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“I was wondering how it went when you pushed that man to the curb. What did you say his name was?” She propped her elbows on the table and folded her hands, resting her chin.
“I didn’t,” I pointed out, a little off balance.
“Oh, what’s his name then? Perhaps I’ve run into him in my wanderings around town.”
Was I being overly suspicious, or did she seem pushier than she had the last time?
“Um, his name is Robert Jenkins,” I found myself telling.
“Robert Jenkins. Hmm, that does sound familiar. Jenkins, Decate and Wyatt law firm?”
I nodded. “That’s it. He’s one of the partners.”
She giggled. “What a small world. Jeremy Wyatt handled the closing of my new house.”
Something inside me twisted slightly. “Oh yeah, small world.”
Tiff looked at me expectantly. “So, how did he take it when you told him to get lost?”
“Uh, well, I never said I was going to say that exactly.” Why did she care so much? She didn’t know me. Was this really some overt girl-power thing?
She grimaced slightly as if picking up on my hesitance. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business. I just got such a good feeling when I met you. It’s hard moving to a new town, not knowing anyone. It was nice having an enjoyable conversation with someone genuine.”
I relaxed slightly, feeling foolish for internally overreacting. She really was just a nice woman. Maybe a little lonely and wanting friends. “It’s okay, Tiff. I liked talking to you too. Things went in the opposite direction after you and I spoke.”
Tiff leaned back in her seat, seeming eager to hear more. “Do tell.”
“I’m meeting him here in a few minutes.”
Tiff’s face became strangely blank. “I get the feeling you didn’t tell him to take a hike after all?”
“No, actually we’re together now. I was being a little harsh about the whole thing.” I shook my head. “I can be pretty unforgiving. It’s something I’m working on.”
Tiff’s eyes softened. “Oh Darling, we all have things to work on. If you’re happy, that’s wonderful. Just remember that if your gut was asking questions in the beginning, you shouldn’t ignore that. Men are often more than they seem,” she stated cryptically. She tapped my now half-empty beer mug. “Can I buy a new friend a drink? Maybe I can meet this man of yours?”
There it was again, that strange tingling of doubt. I didn’t know where it was coming from. Tiff was a perfectly nice woman. Pushy, but nice. But that didn’t mean I wanted a third wheel.
“That’s nice of you, Tiff, and maybe another time. But this evening is more of a date thing.” I tried hard not to be rude, which was difficult for me. I wasn’t one to mince words, especially when I was feeling like something was off.
Tiff got to her feet. “No problem. I’m sorry, look at me trying to push my way into your date. I should be ashamed of myself.” She let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“No problem. Like I said, another time. I’m usually in here a couple of times a week. It is the only place in Southport to hang out,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
“Then I know where to find you,” Tiff joined in with a snicker and she turned to leave.
“Hey, did you ever reconnect with that guy you knew in town?” I asked her, feeling like a jerk for not enquiring sooner.
Her face did that blank thing again that was slightly unsettling. “I did find him. I just think it might take longer than I thought for us to find our way to each other.” Her full, red lips spread into a wide smile. “But when it’s meant to be, it’ll be.” She lifted her shoulders into an exaggerated shrug.
“Very true. Well, good luck.”
“Enjoy your date,” she said in return.
I watched Tiff walk to the back, obviously heading to the restroom. I also noticed how Brad couldn’t help but check her out. Tiff may be older, but she was one good-looking woman. Just as she disappeared into the bathroom, Robert came into the bar. He stopped, looked around and when his eyes found me, his entire face lit up.
It made every inch of my body warm to see him looking at me like that. It made me feel like the prettiest girl in the room.
He spoke to Brad briefly before heading my way.
“Hey,” he said with a smile, leaning down to kiss my mouth before taking off his suit jacket and hanging it on the hook at the side of the booth. He was wearing a form-fitting blue dress shirt that hugged his muscles in all the right ways. The man knew how to wear clothes. His glasses slipped down his nose, so he took them off and tucked them into his jacket pocket.
It was always strange to see him without his glasses, but he looked good either way.
