“What?” she asked.
In a surprising move, Kellen reached across the table and took her hand in his. “I’m looking forward to knowing you more, Reva Nygard.”
24
“Oh, my goodness! This guy sounds great.” Charlie Grace slid a platter of steak nachos across her counter.
“He is,” Reva confirmed, reaching for a napkin. “He definitely says what’s on his mind. There’s no guessing what he’s thinking.” She picked up the platter and set it on the kitchen table.
“How refreshing. A man who communicates.” Lila laughed and pulled a chip from the platter, watching the melted cheese string until it finally broke. “What’s his name again?”
Reva opened the jar of salsa. “Kellen Warner. He runs a mechanic shop in Jackson.”
Capri stood at the end of the table and gave the martini shaker a few strong jiggles before filling her stemmed glass. “Who all wants one?” Everyone nodded except Reva, who pointed to her diet soda.
“Now, what kind of drink is that again?” Lila asked.
“It’s a Mexican Martini. Made with your standard margarita ingredients but spiked with olive juice—à la dirty martini style—and capable of adding a whole lotta oléto this fiesta!”
Capri filled their martini glasses before turning back to Reva. “This Kellen guy doesn’t sound like someone you’re typically attracted to.”
Reva frowned. “What do you mean?”
Capri shrugged and took a sip of her drink, which immediately brought a slow groan. “Dang, that’s good. Anyway, it’s like this…I date flannels. You date suits.”
Reva leveled a look in her direction and reached for a chip. “I beg your pardon?”
Lila quickly nodded in agreement. “Oh, yes. I see what she means.”
“You hush and drink your martini. I don’t only date suits. And there are a lot of suits that I move on from as quickly as I can.” Reva thrust a red-painted fingernail in their direction to emphasize her point. “Do I need to remind you of how badly it went with Bert Reilly?”
Charlie Grace reached for a nacho. “Who?”
“The guy from the dating site you guys set up,” Reva reminded. “Without my permission, I might add.”
“That doesn’t count,” Capri told her.
Reva’s eyes widened. “Really? Why not? He was an insurance actuary—definitely a suit.”
“He’s an outlier. There are always some in both categories that you need to leave on read,” Capri explained.
Charlie Grace’s face filled with exasperation. “Plain language, please.”
Lila straightened. “Oh, I know this one. Camille says that means when you read a text but don’t respond.”
Reva held up both open palms in protest. “I can’t believe you guys think I’d only be interested in a professional man.” Her mind drifted to Merritt and how badly that relationship had ended, despite her lingering feelings. “I’m open to any guy who has the qualities I admire.”
“Which is?” Capri prompted.
Reva took a moment before responding. “Well, I want someone honest, someone who is committed to the relationship, even when things get hard—and there are always difficulties that arise.”
Capri laughed. “Call Albie Barton and tell him we have tomorrow’s newspaper headline. Reva Nygard is not interested in arm candy. She’s looking for a serious relationship.”
Reva nudged her friend with her elbow. “You can have the arm candy.”
“I’m down for that,” Capri replied. She scanned their shocked faces. “What? There’s nothing wrong with only wanting to have some fun.”
Charlie Grace took the opportunity to speak up. “Well, I suppose arm candy has a place for some people.” She grinned in Capri’s direction. “But when the right guy appears on the scene—you can’t waver. Love doesn’t show up all willy-nilly. If this Kellen guy is someone you are interested in, I say go for it.”
