AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, she won’t,” Evie says. “But I asked Unc on FaceTime, and he said I should definitely tell you.”
“He did?”
She nods.
I consider this for several seconds. “Okay,” I say, still not sure I’m on solid ethical ground here. “What did he want you to tell me?”
She scrunches her face like she’s trying to remember. “Ummm, oh, I know.”
I’m going to have a heart attack waiting for these details.
“He says Mama is really good at making sure other people get what they want and very bad at saying what she wants.” She scratches her nose. “Did the practice kissing help you with your other girlfriend?”
I choke on my own spit and can’t answer, but Evie isn’t deterred.
“Did it?”
I shake my head. I have no words.
“My mom thinks you want Lulu. Do you?”
I shake my head again.
“Then you better tell her. My mom. Because I think she wants you for herself, but she won’t say it if she’s trying to help you get Lulu.”
“Evie?” Bill calls. “You ready?”
“Yes, Dub. I’m coming,” she calls back. She gives me a long look, a look that sees more than any of the adults in her life give her credit for, but I won’t underestimate her again. “Can you fix this, Mr. Henry?”
I give a slow nod, the glimmer of an idea shaping up in my mind. “I think I can.”
“Good,” she says. “Tell Cat bye for me.” Then she waves and runs around the corner of the house to her grandpa.
I have a massive amount of manual labor to do and several phone calls to make to find out how long I have to do it.
But I’m ready. Willing. Able.
And on fire.
Just like any man in love.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Paige
Ican’tbelieveIdid this job for five years.
It’s taken until well after 1:00 for the “brunch” rush to die down. I remember the mechanics of waiting tables well enough, and I’ve got a plump wad of cash in my pocket thanks to generous tips. But I’d forgotten how sore my feet could get and how much my lower back could ache.
Also? My hair smells like onions. I forgot how I was desperate to wash off that smell at the end of every shift.
Truth be told, Cindy probably could have handled the last hour by herself, but she thanked me so profusely and begged for just a little more time, so I’d stayed longer. Now only two tables are occupied, and I’m ready to go. I’m also more thankful than ever for Tabitha’s influencer idea and determined to be the best student of how to make it work than anyone in the history of ever who has not wanted to go back to waiting tables.
I’m folding my apron and getting ready to walk home when Bill calls.
“Hey, honey, I’m sorry to ask, but Gary called and it sounds like that flu found him. I took Evie with me to do some errands in Roanoke, and we won’t be back for a couple hours. Could you go in and cover for him until I get there and take over?”
Worst “day off” ever. But what can I do? Bill doesn’t ask for many favors, and Gary would do it for me. “Sure, Bill. I’ll head over right now.”
