Page 37 of Next in Line
Miles gestures for us to follow him over to the counter. “We’ll get you checked in here first.”
As we approach the counter, someone’s head pops up from beneath the bar height countertop, and as soon as I realize it’s Sam, I bump into Kate.
“Ouch!” Kate exclaims, turning to rub the back of her ankle. “Walk much, Meg? Or just read about it?” She giggles and winks at me, clearly pleased with her little joke.
Miles looks over at me with concern. “Are you feeling okay, Meg? You look kind of flushed.”
He moves over to feel my forehead, and I shake him off as Sam’s eyes dance with mirth the entire time. He waggles his brows at me playfully before resting his elbows on the counter to enjoy the show.
“I’m fine, Miles. Can we just get my oil changed, please?”
“Sam?” Miles says.
Sam holds his hands back. “I’m afraid I can’t help you today.”
My expression falls. Is he about to out us?
Then Sam gestures over at a small girl standing beside him whose chin barely clears the counter. Sam does a quick maneuver, evidently moving his step stool over, and this little strawberry-blond girl climbs on the stool.
“Is this your kid?” I bark out without thinking, sounding even more psychotic than I intended.
Sam does that heart-melting shy smile thing again as he turns his face away from me. “No, this is my niece, Kinsley. Kinsley, these are some of my friends. You know Miles. This is his girlfriend, Kate, and his sister, Maggie.”
“What can I do for you?” Kinsley states, pushing her pink glasses up on her nose. “Are you in need of a rotation today?”
Her serious face has me smiling like a loon as my gaze moves from Sam to her and the adorable little connection they clearly have together as he leans on the counter next to her.
Kate elbows me, and I jump forward, realizing that everyone was waiting for me. “I need an oil change and probably a tire rotation. I’ve put a lot of miles on my car recently.”
“Can do,” Kinsley states, her voice deep as though she’s playing a character. “What’s the make, model, color, and year of your car?”
I giggle and tell her all those things. She takes ages to write it all down in her notebook, but Sam doesn’t rush her one bit. He just smiles affectionately down at her as she lowers her face to her notepad and sticks out her tongue in concentration.
When she’s finished, she looks at her little watch. “It’s going to be about an hour. Will you require a shuttle service today? Or would you like to enjoy our exceptional customer comfort center?”
My smile is permanent now. “Customer comfort center, please!”
Kinsley takes my keys and looks at her uncle briefly before holding her hand up to her mouth and whispering, “Might I suggest an excellent podcast.”
“Kins!” Sam barks, and her eyes go wide like she’s just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“Or just enjoying complimentary cookies and coffee is good too!” she rushes out and hops off the step stool. “I’ll just go take these keys to the guys in the back, and we’ll call you when your car is done.”
Kinsley scampers off, and I turn my eyes back to Sam who is smiling so big at his niece, his entire face lights up. When he looks back at me, I ask with a laugh, “What’s with the seriously adorable child labor?”
He shakes his head and pushes up off his elbows to his full height. “It’s bring your niece to work day.”
I frown. “That’s not a thing.”
“I made it a thing,” he says with a wink. “School is off today, and that one has been driving her mom nuts, so I’m just trying to help out.”
He smiles sweetly, and our eyes hold for a few seconds before Kate clears her throat behind us.
We both turn quickly to refocus on Miles as he says, “Well, let me show you ladies the comfort center so I can get back to work. My boss is a hard-ass.”
I hear Sam grumble under his breath as I follow Miles and Kate to the back. Before I round the corner, I can’t help but look over my shoulder, and my smile grows when I catch Sam checking me out. I know it shouldn’t make me feel so good because I have a plan, but damn, it kind of does.
Kate shows me the coffee machine, and we both get a cup of our preferred beverage before taking a seat at a high-top table. I look around at all the patrons with their Styrofoam cups, scrolling through their phones, or munching on a cookie. ThePrice is Rightis blaring on the TV, but it all seems very cozy as a whole. I can see why Kate likes to hang out in here.
