I’d never really seen someone’s mouth fully open in disbelief like Annie’s did in that moment.
“You did?” Annie asked.
“I figured you guys would be busy today, and you have to eat, right?” Delphine held up the bags before sitting them on the counter. “Chicken pesto from the new cafe. They’re fantastic.”
“That was nice of you,” I said. What was she up to?
Delphine placed her hand on my upper arm and leaned close enough for me to feel her warm breath on my neck. “Are we on for later?”
Later? We had nothing planned, but I understood what she was doing. I didn’t think she had it in her.
“Yes, we sure are. Looking forward to it,” I said.
Delphine turned to Camille, a polite smile on her face. “How are you, Camille? Business good?”
“Um, yes, fine,” Camille said, stepping sideways to create more distance between us. “And you?”
“Excellent, thank you.”
Poe strolled over to Camille, tail fluffy, and stared at her. Then, God help me, he leapt forward and attacked Camille’s expensive looking pumps as if they were a scratching post. Camille yelped and stepped backward.
“Bad kitty,” Camille hissed.
Poe hissed back.
Shocker.
Delphine knelt and patted the floor next to her. “Come over here, you naughty beast.”
Suddenly angelic, Poe lifted his head, gave Camille one additional loathing gaze and headed to Delphine. He then proceeded to roll onto his back with his legs in the air, looking positively adorable. Delphine cooed, scratching his tummy. “You have to be nice, Poe, or you won’t have any friends at all.”
Poe seemed unworried, licking Delphine’s hand. Somehow Poe became a dog around Delphine.
Camille tuned to me, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, which I hadn’t thought possible just seconds ago. But it changedagain, into something more akin to the antagonist who boiled the bunny in that frightening movie from the late eighties. “Why is your profile online if you’re … taken?”
I was stumped. I made eye contact with Annie, hoping she could get me out of this mess. She seemed to understand and moved closer. The bags emitted aromas of tangy pesto and grilled chicken, but any hunger I felt had departed.
Delphine rose to her feet, with Poe in her arms, both of them looking completely innocent.
“Oh, he was going to take that down but we’ve all been so busy,” Annie said. “You know how it is when things just click into place. Everything just goes so fast.”
“Exactly,” Delphine said, smiling as she smoothed the collar of my shirt with one hand while keeping Poe close to her chest with the other.
Camille looked at Annie, then Delphine, and finally me. “I see. Well, off I go. Mansions to sell, and no rest for the wicked.” She wriggled her fingers at all three of us. “Tootles. And don’t forget me if one of you decides to sell your home, given your new situation.”
“Will do,” Delphine said.
“Thanks for stopping in.” The back of my neck was hot, and I was starting to sweat.
But thankfully, Camille went on her way without any further discussion of my single status.
When she was gone, Annie smiled. “That was awkward.”
“Well, who does that? Just shows up at someone’s place of business?” Delphine said. “When their message had not been returned.” She glanced at me. “That’s correct? Right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said quickly. “And I’ll take down my profile.”
“Mom, I can’t believe you did that,” Annie said.
