“What?”
“Shut up, Harlan,” O’Fallon said. “You’re just jealous.”
Between losing a patient to a heart attack at a senior center on our last call and being bone tired, I felt like I just wanted to cry.
I waved at O’Fallon and headed out. I knew those guys got me the job.
Carolina was working in the diner.
“Oh boy,” she said, seeing my face when I came in. “Long shift?”
“Yes.”
“Strawberry waffle?”
I nodded.
“And pie?”
I nodded again and sat at the only seat available at the bar.
“You know Burris and Greg,” the man next to me said. “Right?”
I wasn’t sure what to say. At that moment, I didn’t think dating two guys who seemed to be absolutely everywhere was going to work out for me. I just nodded, realizing he looked familiar.
“Bryan Themes. I’m in town about buying furniture for my stores nationwide.”
Why was he speaking so loudly? Then it clicked in my tired brain. He was their friend working undercover.
“Hello. I know their company has a great reputation.”
“Almost as good as the pie at the diner here. I was lucky to get some, though, as Greg placed an order for most of the pies for the employees earlier today.”
I looked at the dessert case. It was nearly empty.
“It’s true,” Carolina said. “He placed a new standing order for Fridays for employees of the factory. I’m going to have to hire some student bakers from the community college to help with pies.”
“Are you two related?” Bryan asked.
“She’s my sister,” Carolina said.
“Ah, that might explain the big order,” he said.
I had that uncomfortable feeling again, that Greg and Burris were trying to buy my way into staying in town. Things were going too well around here.
I needed to tell them this wasn’t going to work out. This was just too much. All of it.
“I hope I see you again soon,” Bryan said as he went to leave.
“He paid for your lunch,” Carolina said. Then she studied me. “I don’t like that look on your face. The guys are trying to be nice.”
“I know, but they are coming on too strong.”
“You’re just tired. You haven’t dated nice guys before. Maybe take a nap first, then talk to them.”
I texted them that I wanted to see them, and thought I’d be going to the office. Instead, Burris invited me to come by the house.
***
