Page 32 of Heartbeats & Highways

“I don’t want to get under his skin,” I protested. “I just want him not to hate me.”

“He won’t hate you,” Brielle promised.

“And if he gives you shit, you come to me. I’ll have a word with him.” Roman finished the rest of the donut.

I didn’t want Homer to give me attitude, and I didn’t want Roman to have to intercede on my behalf. I just wanted to do my job, make sure everyone was happy, and then go home at the end of my shift.

“Are you legally blind or something?” Brielle asked, her gaze turning to me.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Are you legally blind? Is that why you don’t drive?”

“Brielle,” Roman warned.

“What?” Brielle looked at her brother and frowned. “If she works here, she has to know how we are.”

“Howyouare,” Roman stated. “Which is nosey and annoying. You don’t have to answer Brielle’s question, Evie.”

An awkward pall fell over the room.

“I need to get going,” Savage said. He looked at me. “Walk me out?”

With a frown, I nodded and followed him. The door to Three Kings closed behind us and we stood on the pavement in front of the parlor.

“So, I’m leaving,” Savage said unnecessarily.

I nodded.

“And you can call me if you need anything. I know you won’t, but if you change your mind and want a ride home, just give me a buzz about half an hour before the end of your shift and I’ll come and get you.”

“Why is it so important to you that I not take the bus?” I asked.

“Because I like looking out for you.” He shrugged. “And it’s no trouble. Really.”

A car pulled into the parking lot, momentarily distracting me from our conversation—a conversation that seemed to be about something neither of us wanted to actually talk about.

The driver’s side door to a vintage restored car opened and a dark-haired man climbed out. He swaggered to Savage and slapped him on the back in greeting.

“I didn’t know you were here,” the dark-haired man said.

“I had a meeting with Homer about a new tattoo. I’m leaving now. Meet Evie, your new receptionist.”

The man turned his attention to me and smiled, a wide, easy-going grin that immediately put me at ease. I smiled back.

“I’m Virgil. Nice to meet you, Evie.”

“You too,” I stated.

Virgil let out a laugh. “Man, I haven’t seen someone with hair that long in years. And it’s red. It’s like having a back-up Brielle.”

Virgil and I laughed, but Savage’s expression remained passive, except for the clenching of his jaw.

“Brielle brought donuts,” I said. “If you hurry, you might be able to get one. Roman might’ve eaten yours by now, though.”

“Shit, I better get in there.” He saluted Savage and then looked at me. “See you in a bit.”

The front door to the tattoo parlor opened and then closed, leaving Savage and I alone.

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