With her composure slipping, Glory asked Kam, “Does the town have any kind of ride service?”
At first, he’d thought it possible that she was just teaching the dude a lesson. Maybe he’d let her down, or somehow insulted her and she’d hoped to use Kam to even the score.
Now, with the car tires flat and that look in her eyes, he knew it was more. “Normally in a pinch I’d call Tanner, but not on his wedding night. One tire I could have changed with a spare, but not two.”
Mike held out his arms. “I can give you both a ride.”
Glory’s expression twisted his heart and expanded his uneasiness. Protective instincts, learned in his youth and honed in his maturity, rose up, urging him to study Mike more closely.
Just then, Dan Fellows joined them. “I was about to leave but heard you talking. Problem?”
Kam glanced around. “Where are you parked?”
“In the side lot for employees. Everyone has gone and I’ve locked up, but if you need something—”
“A ride?” Kam gestured to the cars. “Glory and I both have flats.”
“Hmm. That’s curious.” Dan circled the cars.
They all ignored Mike—until he introduced himself. “I offered them a ride, so you can—”
“Dan Fellows.” Around the handshake, Dan asked, “Your tires flat, too?”
“No, sir. I’m just here to give Glory a ride.”
Glory sidled over next to Fellows. “I know it’s a huge imposition, but if you’re able to help us out, I’d be so grateful.”
Fellows smiled down at her. “I’d be glad to. Plenty of room in my car.” In a quick dismissal, he said to Mike, “Nice to meet you. Drive safely now.”
Dumbfounded, Mike watched as Glory rushed to the driver’s side of her car, opened the door and got out her purse before locking it again. Without glancing at Mike, she gave Kam an expectant look. “I’m ready.”
“I’ll call you,” Mike said.
“That’s okay.” Again, she turned to Kam.
“I’ll be right there, honey. Give me two minutes.”
Her gaze shifted from him to Mike and back again before she worked up a smile. “Of course...babe.” Her heels clicked on the blacktop pavement as she kept pace with Fellows.
“Take your time,” Fellows said before he started a low conversation with Glory.
Fighting a grin, Kam turned back to Mike. “So.” He walked to the back of Glory’s red Mustang. “Hell of a thing, right?”
Distracted, Mike stared after Glory.
Kam didn’t like the intensity in his gaze. “Don’t you think?”
“What?”
Yeah, old Mike was very lost in thought there, and Kam was willing to bet none of those thoughts were appropriate, given how Glory had turned him down. “Flat tires on the only two cars still in the lot.” He glanced around. “Where are you parked, by the way?”
“On the street.”
As if that made sense, Kam nodded. “How is it you’re here? Did Glory call you?”
Mike hesitated, then probably realized that Kam could find out the truth easily enough. With another happy-go-lucky grin, he said, “Nah, you see that she’s upset with me right now.”
“I noticed that, yeah.”
