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“Well...yeah, but...”
“Then it’s a date.”
It was sonota date. Monica preferred dating women.
He shook his head emphatically. “Nota date. Just dinner. As for Zoey, I didn’t ask her to do that. I’m not ready to get serious with anyone, but I honestly don’t mind most of the evenings you set up. As long as you aren’t hoping to find me ‘the one.’” He raised a brow at Cecile. “And no more cat-lady librarians who live on boats, okay?” Cecile nodded quickly, her blond curls bouncing. Mike leaned to the side to give Evie Hudson room to deliver his burger. She knew he always had the special on Wednesdays. Evie patted him on the shoulder, then hurried back to the counter.
He picked up the sandwich, nodding to the ladies. “Pardon my eating, but I’m on a schedule. And this is the best stuffed burger in New York.”
“You know they got that recipe from Mark Hudson, right?” Iris asked.
“Mark and I have been friends since high school, so yes, I know. His burger recipe was his pride and joy, but he gave it up to Evie when he was trying to win her back. He’d have walked barefoot across broken glass if that’s what it took.”
Vickie chuckled. “If I remember correctly, she came close to making him do just that. She was a tough nut to crack after he broke her heart, but he got through to her.”
“And now,” Cecile said, “they’re married and having babies! Such a sweet couple. We want you to find someone like tha—”
Mike had to finish his bite of the burger before he answered. “If you think a woman and I might have something in common, I don’t mind having a nice dinner with her. Platonically. Like my classmate and I are doing tonight. No making babies. Okay?”
“You have our word, Mike.” Lena spoke up for the first time, her short dreadlocks held off her face with a colorful scarf. She gave Cecile a firm nudge with her elbow. “If you’re giving us permission to find you dinner companionship, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for you.” Lena’s triple-hoop gold earrings brushed against her neck. An artist with the occasional senior modeling gig, Lena looked every inch the part with her brilliant green top and swaths of gold chains dotted with colorful porcelain beads she’d probably made herself. “And no cat-ladies.”
“Youhave three cats, Lena.” Iris took a sip of her coffee.
“Ihave no interest in marrying Mike.”
He laughed at that. “You ladies are a kick.”
“If anyone should understand that you don’t want anything serious,” Vickie said, “it’s the three of us.” She gestured at herself, Iris and Lena. “We’ve been single for years.Decadesfor you, Iris. We don’t need wedding bells.”
Lena’s eyes went soft and wistful. “A dinner companion would be nice once in a while, though.”
Vickie nodded in agreement. “True. I’ve got my routine down to a science after all these years. But I do miss a man’s presence across the table in a nice restaurant. Some grown-up conversation over wine. Even a good-natured debate now and then. Someone to walk to the lakeshore and sit on the dock with.” She blinked, realizing they were all hanging on her words. Vickie straightened. “But I’m finewithoutit, too.”
“I don’t know how you do it, girls.” Cecile shook her head, swatting at Vickie’s hand when she reached for more fries, then turning her plate so Vickie had easier access. “If I lost Charlie, I don’t know how I’d go on. I don’t thinkcompanionshipwould cut it. He’s the love of my life, and he can’t be replaced with just any warm body.”
Vickie nodded. “After three marriages, I don’t think I’d ever get serious with anyone again. But as annoying as men can be, I do miss having one around.”
“Agreed.” Iris surprised them by jumping into the conversation. Her husband left her fifty years ago. Mike finished his burger, listening to this tell-all lunch conversation.
“Iris, are you sayingyou’dlike a dinner date once in a while?” Cecile’s disbelief was clear.
The older woman’s blue eyes narrowed dangerously. “Yes, Cecile. Even cranky old Iris gets lonely occasionally. And if you thinkthat’sshocking...” She leaned forward. “Wait until I tell you what I’d like a man to do with my body!”
Mike nearly choked on his soda. “Ladies, please!” He covered his mouth with his napkin to hide his laughter. “Remember you have an impressionable young man at the table.”
Iris swatted at his arm. “Impressionable, my ass. But I’ll spare you from any more details.”
He checked his watch and rose to his feet, sliding the chair back to the table he’d taken it from.
“Gotta run. Thanks for the entertaining company.”
As he walked away, the women were listing the things they didand didnotwant a man around for in their lives.
ZOEYHEARDTHElaughter before she’d even opened the door to The Spot. Her godmother and some of her book club pals were having a grand time in their booth along the left wall. The counter stretched down the right side of the narrow diner, where Evie Hudson and her mom, Evelyn Rosales, were serving customers and passing each other in the limited space as if they’d done it forever. And they basically had.
Evie’s parents had run the diner together, bringing up their daughter in the business. The diner hadn’t originally been part of Evie’s dream, but after her father died unexpectedly, she’d stepped up to help her mom run the place. It wasn’t long before she’d realized this little diner was the virtual heart of Rendezvous Falls, and she needed to keep it going.
“Zoey!” Evie waved from the far end of the counter, where she’d been talking with a good-looking man with perfectly coifed golden hair. “Hey, come meet this guy—he sells appliances!”
