Page 12 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

I pulled through the drive thru at the place near the highway and ordered their largest sundae with all the toppings. If I was lucky, I’d get an extra cherry.

When the gal handed it to me and I saw three cherries on top, I knew it would be a good night.

I rushed back, so I could eat my ice cream before it melted.

Eli knocked as I was indulging in my oversized sundae.

“Hiya. It’s quiet here tonight. Just me and my ice cream.”

“Looks good.” His gaze never dropped to my ice cream. It almost sounded like flirting.

I stopped short of offering him a bite. That would be a little too much for Eli.

“I hope your night isn’t exciting. Quiet seems safer than exciting.”

“Definitely safer. And thanks.” He pinched his lips together, then nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“It’s a date.”

He hesitated before continuing out the door. “Lock up.”

“Yes, sir.”

He rolled his eyes, then nodded toward the handle.

“You aren’t leaving until I lock it, are you?”

“That’s right. As someone once said, ‘I have a town to protect’ and you are part of that town.”

Slowly, he was talking more. And I liked our conversations. A lot.

* * *

Friday night,I slipped out the front door to make a late-night barbeque run.

Eli pulled up in front as I locked the door. “Where are you headed so late?”

I pointed across the street. “I’m hungry. Is it time for your dinner break?”

He glanced at the restaurant. “I wasn’t planning to eat until later, but—”

The dispatcher squawked on the radio about something. I didn’t understand what the numbers meant, but Eli clearly did.

“Sounds like you have to go.”

“Yeah, but maybe another time.” Eli shifted into gear.

“I’d like that.”

He waved and then headed off to save the world.

Chapter 6

On Saturday, I stepped into the store just before closing. “Hi, Issa. How did things go today?”

She worked as a kindergarten teacher during the week and helped me out on Saturdays, which gave me a much-needed break.

“Great. We were busy on and off throughout the day. Oh, and a delivery came in. I set it in the hall.”

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