Page 108 of First-Time Caller
LUCIE STONE:I talked to Skee-Ball guy again. He called the other night.
AIDEN VALENTINE:[coughing] Did, um, did he?
LUCIE STONE:He did.
AIDEN VALENTINE:I guess he had a good time, then.
LUCIE STONE:It certainly seems that way.
[pause]
LUCIE STONE:Are you all right?
AIDEN VALENTINE:I’m fine.
LUCIE STONE:Are you sure? You’re—
AIDEN VALENTINE:Everything is fine. I’m just—I spilled my coffee. It’s fine.
[muffled rattling noise]
AIDEN VALENTINE:Don’t look so pleased.
LUCIE STONE:I’m not pleased. I’m amused.
AIDEN VALENTINE:I didn’t see my mug there.
LUCIE STONE:It hasn’t moved in close to an hour.
AIDEN VALENTINE:Well, I didn’t see it. I’m . . . I didn’t see it.
My phone buzzes with a text while I’m leaning over the hood of a vintage Chevy. I slip it out of my pocket with grease-stained fingers, a smudge of black across the top of my screen.
AIDEN:I’m sorry, did you say pineapple is your favorite pizza topping?
I snicker. I’ve been texting with Aiden in between car adjustments and trips to the coffee machine. The conversation has been steered carefully away from any mention of what happened Wednesday night at the station, but it doesn’t stop the cascade of hazy, hot memories every time I see his name pop up on my phone.
Believe it, buddy, I type back.You’re just looking for a reason to argue with me.
His reply comes through immediately.
AIDEN:Yeah, you’re right.
AIDEN:I like it when you get huffy.
I sigh and slip my phone back into my pocket. We went from an impulsive kiss to an explosive moment in the broom closet to flirting over texts. Now that I’m not holding on to any expectations, I’m having fun.
I close the hood of the truck and wipe my hands on the towel tucked through my belt loop. Maybe that was the problem. I had too many plans. Too many expectations. I told Aiden I want magic, but I’ve been putting qualifications around the idea of it.
Maybe I just needed some fun instead.
“Lu?” Harvey pokes his head into the garage from the reception area. “You got a minute? Chevy Guy is in the waiting room. Says he wants a status update before he leaves.”
“He’s still here?” I started working on the Chevy about two hours ago. He was the first customer at the service bay this morning, waiting patiently up against the cab of his truck.
Still no underglow, he had assured me.Just to be clear.
Harvey nods. “Keeps saying he wants to know if Rosie will make it.”
