Page 52 of Heartbeats & Highways

I shot her a bright smile. “Hi, thanks for your patience. What can I do for you?”

She smiled back. “Hi, my name’s Brittany. I have an appointment with Homer at 12:45.”

I looked at the computer and clicked the mouse. “Great, you’re all checked in. He’ll be out in just a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink? Water? A soda?”

“No thanks, I’m good.” She tossed glossy brown hair over her shoulder. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Is Homer seeing anyone?”

“Seeing anyone?” I repeated.

“Dating,” she clarified.

“Oh.” I frowned. “I—uh—don’t know, actually.”

“This is my second visit,” she whispered conspiratorially. “And I’m dying to ask him out. But he’s kind of aloof, so I don’t know if he’ll say yes.”

I’d worked at Three Kings for a week, and Homer had yet to warm to me. Whenever I had a question, I asked Virgil or Roman, steering clear of the grumpy Jackson brother entirely.

“Yeah, sorry.” I shot her a smile of commiseration. “I don’t have any insight for you.”

“I’m gonna go for it,” she announced. She took a seat on the leather couch and picked up a magazine.

My stomach rumbled and I was dying for a hardy meal. But the guys hadn’t come out and requested lunch orders yet. I grabbed the banana from my bag and wolfed it down.

Homer appeared from the back hallway. He glanced at me finishing off the last of my snack and frowned. I hastily tossed the peel into the trash. He turned his attention to his pretty client, who not so subtly straightened her spine which thrust her breasts forward.

“Brittany,” he greeted. “You ready?”

“Sure thing.” She stood and picked up her purse and sauntered toward him. His expression didn’t change as he guided her toward his tattoo chair.

The front door opened. I looked to the entrance, a smile of greeting waiting on my lips. Brielle strode through, a brunette ambling in behind her.

“Hey, girl,” Brielle greeted.

“Hi,” I said.

“I brought you and the boys lunch,” Brielle announced, setting the brown paper bags onto the counter.

“How did you know I was famished?” I asked with a laugh.

“Just luck,” Brielle said. “Evie, this is my best friend, Jazz. Jazz and I own part of Pie in the Sky, but also, we’ve been friends since high school.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, looking at Jazz.

“Nice to finally meet you, too, new girl. I wanted to meet you sooner, but Brielle said not to startle you with my exuberance. How are the guys treating you?” Jazz asked.

A long, fat braid slid off her shoulder as she leaned forward and began to unpack the brown bags.

“They’ve been great,” I said honestly.

“Even Homer?” Brielle inquired with a knowing smile.

“Even Homer.”

Jazz looked at Brielle and rolled her eyes. “She’s loyal.”

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