can barely focus on the conversation, but I assume he's gonna say exactly what I imagined he would.

"So, not a big problem, we just have to switch out the lamp and you're good to go."

"Great." I nod, finishing a message on my phone and sending it, glancing between the screen and the man's face "When will it be ready?"

"You can pick it up at 3pm, tomo--"

"Perfect, I'll pick it up at 3."

The man hesitated "I'll send you an email confirming the date, miss L/N."

"Yeah, sure." I nod along, letting out a breath, reading over the text I was sent. 

"So, when can we pick it up?" Ryan asks as I get in the driver seat of my car, throwing my things in the backseat.

"Today, this afternoon at 3pm." I settle in the seat "Just as I expected."

"Oh, great!" he exclaims.

"Yeah, I mean it's just a small lamp, they probably have dozens of them lying around, so of course it would be quick." I curl my fingers around the steering wheel's curved cylinder shape "Besides, we need that car available, so if it wasn't quick, I would make it quick."

"Yeah, I know how you are." He lets out a soft laugh before coming back to the main subject "So, you can pick me up later today to come get it?"

 My car was nothing like his. it was much more humble and.. well, it didn't get a monthly wash. I rinse it with water now and then when I get the chance, but nothing else. The interior is also pretty squeezed, and the seats are probably only this comfy because of how old they are. But of course, I swallow my embarrassment every time it comes to my job.

"Sure." I nod and turn the key, roaring the engine as it wakes up, ready to drive away.

When we come back at the scheduled time, I park the car close to the entrance and turn to Ryan.

"You stay here, I'll deal with everything."

"Yeah, I know." He chuckles, already reaching for his back pocket, bringing out his phone for entertainment.

I let out a scoff, smiling softly. I get out of the car and shut the door, walking up to the counter, having the employee smile at me.

"Oh, hello again, ma'am!" He seemed somewhat surprised to see me again. 

"Hello." I rest my hands on the cold counter, smiling politely "I came to pick up the car I left here this morning, it needed to switch out a lamp? It was scheduled for me to pick it up at 3pm"

"Oh, ma'am, I, uh..." the hesitation in his voice brings back my headache "Your car will only be ready tomorrow at 3pm, as scheduled."

What?

"What?" I contort my face in confusion.

"Yes, it's scheduled for tomorrow."

You gotta be kidding me.