Rory:I think ur white skirt is better than ur black. U always wear black. U don’t want Brent to think u’re goth.
Hailey shook her head.
Hailey:If he thinks I’m goth just bc I wear black, he’s an idiot. See u soon. :)
She slipped her phone into her pocket and went to get ready for her night out.
***
With its windowboxes of trailing sweet potato vines, orange and yellow marigolds, and red miniature roses, Chianti’s had a homey feel to it. Spread around the front patio were wrought iron tables and chairs under earth-toned umbrellas. Inside, the eatery’s walls were covered by watercolors of Italy. The bar had fancy bottles housing liqueurs and brandies from around the world.
There was always a crowd at Chianti’s, as the family-owned restaurant boasted some of the best Italian food in the county. Hailey, Brent, Rory, and Troy sat at one of the outside tables.
“Isn’t it nice out here?” Rory asked.
“I think it’s too hot. We should sit inside,” Troy replied.
“I’m okay. It’s cold most of the year, so when I can sit out and eat, I enjoy it.” Rory tossed her hair over her shoulder.
“I think it’s perfect,” Hailey said as she reached for the glass of water the busser placed in front of her.
“Works for me.” Brent smiled broadly at Hailey.
“I guess the majority wins on this one.” Hailey chuckled when Troy stared sourly at her.
After they placed their orders, they chatted about the restaurant and the upcoming summer; there was an excitement in the town since the winter had been so bitterly cold.
“It’ll probably rain and ruin most of the summer,” Troy said as he placed a generous portion of the antipasto on his plate.
Rory’s face fell. “Oh don’t say that. It has to be a perfect summer. I was so cold all winter that the only thing that kept me going was knowing summer was coming.”
“Just saying. You know how it goes around here. Remember a few summers ago when it rained and hailed most of the time?”
Changing the subject, Hailey interjected, “Rory and I are planning to have a pool party.”
“You have a pool?” Brent asked.
“My aunt does. I’m staying at her house while she rehabs.”
“If it’s lightning, we may all fry in your pool,” Troy said.
“Troy!” Rory poked his arm.
“If we go swimming while it’s lightning, then we deserve to be torched,” Hailey said. Brent guffawed and Troy glared at her.
Halfway through her pasta carbonara, Hailey excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. The truth was she had to take a break from the doomsayer. Troy was driving her crazy. She fluffed her hair and reapplied her apricot lipstick. Rory always saw the world through rose-colored glasses, so how she put up with Mr. Downer was beyond Hailey’s comprehension. She knew her snippy remarks to Troy’s doom and gloom were starting to irritate him big-time. Rory had thrown her “the look” several times, and she was trying to be good, but Troy was grating on her nerves big time.
The way Brent was playing the peacemaker was also picking at her. She had to admit that, other than his conciliatory gestures, he was an okay date. He was considerate, attentive, and agreeable—in other words, vapid as hell. He didn’t excite her one iota.
Cringing when she anticipated Rory’s chagrin over her assessment of Brent, Hailey pulled down her black skirt and headed to the door.Brent seems like Rory’s type. I’m surprised they’re not going out.
She stepped into the hallway and slammed right into someone. “I’m so sorry,” she gushed as she stepped back.
“That’s okay. How are you?”
That voice. I know it.She looked up into the eyes of the tattoo artist. Her stomach turned over, her pulse raced, and the hallway became a lot smaller. “It’s you.”
His smile revealed white, straight teeth, making him more handsome. “Yeah. It’s me.”
