AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s particularly good for the soul. It gives it nourishment.” Chi-Chi was on a roll.
Gaines smiled and nodded. “Very true.” He was thinking about his own load of raising a son half the time but trying to be accessible all the time. There was always a lot of stress with his job, plus he was in the process of moving, with a huge renovation job ahead of him. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in he couldn’t remember when. Must be the endorphins and serotonin the brain releases when you’re laughing. That, he knew, was a scientific fact.
Luna was getting conscious of the time. “We should head back over to Jennine’s. She should be finished wrapping your dishes by now.” She gave Chi-Chi another eye roll.
“Ah, let me see the bat. I have tissue and a large tote bag.”
Gaines handed it over to Chi-Chi.
“We’ll go pick up the dishes and swing back here,” Luna suggested.
“Very good.” Chi-Chi went to the back room, and Luna and Gaines proceeded to Jennine’s.
Jennine was pacing the floor. “Oh, there you are.” Luna could feel her vibe gushing out of every pore.
“Yes. Is everything ready to go?” Gaines asked, noticing that there were no shopping bags awaiting him.
“Oh yes. But I thought I’d give you a tour of my workshop before you go.”
Luna was about to lose it, but Gaines immediately responded.
“Thanks, but I really have to get going. I have an appointment at the Biltmore in a half hour.”
“Perhaps when you’re done?” Luna couldn’t believe Jennine wassopushy.
“I’m afraid I’ll be tied up until I have to return to Charlotte.” He was beginning to get impatient. Luna could see his body language. He was moving his toe up and down slowly. Not quite tapping it, but the sentiment was there. Luna almost laughed out loud.
Jennine stiffened. She knew when she was being rebuffed. It wouldn’t be the first time. Luna wished she could tell Jennine not to try so hard. Especially withherfriend.
“Well, I do hope you come back to our art haven. It would be lovely to see you again.” Jennine just couldn’t help herself. She reminded Luna of Samantha fromSex and the City. Jennine went behind the counter and produced three shopping bags holding several boxes in which his dishes were carefully packed in bubble wrap.
Luna took the shopping bag that held the hand-blown glasses and Gaines took the bags from Jennine.
“Bye, now!” She waved as if she were saying “bon voyage” to a lover.
They quickly walked back to Chi-Chi’s to pick up the bat. “I think you’re going to need a hand with all this stuff.”
“You’re probably right,” Gaines agreed, when Chi-Chi handed him the bag.
“I’ll take the bat and the glasses,” Luna offered.
“My car is parked on the other side. Near your place,” Gaines noted. “Can we swing by and see Cullen?”
“Sure!” Luna was more than happy to have one last kumbaya moment with her two favorite men.
“I want to talk to him about that old table in the back.”
Luna froze. “Really?”
“Yes. Why? You weren’t serious when you said . . . oh, wait. Youwereserious. Something about that table, eh?” Gaines was getting some of what made Luna tick. Then he let out a guffaw.
“What’s so funny?” Luna was about to stomp her feet in protest.
He had to tell her. It was too funny to keep to himself.
“So I was thinking, ‘I wonder what makes Luna tick?’ Luna-tick? Get it?”
It wasn’t the first time she had heard it, but coming from Gaines, it was rather hilarious.
