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Chapter Two
Philomena Wilson
“Even if we don’t utter a word over lunch, I know I’m going to have a good time,” I told my friend Crystal through the phone. She was the one person I could be totally honest with. We’d been best friends since our parents put us in the same playpen at daycare. We spoke every day. Even when I traveled on business, like the trip I was on now, I knew she was only a phone call away.
“You make it sound like having a good time is a bad thing,” Crystal stated.
I leaned back against the pillows on my bed. “It is! I’m not here on vacation like he is. I’m here to work.”
“I wouldn’t call bawling your eyes out at a wake and funeral ‘work’,” she said.
Crystal would never understand my job or why I chose this work. She and I saw life differently. For her, work meant a career, and a career was supposed to lead to wealth and success. But none of that impressed me. Yes, I got paid, but it wasn’t about the money. These people - the families I work with - they needed me, and I wasn’t about to blow it just because some good-looking stranger asked me out.
“I’m sure my client feels differently,” I responded, hoping that even over the phone, she’d get the hint to drop it.
“Fine. So, tell me more about this hunk you’re going out with.”
“It’s just lunch and there isn’t much to tell. We met while I was on a hike,” I said.
“Is he a local up there?” she inquired. “I mean, is he from New Hampshire?”
“He didn’t say, but he has a Boston accent, so I doubt it. Clark mentioned that he was here camping with his family.”
“He’s married?” Crystal gasped. “You failed to mention that.”
“No. He’s not married,” I stated.
Crystal chuckled. “Oh, so you asked? Guess I know why you said yes to that date. You’re attracted to him.”
Duh.
“He was just being nice.” Even though he tried to convince me he wasn’t a nice guy.
“I knew that when you told me he wouldn’t leave you alone in Franconia Notch. I still can’t believe you went hiking alone. If your brother Joey knew what you did…”
“Don’t you dare tell him, Crystal. I’m serious.” Joey was overprotective and overbearing. He said it was his job as a big brother. But I wasn’t a child anymore. Joey was going to have to accept that.
“Have I ever ratted you out?” Crystal asked, then quickly added, “Don’t answer that. I promise not to say one word to Joey.”
That was hard to believe. Ever since she and Joey started dating, things had become complicated. I had always known where her loyalty was before, but now, I wasn’t sure, especially since it seemed like they were getting serious. The last time I spoke to Joey, he was discussing family in a way I’d never heard before. Like he was planning on having one of his own. I can’t picture Crystal being my sister-in-law, but if she’s happy, then I’m happy for her.
“Crystal, I hate to cut this call short, but I need to get going or Clark will think I blew him off.”
Crystal laughed and said, “You’d better not. At least not on the first date.”
I rolled my eyes. And I think I have a dirty mind. “You should know me better than that.”
“I also thought you were smarter than hiking alone, but you seem to be full of surprises today.”
“Trust me, Crystal, we’re getting together for lunch, not happy hour.”
I ended the call and quickly got dressed. Because I wouldn’t have time to come back to the hotel and change before work, I had no choice but to wear my black dress and black heels. I felt overdressed, but what could I do?
It wasn’t long before I was walking into the pizza place and located Clark. I could feel his eyes roaming over me as I approached. A shiver ran through me, followed by heat building from my core. I hadn’t dated in a few months, and it probably was close to a year since I’d been with a man. My body was inconveniently reminding me of what I was missing. Oh, yeah. You’re going to be very distracting.
Although I was tempted to turn and walk right back out of the restaurant, I mustered up all the control and slid into the booth across from him. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Definitely worth the wait,” he said, his eyes finally meeting my gaze after a long, slow wander.
