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“I could go for a slice. Maybe three.”
“I’m with you on that,” Cullen added. “We should order a large pie. Do you like anything on it?”
“Anything but bell peppers.”
Luna clicked her tongue. “I want a slice or two myself. But I like spinach on mine.” She looked at both men.
“OK with me,” Gaines said.
“And an antipasto,” Luna added. “I’m hungry!”
Louie came back to the table, and they placed their order. As Louie was about to turn away, Cullen said, “Don’t forget the garlic rolls with the antipasto!”
Luna thought to herself,Garlic rolls. Great. I love them, but my breath! Ugh.Then she reminded herselfto go with the flow.
There was a lot of conversation about Cullen’s work and Gaines’s dilapidated house. Luna was enjoying the banter between what were becoming her two favorite men.
As the meal was winding down, Gaines admitted that it was a great-tasting pizza. He then ordered spumoni and coffee for dessert. “I don’t remember the last time I had spumoni.” He leaned back against the chair, looking very satisfied.
“So what’s your plan for tomorrow?” Cullen asked innocently.
“Your sister is going to give me a tour of the art center.”
Cullen seemed a little surprised. “Is she now?” He felt Luna kick him under the table and tried not to wince.
“Yes, since I arrived so late, there wasn’t much time. I’ve heard a lot about the place and want to see it for myself.”
“I wouldn’t have figured you for an artsy kind of guy,” Cullen joked.
“There are a lot of interesting things I want to see. The glassblowing, and the dude who makes art out of beer cans, and a few others. Ellie Stillwell set the state on their asses with this project. Just goes to show you what can be done when someone puts their mind to it.”
“Yeah, too bad it always has to come from the private sector,” Luna retorted. “No offense, you being a government employee.”
“No offense taken. Believe me, I have my frustrations with the bureaucracy. But for the most part, I do my job, and people generally leave me alone,” he explained. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t get aggravated when things don’t move fast enough.”
Luna was enjoying getting to know Gaines on a more personal level. He had ethics and was extremely conscientious.
“I can only imagine. I have a lot of tolerance, but patience is a virtue I have a very hard time cultivating,” Luna replied.
“When have you ever tried to cultivate it?” Cullen teased. “This woman is one of the most impatient people I know.”
Luna couldn’t help but give him a playful slap on the arm. “Don’t believe a word he says.”
“Yeah, right. When Luna wants something done, she wants it donenow.”
“Not true.” She smirked. “OK, once in a while, but it’s usually important,” Luna defended herself.
“I’ve seen you in action. You do have a way of taking control of a situation if it’s not moving fast enough for you,” Gaines commented. “I remember our first encounter. You wanted to go to that grove right away.”
“And I was right, wasn’t I?” she taunted.
Gaines nodded in agreement. “You certainly were. And who knows how long it would have taken us to get to that grove?” He smiled at her.
Luna cocked her head toward her brother. “See? Sometimes it’s important. And I’m usually right.” She folded her arms across her chest, then quickly unfolded them. She had to keep reminding herself of her own body language.
After dessert and coffee, Louie returned to the table. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you. I’ll take the check, please,” Gaines offered.
