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Chapter 3
Sunday morning, Katrina got up and had breakfast on the table by the time Maggie came down. Justin was in the shower, trying to recover from a wicked hangover.
“You didn’t have to do this! Look at this feast,” Maggie said. “I love having someone cook for me. I’ll be indebted to you.”
“It’s all your food,” she said, laughing. “All I did was cook it. I’ll be your chef from now on. I had such an amazing day yesterday and the best sleep last night! I forgot it could be so quiet. I just love it here, and if I have to be the chef, maid and dog walker, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything I can.”
“It wasn’t too weird having Justin upstairs, was it?” Maggie whispered.
“Oh, man, not at all. He was definitely too buzzed to drive last night. And it was so much fun playing cards with Annie and Steve. Justin’s brother, oh, man, he’s so handsome. Amber was nice, too, although knowing what I know…” She wiggled her eyebrows. Amber had a little history with Maggie, but it was all forgotten.
“Ha! she made up for it. When I was in the hospital, she took care of Brulee for me, and you know I don’t just let anyone touch my dog.”
“I’m still psyched thinking about Gus’s information about Alphé. I feel awful that he’s still living with his ex though.”
“I’ve never seen the guy before yesterday,” Maggie said, then in a low voice, “And he’s not someone you’d forget, either.”
“I know, my god, his eyes. He’s so beautiful for a man. And his accent. And his voice. And the strength of his loins…”
The women looked at each other and barked out a laugh.
“Here comes trouble,” Katrina said, pointing at the staircase, Justin’s boots tapping out a slow beat as he descended.
“I wish I could shut out the sound of my own footsteps,” he said, grimacing.
“Come sit. I know just what you need,” Maggie said. “A bloody Mary without the blood.”
“That actually does sound pretty good.” He looked over the kitchen table. “Wow, look at this food! Believe it or not, I’m hungry.”
“Sit,” Katrina said. “I’ll show you what all this slop is.” She set a plate in front of him and handed him a giant spoon. “This here is fried cornmeal mush Cajun style.”
“Did I even have cornmeal?” Maggie asked, flaring her nostrils.
“Yes, ma’am, you did. With no bugs. This is eggs and bacon on toast with hollandaise. And this is fried rice cakes.”
“Did you use that old rice in the Chinese food container?” Maggie asked, a little worried.
“I did. It wasn’t that old. I smelled it and tasted it, and it was fine.”
They loaded their plates, and Justin moaned with each bite. “This is delicious.”
“I can’t believe this food came out of my fridge. You can stay forever if this is what we’ll get to eat.”
“I love to cook, and alas, I have no one to cook for.”
“And why is that?” Justin asked. “You’re pretty and nice, and my woman here tells me you’re smart and successful.”
“Yourwoman?” Maggie asked, barking out a laugh.
“Just making sure you know what I feel when I tell another woman she’s pretty.”
“Aw, Justy, you’re so sweet.” Maggie kissed his cheek. “I used to call Justin Justy when we were kids.”
“You knew each other when you were growing up?” Katrina asked, taking a drink of coffee.
“We did. Anyway, why no guy?” Justin asked.
“I’ve tried, trust me. I put myself out there. I’ve done online dating where I saw a different guy every week, and they only want a piece of ass, and if you don’t give out by the third date, they’re history, or they want someone to listen to their complaints about their ex-wife for hours at a time, or they don’t like animals, or they’re unemployed. No.”
