Duke Out at the Diner

A Short Story

Some napkin dispensers hold napkins, others have gorgeous heros locked inside.
Shay just wanted to grab a bite to eat and pretend her life was safe. She never expected to be responsible for rescuing a handsome hero.
Eric has had enough of being in the wrong place at the wrong time; he’s locked in a napkin dispenser for goodness sakes. It might be worth it, though, he’s falling fast and hard for his feisty rescuer.
But a sinister force threatens them both; will true love save them in time?

Excerpt:
Before Shay could answer the man who had changed in a heartbeat from snarky to gentle, and that was after she slammed him in the balls, the door of the cafe bounced open. Shay looked up to see her best friend hustle in.
“You got him out, excellent.” Mandi rushed in, sounding delighted. She was clutching what looked like an old piece of paper in her hand.
“You.” The man still holding her glared in recognition at Mandi, the venom in which he said the lone word chilled the room.
“Now Eric,” Mandi crooned, “I already apologized for locking you in the dispenser in the first place. It was an accident. I thought you were a jerk. By the time I found out you had been helping, it was too late. But I found a loophole, and we have to hurry. Shay, kiss him.”
“What?” Shay squealed.
“Start kissing him. And you have to mean it. Right now, so we can all put this unfortunate mix-up behind us.” Mandi darted a look at her watch.
Eric looked beyond pissed. “Unfortunate mixup? You locked me in a goddamn napkin dispenser, like a ridiculous genie in a bottle, when I was helping you. How is that even possible? Wait a minute, what loophole?”
“Start kissing him?” Shay’s brain couldn’t follow past she was supposed to kiss a complete stranger. Repeatedly. Even if he did look good enough to eat, she did not do stuff like that.
Mandi thrust the relic of paper that was in her hand towards Eric and Shay. “According to legend, true love’s kiss can break the spell. Or in our case, twenty-five kisses coming from a place of love. Twenty-five is the power number of intention and everyone knows love, romantic or otherwise, is the most magical power there is.” Mandi pointed at the elaborately decorated text with her other hand in exclamation.
“Put the two together and ta-da, that wee mixup of a spell will be lifted.”
Eric snatched at the paper and began reading.
Mandi plopped down on the stool behind Shay. “Eric hates me, with good reason mind you, so it won’t work for me to try, but Shay, you’re  the most loving person I know. You love everything, unconditionally. And you’re here. See? Perfect. You’re perfect for him.”
“She just kicked me in the balls. I doubt that qualifies for love. It’ll never work.”