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“Two is good. I’m expecting them to arrive around three.”
Finishing up her shopping, she got a coffee to go and went home to drop off the groceries, and then out again to have her hair and nails done. Hocus would oversee the housekeeper, who was gone by the time Pam returned home at noon.
She had just pulled into the garage when her phone beeped. It was Dan. Frowning, she shut the car off but didn’t get out.
“Do you have ESP?”
“I hear you’re having guests this afternoon.”
“I am. And what is it to you?”
“I was hoping you’d have it in your heart to introduce me. I hear they’re single.”
“Dan, you just told me you were going to try to go it alone. What has it been? Two days? Why do I listen to you? And don’t you have to work?”
“I’m not busy in the afternoon. And you told me that we would always be friends, or was that another Dan?”
Sputtering, she barked out a laugh. “No, it was you. Come by if you must.”
“Thank you. I promise not to embarrass you. Hey, before I hang up, how’s Jake?”
“He’s okay, I guess,” she said. “I’ve got to get moving.”
The truth was they’d had a slight falling-out, not a fight exactly, but Jake had had a complete turnabout, wanting to be alone. They hadn’t seen each other since the Sunday when he left to see his mother.
When she hadn’t heard from him by the evening, concern grew, so she made the bold move to drive to his house. His monster truck was gone, the sedan in the driveway. The house was dark. She got back in the car and drove down the highway to the roadhouse where they had danced weekly. There was his monster truck.
Suddenly feeling like she was twenty years old, and not in a good way, she pulled into the parking lot. He was probably inside with his family, having dinner. But until she made sure he was okay, she wasn’t going to rest, so she boldly went inside. The hostess was busy with customers, so she just peeked into the dining room. In a booth, he sat across from an attractive, fortyish or thereabouts looking woman, with long red hair.
With heart pounding out a staccato beat, she backed up to sneak away, but it was too late, he had looked up and saw her standing there. Mouthingjust a second, he slid out of the booth and came after Pam, who was trying to make a getaway.
“Pam, hold up,” he called out, but she kept walking through the door.
Out in the parking lot, he caught up with her.
“Pam, wait. Look, I’m sorry.”
“For what, Jake? For not answering my calls? I’ve been trying to get in touch all day. Two days ago, you collapsed in my house. It was all I could think about, you lying somewhere unconscious. Does your friend know CPR?”
“I just need to rethink things between us.”
“What happened between Saturday night when you told me you loved me and now?”
“I realized I need to make amends to a few people from my past. I know it seems out of character…”
“Does it? I wonder if I even know you. What does it mean exactly? Are we still lovers? Or are you going to sow your oats while you still have time?”
Cringing, she knew that was mean, but it was too late. She was tired of men taking advantage of her. Even dying men.
“We’ll still see each other,” he said.
“Not if you’re seeing other women we aren’t,” she replied, choking back a sob. “Goodbye, Jake. Best wishes.”
She walked to her car, and he didn’t try to stop her, returning to the restaurant.
By Tuesday, preparing for her guests, she was angry, angry that Jake had treated her so poorly, but even angrier that she’d allowed it to happen.
“Damn!” she cried, throwing her workout gear into the hamper.
