detectivegallegos-blog

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“That makes two of us.”, she said while taking a sip of her drink, eyes focusing on the table between them as her mind drifted off to when she’d gotten stuck in the diner with Gerald. That was the most exciting thing that had happened to her lately and well.. it hadn’t been that exciting if she was honest. Eyes moved to her hand that was still wrapped, the big wound still not fully healed. “But I don’t have any suggestions, unfortunately.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

[detectivegallegos-blog]

She listened to his story, a small smile on her lips. He spoke with such excitement in his voice, it was really indulging. “Well, Maxwell is a great name.”, she concluded. “Yeah, I’m around a lot, most people know who I am, some love me, other hate me.”, she shrugged. “Nice to meet you too, Max.”, she chuckled, nodded. “Okay, okay, I’ll save them for myself then.”, she stepped away from the counter. “Have a good day, be careful out there.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“Well, it consists of keeping a low profile, dark clothes, sunglasses and shortcuts.”, she was smiling though she sensed Emma was genuinely interested n the answer. Natalia sat down in front of her then shook her head. “You really don’t. But tell me, how’s life? How’s college going?”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“Wow, your parents made a bold move there.”, she laughed, putting the change back into her pocket. “I’m Nat. Natalia. People usually call me Detective or Detective Gallegos.”, that was a lot of nicknames, she realized. “But Nat is good. Nice to meet you, Max.”, she grabbed her candy. “Do you want some?”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“I have ways of keeping things from her.”, she didn’t try to fight Emma once again, she just let the girl pay for the drink. “Your mother may have eyes and ears around town but remember I’m part of the eyes and ears.”, she gave Em a look then thanked the barista for the drink. “Let’s go sit down.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

Natalia followed him at a slow pace, sipping her coffee occasionally, her face going through at least three different expressions as he spoke. “You know what? I think it’s so funny how men think that a six pack makes them automatically attractive.”, she confessed, leaning against his car, snorting. “Oh, I’m not pretending, Novak, but I guess it works both ways.”, she stared at him, arching a brow while taking another sip of the drink, this time a bigger one. What is this conversation, she wondered.

[detectivegallegos-blog]

He was adorable. And honest. Two very rare qualities, or at least, for her they were but worked really well together. “Thank you, you have a nice face too.”, she smiled while pulling out some money from her back pocket. She should really try a purse like most women. “I don’t know many but in case the topic comes up, I’ll make sure to send them here, especially tourists. In the meantime, you’ll see me often if the candy is as good as you say.”, she handed him ten dollars. “What’s your name, by the way?”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“Hum.”, Natalia took a sip of her coffee, looking at Lucien with her eyes narrowed. “So what are you gonna do now? Walk around like this all day next to me? I’m not opposed to it but I feel like you’d freeze your ass off and we want people to take us seriously, you need at least...”, she scanned his torso. “Two more sets of abs for that, a six pack is not enough.”

“The children in this town are the fucking worst. Why are they carrying around water guns? Where the hell are their parents?” He started taking off the shirt he was wearing that was stuck to his body just from the water. All Lucien had been doing was trying to go visit his sister and apparently kids thought it would be fun to spray water at a detective. “I’m never checking up on my sister again if those kids are out there. I’m scared of kids now. As if I wasn’t already.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

Natalia chuckled at his remark, shaking her head. “Please, I’ll make the arrangements, you can start tomorrow.”, she put the things on the counter after pushing Mr. Deadpool slightly to the side. Leaning against the counter, she waited for him. “Going to college doesn’t make you automatically smart, not going to college doesn’t mean you’re dumb. In my opinion, at least.”, she followed him with her eyes. “And thanks, for all the compliments.”, it felt odd, that he was this nice, was he always like this? “You run a nice little place here.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“Oh, no, no way, Emma.”, she shook her head at the card. “You can keep me company instead, how about that?”, she offered a smile while ordering the drink. “I didn’t see you at the party. You should’ve attended, it was fun, I know you like parties.”, she asked even though she partially knew the answer already.

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“Wonder Woman, for sure.”, she picked one up from the shelf, not even thinking twice “Are they? Will they make me taller too? Because I need that.”, she shook her head, rolling her eyes. “But you are doing me a favor by selling me all these delicious things I can snack on throughout the day. Not doing a favor to my diet but as my mama likes to say, hips are supposed to be big and round to knock men down when they act like idiots.”, she laughed. “I swear my mom is nice. And I’m not usually this anti-men, I work with a bunch. None like you, unfortunately, we could use some enthusiasm at the office.”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

Natalia didn’t even speak, she just listened, stared, her eyes flashing between him and all the candy. Heavenly candy. He looked ten times more attractive now that he was talking about chocolate. Was that his move? It was working. Damn it. “P-”, she opened her eyes even wider. “Pez dispensers?! Oh. My god.”, so many options, so many calories, so little time. “Okay so I definitely want some Pez, there’s no way I won’t be getting those. Also the chocolate. Knowing myself, I’ll probably be back later to pick up whatever I didn’t buy, if I’m killed while on duty, it’s because I was thinking about your amazing candy.”, she snorted.

[detectivegallegos-blog]

“What should I get? Cappucino or regular coffee?”, she wondered, looking up at the menu at Thanks a Latte. “I usually get just coffee but I don’t know, should I try new things? Or should I stick to the usual?”, she shot a glance at Emma before crossing her arms and looking back up at the list. “Emma, help me, por favor, I can’t decide.”

“Christ.” Emma murmured to herself, staring at her phone. That many missed calls from her mother was never a good sign, it was normally followed with a lecture. She knew that she hadn’t been home often but there was a decent reason for that which couldn’t be ignored. She didn’t want to. She hadn’t gone to the party at The Wild Side, it was too risky, too many people that could report back to her mother. At least that was a positive, it wouldn’t be about that. However, when she noticed a person looking at her, Emma turned on the megawatt smile. “Good afternoon, can I help you?”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

That was a different approach. She smiled throughout his speech, again, nodding here and there. “Good, that’s good because I only say no one time anyway. In any situation.”, she equalled his tone, looking at the doll up and down once again. “Really? Candy?”, now he really had her attention, her attitude changed completely. “God knows I need some sweet in my life, what type of candy?”

[detectivegallegos-blog]

[detectivegallegos-blog]

The words caught Natalia’s attention. Her pace slowed down and she walked in almost slow motion, temples furrowing at the guy. She knew him, they’d never talked but she knew Max, from the comic book store. When he pulled out a Deadpool blow up doll, she couldn’t hold the laughter. 

“Fifty bucks?”, she walked closer, placing the sunglasses on top of her head, scanning the thing he was holding. “The best thing about this whole concept is that he doesn’t talk.”, she was still smiling from ear to ear. “I appreciate your excitement and dedication though, but I’ll pass.”

“People of Elkridge Hollow,” Max began, standing outside his shop speaking out to anyone who would listen. “I come to you not as a man just trying to make end’s meet. No, I come to you all as a friend. A friend who knows exactly what you need in your life. That missing piece of the puzzle you’ve been searching for your whole life, the piece you need to achieve that lifetime of happiness others could only dream of having, of tasting at least once in their life. Is it money? No. Is it an expensive sports car? No. Is it finally paying off your student loans and having good credit? Also no. But what I have for sale today is the answer to all your prayers! The answer to life itself!”

He reached behind his door and pulled out a Deadpool blow-up doll. “True love. With the man of your dreams. A man who would love you just for you. A man who would never leave you. A man who would be with you through the good times and the bad times. For just fifty bucks, you could have your happily ever after right here, right now. Do I have any takers?! This is a once in a life time opportunity!”