Her Imaginary Husband (Contemporary Romance) by Lia London

other end.”
    “That’s stupid!” she groused. As she wheezed her way down the candy and chips displays, she realized this was corporate trying to lure customers into impulse buys. Fat chance. My taste buds died two hours ago. She snatched up two boxes of lotion-enhanced tissues and a bottle of Nyquil.
    “Well, look who it is!”
    Nikki turned to see Flip-Flop Man hugging a Family Size pack of cheese puffs. They match his sandals. How…disturbing. She cracked open one of the packs of tissue even as she stared at him. “Hey there. Long time no see.”
    He looked at her quizzically. “Are you allowed to do that?”
    “I pity the fool who tries to stop me.” She set all her items on the floor and blew her nose heartily.
    Flip-Flop Man backed up a step and hugged his cheese puffs a little tighter.
    Grinning inwardly, Nikki decided to take brother’s advice and be confident and friendly. “So how about that game last night? Did you catch it? You like ball, don’t you?”
    He coughed uncomfortably. “Uh, yeah. You, too?”
    “Big fan!” She blew her nose again in a fresh tissue and then looked around for some place to stuff her wadded up waste. Cramming it all into her left hand, she held out her right hand as if to shake. “Good seeing you again!”
    “Right,” he croaked, not shaking her hand. He gave a half-hearted wave and waddled off in the opposite direction.
    Nikki laughed, coughed, laughed some more, and gathered up her items. At checkout, she plopped everything on the belt and reached over to drop the used tissue in Brian’s waste basket.
    He glared at her, but said nothing. Scanning her items, he said, “You know we hate it when people open packages before they pay. It messes up the bar code.”
    “Would you prefer it if I left snot all over the magazine rack?”
    “You’ve changed, Nikki.” He bagged her last item. “What’s gotten into you?”
    “I’m the customer now, Brian.” She winked and swiped her card. “I’m always right.”
    He paused before handing her the receipt. “Touché. So what are you doing nowadays?”
    Picking up her bag with a flourish, she said, “Today, I am off to watch Gilligan’s Island until the Nyquil kicks in. I imagine that will be about forty-seven minutes from now. Have a nice day!”

15~Class Conflict
     
    “Hey, cowboy,” drawled Josh. “Could you mosey a little faster and pass those papers back?” Nikki tossed him a quizzical look, but he just grinned and held out his hand to Adam, who stuffed the papers onto Josh’s desk, wrinkling most of them. “Take it easy, Tex.”
    “Shut-up, Ball Boy!” said Adam.
    “What’s the trouble?” asked Nikki.
    “Cowboy’s just a little slo-o-ow,” said Josh.
    Adam turned in his seat and thrust an angry finger in Josh’s face. “Shut up!”
    “Boys, boys!” called Nikki. “Do I need to separate you?”
    “Please!” laughed Josh. “I can’t stand the stink of cow manure.”
    Josh’s teammates laughed it up, and Adam moved to strike.
    “Adam! That won’t be necessary.” Adam reined in his anger, and Nikki hooked a thumb in the direction of the door. “Josh, you’re outta here.”
    “What?” he asked, as if genuinely confused.
    “Outside. We need to talk.”
    Adam looked at Nikki, pleased surprise in his eyes, and sat back down.
    Nikki followed Josh out into the hall and called after him.
    “What?” he snapped, turning around and glaring at her with fire in his eyes.
    “Josh—”
    “If I get detention for this, I can’t play. You’re going to have to answer to Coach.”
    “Seems like that’s always the threat.” She looked at him while he simmered. Her face softened. “Josh, you’re a smart kid. I can see that already. You’re starting varsity as a junior, so you must be talented, too. But I don’t care how smart or talented you are if you can’t be nice.”
    He snorted and started to turn away. “Right.”
    “Josh,” she said softly. “You’re young—”
    “Don’t