Page 97 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
"True."I shift on my feet."I love the Moana soundtrack."
He smiles."Jamie picks the music.Says shelter animals liked Disney songs, so cars must too."
"Dad!I found it!"Jamie races back, carrying a detailed model car.LoverBoy's ears perk up as the boy approaches, but he stays firmly by my side until Jamie kneels to show him the toy, making gentle "vroom" sounds that have LoverBoy's head tilting curiously.
"LoverBoy was our special project," Mike explains."Three foster homes, three escapes.No matter how secure the enclosure, he always found a way out.Until—"
"Until me?"I finish, surprised.
"Until Adam brought you in," Mike corrects."It clicked.He found what he was looking for."Not sure if we're speaking about the dog anymore.
"I guess sometimes it takes a while to find where you belong."
"And sometimes," Mike adds, "where you belong finds you when you're not even looking for it.And sometimes it’s a person.And not a place.”He gestures for me to follow him."You've been doing great work at the clinic.My mom was there the other day and she mentioned how helpful you were."
"Thanks."My gaze travels around his office.He's got posters of old cars.And a few diplomas.Including a J.D.?Lawyer, mechanic and horse wrangler?
"I ordered the part.And we'll figure something out for payment."
"I really want to pay you."The part of me that's been too dependent on my ex before kicks in.I'm still a work in progress.
"It'll be paid."
Okay.The man is cryptic.Jaime runs back toward us and Mike smiles at him in a way that transforms his whole face and I'm tempted to take a picture for Claire.
Or Julie.
Inspiration for her book.
"So," Mike says, leaning forward on his desk with that knowing look that small-town residents seem to perfect."Interesting timing with those pipes," he continues, his expression too casual to be genuine."They've got quite the reputation around town."
"For convenient malfunctions?"I ask dryly.
"Let's say those pipes have been playing matchmaker longer than Sally has.My parents met during a burst pipe incident in '85.Adam's folks rekindled their marriage there."He taps his pen against the invoice."Those pipes are batting a thousand when it comes to relationships."
"Sentient plumbing with romantic intentions?Really?"
"Hey, I'm just the mechanic," Mike shrugs, but his tone is gentle when he adds, "But for what it's worth, Adam hasn't looked this alive or happy in years.Maybe thank the pipes for that."
I roll my eyes with a half-grin on my face."I'll send them a card."
He nods.And when his phone rings, I excuse myself, making my way back, stopping in front of the pop-up bookstore with its sign: "Book Club Today: Come Discuss Dante's Secrets.18+"
Margaret sent me a text yesterday about it.Sally mentioned it at breakfast.And I’m here…
I stare through the window, hesitating.The store has cute Pine Creek ornaments that would go well with my crocheted emotional support pickles.LoverBoy sits expectantly at my feet.
"I don't think dogs are allowed in bookstores," I tell him.
He tilts his head skeptically as an elderly woman enters with a Pomeranian in her purse.She spots LoverBoy and smiles."They're very pet-friendly," she assures me."Sally insists.Says books and dogs both nourish the soul.You could join us."
I could.I will.
With a thoughtful glance at LoverBoy, I scoop him up and enter the bookstore.We’re greeted by laughter and the smell of coffee and apple pie.LoverBoy perks up, nose twitching.
“This is the size.”Sally holds up a gigantic zucchini, but it’s not what stops me.Because in the middle of the circle?TheLady Grey.The author ofDante’s Secretslaughing with tears running down her face.The woman whose steamy scenes Adam quoted while doing things that made me forget my medical history.
“Evie Love!”Margaret waves, her smile widening when she spots my companion.“And you brought LoverBoy!Look how social he’s become.I remember when he wouldn’t even come out from behind the shelter crates during my volunteer shifts.”
