Page 8 of The Overdue Kiss

“Oh.I have to take this. But seriously, thank you so much, Reese. You and your brother have been so helpful. Please tell him I said that.”

Reese nods, typing a few things into the tablet. “You’re good to go. I’ll handle the rest.”

I answer right before it goes to voicemail.

“Julia?”

“Maya! Holy guacamole, are you okay? I’m just now getting all your messages.”

I burst out laughing at her newest expression. Since she teaches elementary students, she uses the most off-the-wall phrases, the sillier the better, even when she’s not at school. It’s something she started during her student teaching after we graduated from Colorado University. After two years, I should be used to it, but some of them really catch me off guard.

“Stop laughing at me. This is serious. Where are you?”

“I just wasn’t prepared for a Julia-ism as soon as I picked up. Is that a new one?”

“Maya!”

“All right, all right. There’s no need to panic. I’m safe and at Mountain Auto Repair in town. You won’t believe the day I’ve had. I finally get the approval on my project and the stinking bus breaks down. I hope it doesn’t take long for them to fix it.”

“If anyone can do it, Lewis and Reese can. You’re in luck. I was at the grocery store grabbing some things for tonight, so I’m only three minutes away. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Thank you, Julia.”

“Pfft. For all the times you chauffeured me around in college, I’ll never be out of your debt.”

“A true friendship doesn’t hold debts.”

“I’ll remind you of that when we are at dinner next and you’re picking up the tab. I’m a poor third-grade teacher, as you know.”

With a laugh, I wave bye to Reese before walking out the door.

“I don’t make any more than you do.”

“Get ready to jump in. There are never any parking spots available on Main Street, so I’m just gonna put on my blinkers and stop in front of the shop. Be quick. The sheriff here takes his job way too seriously. Don’t even think of jaywalking.”

“I would never.” A blue sedan with flashing headlights pulls up. “Oh, I see you. Are you driving the same car from college?”

“I repeat, I’m a poor teacher. Now stop judging me and get in.”

Julia ends the call, gesturing from the window to hurry. But I find myself hesitating again. Chewing on my bottom lip, I scan the streets, wondering where Des has wandered off to. I guess it isn’t a big deal. I’ll see him tomorrow at school to give him a proper thank-you.

After one last glance, I jump into Julia’s car, and we take off down Main Street.

Chapter Three

It’s like Maya disappeared.

One minute I’m suckered into carrying crates of liquor for Tristen, one of Cliffhangers’s bartenders and a high school friend, then the next I’m barreling into Mountain Auto Repair to see she’s already gone.

Reese isn’t helping either. She’s under Barret Stone’s pickup truck, humming some pop song as she ratchets a bolt.

“Hey,” I say, squatting down to peer under the vehicle.

“You know, I never bother you while you’re at work,” she mumbles around a bolt she’s holding with her lips. “By the way, we’re closed. I should have locked that door.”

“Where did Maya go?”

“Who?”

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