Page 7 of The Overdue Kiss

Narrowing her gaze, she crosses her arms and waits for me to continue.

Before she can interrupt again, I fill her in on breaking down on the side of the road and how her brother had been my knight in shining armor.

“Typical Des. He has a soft spot for people in need.” She shakes her head as if compassion is a vice. “But yeah, I can get you squared away. Let me call my buddy Marco to tow your bus. Where are you heading?”

“Marco Santos from Precision Towing? That’s my primo—I mean, my cousin.”

“Really?” Her face lights up. “He’s the sweetest. He’s always sending business my way. Ah, heck. Now I feel bad that I gave you a hard time. Let’s start over. I’m Reese Brooks.” She extends her hand, her cuticles dark with some unknown substance.

“Maya Santos,” I say as I place my hand in hers and shake. “How soon can I get an appointment? I was hoping to have the bookmobile ready tomorrow for the first day of school, but I’m willing to settle for the first week.”

She heads over to the bar-height desk scattered with paperwork. Even though it’s a mess, she unearths a tablet and taps on the screen. “Yeah, I can squeeze you in ASAP. Tourist season is dwindling down. Start by filling this out.” She hands me the tablet and props her arm on the desk. “How long are you in town for?”

“Couple weeks? I won’t know till I see the library and talk with the assistant principal.”

Her face twists. “Oh, you have to meet with Adam Monroe? I’m sorry to hear you drove all the way for that.”

I chuckle but keep my attention on filling out the form.

“You know, Des works at the school too. He teaches high school math.”

I glance up to see her sweet smile. “Oh yeah? Then maybe I’ll see him again.”

“Maybe. He’s a workaholic.”

I hit the submit button and hand the tablet back to her. “Well, I’m a bookaholic, and since I’m a librarian, it’s kinda the same thing.”

“I’m not much of a physical book girl myself. I prefer audiobooks. There’s just no way I can sit long enough to read. I’m always in motion.” Reese’s fingers are a blur as she enters a few notes into the tablet. She gestures for my keys. “I won’t charge you until the work is done. But I’m going to warn you, I don’t have a lot of spare parts here. There’s a good chance I’ll have to order something. So you’re right... it definitely won’t be ready by tomorrow.”

“Maybe Friday?”

She tags the keys and puts them into a numbered tray.

“I’ll try... promise. Do you need anything in the meantime while you wait? Hotel? Rental car? In small towns like this, we always like to lend a helping hand—as you’ve already seen.”

“Personally, I’m good. Now professionally, I might need some help sorting through the library’s catalog. If you know any volunteers, send them my way.”

“Can I volunteer my brother?” she asks, tilting her head.

Crossing my arms, I hold her not-so-innocent stare. I have a big family with loads of matchmaking aunts and older cousins. Since my quinceañera, it’s been their lifelong mission to see me find someone. I know the telltale tingles of meddling when I feel it.

And boy, it’s tingling hard.

“Self-volunteering only. I don’t want to force anyone into a commitment they don’t want,” I respond, hoping she hears the underlying message.

Reese smirks. “Don’t you remember? Des loves helping people. It’s his kryptonite.”

“He’d have to reach out to me if he’s interested.”

“I’ll tell him. Do you need a lift somewhere? Are you staying at Storybook Inn?”

“No, I’m crashing with a friend. It’s a shame because I’ve heard such great things about the place. Rumors are that celebrities stay there sometimes—is that true?”

She mimes a zipper over her lips. “We protect our own here in Rocosa. You won’t get anything out of me.”

“It was worth a try.”

My phone vibrates in my purse, rattling all the random junk I toss in there. I place Des’s jacket on the desk and scramble to dig out my phone. Julia’s name flashes across my screen.

---