“That sounds about right,” Pia said after finishing a mouthful of eggs. “Although victim may be a little harsh.”
“It’s not,” Mason said. Apparently it was all he would add to the topic. Digging into his breakfast, the man of many words had spoken and now he would concentrate on his food. They often teased Mason he was so good at compartmentalizing everything, including conversations, his decision to become an Army Ranger made total sense.
I, on the other hand, was convinced I had undiagnosed ADHD. It was one of the reasons I liked working with my hands and keeping busy. The only exception was fishing, but even my father agreed I wasn’t the most patient fisherman on the planet, which was why I did it so often. Practice made perfect.
“Soooo,” Pia said, likely circling back. “Delaney. Lunch?”
“You really think that’s a good idea?” I asked. I’d admit the thought of seeing her today, having a conversation with her, was more than a little appealing. “All things considered?”
Mason watched us carefully, but said nothing.
“Things? Such as?” Pia asked.
“The fact that neither of us are looking for a relationship. At least, I imagine after going through the wringer, it’s not high on her list.”
Bingo. It didn’t matter what Pia said, her expression gave away the fact that I was right.
“I’ll admit she’s more into work, gym, and girls’ nights at the moment. She really has gone through the wringer so I think it would be good for her.”
“Care to define ‘it’?” Mason asked.
Pia frowned. “You know. Getting back in the saddle.”
I raised my brows, more to tease Pia than anything else.
“Which saddle would that be?” Mason, as always, was relentless.
“Oh my God, the two of you are going to get it.”
To let her off the hook, and because I was genuinely attracted to her friend, I agreed. “Give me a time and place.”
Pia’s eyes widened. “You’re going to meet her?”
“Yeah. But I think you should give her the heads up.”
“Sure,” Pia agreed. “We’d planned to meet at The Coffee Cabin at noon.”
Mason and I exchanged a glance. He didn’t need to say a word. And to be honest, I agreed with him. This might not be the best idea, getting involved with Pia’s friend. But she didn’t seem to mind, knowing my aversion to long-term commitments. What was there to lose? I also didn’t plan to stay a monk for the rest of my life either.
“Tell Delaney I’ll see her at noon.”
9
DELANEY
BTW, forgot to mention. Can’t make lunch. A friend of mine is taking my place.
It was two minutes to noon. Why did Pia wait until now to tell me she couldn’t meet? And who was her friend? It was beyond strange, but with a half a block to The Coffee Cabin, not much I could do about it now.
A friend of yours?
It couldn’t be Jules. She’d have just said that. Most of our friends were mutual ones, so who the heck was she talking about?
I opened the door, eager to get out of the cold.
Looking around, I didn’t see anyone who might be a friend of…
No flipping way.
