“I wondered about you two, and how far,” Addie stuttered with embarrassment. “Never mind. Leave it at I wondered.”
“Yup, he was my first, and now it’s awkward. Sometimes I swear he purposely chooses words for their double meaning. I don’t know how to deal with that. I tried ignoring his comments, but that didn’t work. If anything, then he tries harder to embarrass me. Come to think of it, he did that when I told him to stop too.”
“Do you think he’s acting that way because he’s interested in you?”
“More like he’s bored or nervous.” Carly sipped her wine. “That’s enough talk about Owen. I came here tonight to forget about him and work.”
Of course, if she ruled out those two topics, what would she talk about since she’d only skimmed the first fifty pages of the book?
*
Once Reese, Lainey,and Samantha arrived and they’d settled on the overstuffed family room sectional munching on homemade salsa, guacamole and tortilla chips, Carly explained how she and Addie had agreed to start with a small book club and focus on quality rather than quantity. “That means it’s just us five.”
“So, book club’s just an excuse to get together, gab, and drink wine?” Reese asked.
Carly and Addie nodded. “Pretty much.”
“Good, because I only read half the book. It’s terrific so far, but it’s been a crazy week.”
“You got more read than I did,” Samantha admitted.
Despite their lack of progress on the novel, they all enjoyed what they’d read, and agreed the cozy mystery was a hit. From there they made predictions as to the killer. Then discussion turned to everyone’s work week.
Samantha, who’d purchased Service’s retiring veterinarian’s practice and property, said she’d blocked out time to chaperone her daughter Maddy’s fourth grade field trip. “You’ve got your priorities in the right order. I wish my mom had taken more time off from work to volunteer at my school. She always spoke at career day, but that was about it,” Carly said.
They spent the next few minutes discussing juggling work and a personal life, all agreeing the information they’d been fed growing up that women could “have it all” sounded great but proved difficult to pull off. Something always got shortchanged.
“How’s your week been, Carly?”
“The normal stuff. Apply for grants, meeting with the board, and begging donors for money.”And oh yeah, Owen kissed me, leaving me so excited I thought my panties would melt.
Carly nibbled on her lip, torn between not wanting to discuss Owen and hoping her friends would have suggestions on how to deal with him. Deciding she needed all the help she could get, but she’d omit the kiss, she said, “Since you asked, I need your advice. Owen keeps popping up at my office like a mole in that whacking game.”
“I’m guessing from your tone that’s not a good thing?” Lainey asked.
“He’s throwing off my routine and getting in the way of my job.”
“Tell him to knock it off.” When Carly rolled her eyes, Reese said, “You tried that?”
“More than once.” She ran through the week’s events. On Tuesday when he showed up asking to join another therapy session, she explained how the volunteer coordinator checked the schedule and determined volunteers based on the number of clients, preventing last-minute additions. Wednesday, he dropped by asking for more memory exercises because he’d done what she assigned so often they were boring. “I told him I have other responsibilities, ones that don’t revolve around him. He said he understood, but then today he showed up again. Nothing I say makes any difference.”
“Have you considered he’s stopping by to see you?” Lainey asked.
“Have you asked him if he’s interested?” Reese asked.
Carly swallowed, then groaned, feeling as if she’d time traveled back to high school. “What’re you going to do next? Ask me if I want one of you to slip Owen a note that asks if he like likes me?”
“That could work,” Lainey teased.
“No, I haven’t asked him if he’s interested, and I don’t intend to. What I need is suggestions on how to get him to listen. I need to get the situation back under control.”
“Are you saying you had it under control at one time?” Reese asked, trying not to laugh.
“Smart-ass. Some best friend you are,” Carly snapped.
“I’d take that as a no she’s never had it under control,” Samantha added.
“No, need to pile on,” Carly said.
