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“I ran into his mother at the grocery store. She said someone spotted you two at PV’s Bar & Grill.”
Leah swallowed. “We hung out this week.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“We had fun.” Leah shrugged her shoulders. “Seth’s matured from when we were in high school.”
“Be careful, Leah. I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“It’s not like that,” she assured her mother.
“Okay, I wanted to check.”
Leah cut into her salmon. “I’m having dinner, Mom, so can I call you back?”
“That’s okay; I’ll talk to you later. Your father’s watching The Magnificent Seven. There’s no way I’m missing it.”
“Tell Dad I said hi. I’ll see you both Sunday.”
“Don’t forget to make the garlic mashed potatoes. Your dad’s been requesting them, and he’ll only eat your recipe.”
Leah stretched out her legs underneath the table. “I’ll bring it. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetie.”
Leah placed her phone back on the table. Once she finished her meal and cleaned up, she changed into her pajamas. Sitting on the couch, she clutched a pillow to her chest. When she saw The Great Race playing, she shrieked. She then swayed in her seat as she sang along to the theme song.
As the movie played, she curled on her sofa still clutching her pillow. By the time the movie got to the intermission, Leah’s eyelids drooped. It was too early for her to go to bed, so she stayed in her spot, even as the theme song in the background lullabied her to sleep.
Her body jolted upright not too long after, hearing her cell buzz on the coffee table. Leah rubbed her eyes and swung her legs from the couch. She picked up her cell, spotting a text from Cole.
9:13 PM… Cole: Thanks 2 ur obsession w/ old films, im watchin ball of fire
The corners of her mouth quirked up. She adored the classic with Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. Leah yawned as she replied to his message.
9:16 PM… Leah: LOL im watchin the great race. Another Jack Lemmon & Tony Curtis classic
9:18 PM… Cole: LOL haven’t seen that one yet. Wats it about?
9:21 PM… Leah: Jack & tony r entertainers & race from New York to Paris. 2 funny
9:23 PM… Cole: I’ll add that one 2 my list since u say it’s funny
Leah stretched back on the couch as she texted back and forth with Cole. By the time ten o’clock struck the clock, they said goodnight to each other. She dragged her feet to bed, plopping on her mattress. She pulled the covers over her as sleep consumed her.
****
Cole toasted his glass with Seth. They sat at the wooden stools butting up against brass foot rails at the high counter of PV’s Bar and Grill. Patrons crowded tables and booths, their orders fulfilled by the wait staff. Brady, the bartender, freshened drinks standing in front of a wall of bottles, along with upside-down stem glasses in racks above. Cole stared at himself in the mirrored wall behind the bar which threw back reflections of neon signs. When he returned his glass to his napkin coaster, he eyed his brother.
Seth fidgeted. He kept rubbing the back of his head and wringing his hands together. When he shifted in his seat, as if to get comfortable, Cole raised an eyebrow.
“You cool, bro?” Cole asked. He picked up another fried pickle from his plate.
“She’s amazing,” Seth replied.
Cole furrowed his eyebrows. “Who? You met someone?”
Seth ran his fingers down his clean-shaven face. “Leah.”
