Page 96 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
I try to suppress my amusement but it's a lost cause when she continues, "Like really big."
"Hmm-hmm."I switch back to my face."Don't worry, they're safely behind a fence."
I approach the garage as she updates me on the latest hospital gossip.
"So, I may have started snooping around."
"What do you mean?"I stand a little straighter, instantly alert.
"Okay, I didn't start.I continued...there's something fishy in the Kingdom of Chuck.He found a way to get the entire ethics committee against you.Well, almost all of it.And he's been pissed."She pauses."He continues posting pictures and reels and more videos, but he's been losing some followers.Can't be good."Another pause."Also...what is up with that music?That's cute."
Not the kind of music I'd expect in a garage.It's the soundtrack of Moana.The cheerful melody completely out of place among the tools and motor oil I can smell from here.
"Hi, I'm—"
A little boy rushes toward me, all energy and Christmas-themed light-up sneakers, but he stops short when he spots LoverBoy, his eyes widening with delight."LoverBoy!You came back!"
To my surprise, LoverBoy dashes forward, circling the boy's feet with unmistakable excitement.
"You know each other?"I ask, confused.
The little boy giggles, crouching to let LoverBoy lick his hands."I'm Jamie!Me and my dad volunteer at the rescue shelter on weekends.LoverBoy was our favorite, but he kept running away!"
"Is your dad around?"I glance toward the garage, falling into pediatric protocol.
"There," Jamie points."We live alone.My mom lives in California now with twin babies.We do video calls on Sundays."He says this matter-of-factly."Dad says we're still a family, just spread out more than most."
He takes a careful breath from his inhaler with practiced familiarity.
"Dad!Look who's here!"Jamie calls excitedly."It's LoverBoy!"
I turn to see a man emerging, wiping his hands on a rag."Remember what Dr.Adam said about getting too excited around dogs, buddy."
"Eve, right?"He flips his cap backwards, revealing dark hair and a jawline that could cut glass.
"Is there something in those zucchinis in Pine Creek?"Claire doesn't whisper.She never does, not even during nursing school finals.I'm asking myself the same question though.This man has shoulders that strain against his hoodie and dark eyes that see right through you.
"Mike is hot," Claire states matter-of-factly but with underlying humor."That is a fact.Not an opinion.I bet he rescues puppies too."
"You're not on Bluetooth."I try to keep my face neutral while simultaneously attempting to end the call with my thumb.
Mike bends down to help Jamie, who's showing LoverBoy a trick with a tiny car, the movement showcasing both impressive biceps and a surprising gentleness.And I swear Claire swoons on the other side of the phone.
"Dad, can I show LoverBoy the toy car you fixed?"Jamie asks, already pulling at Mike's hand.
"In a minute, buddy."Mike crouches down to his son's level."Why don't you go get it from the office while I talk to Miss Eve about her car?And don't forget your breathing exercises."
Jamie nods seriously before dashing off, turning once to call, "Don't go anywhere, LoverBoy!"Though his eyes track the boy's movements, LoverBoy stays by my side.
When Mike straightens up, Claire sighs."Okay, I'm going to take a nap.Alone.Have fun in Zucchini-land, Evie love."
My cheeks heat as I end the call."She's sleep-deprived."
"She's something," Mike murmurs, adjusting his cap again."And Zucchini-land?"His eyebrow rises as he crosses his arms.Where Adam is all lean strength and height, Mike is broad-shouldered bulk.Like the football players on the Eagles poster in town.
"Long story.So you volunteer at the animal shelter?"
Mike nods."After Jamie's mom moved to California, he was pretty lost.The shelter visits started as a way to give him a consistent activity."His voice softens."Turns out rescuing works both ways."
