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“You know you’ve struck out with her at least enough to have gone through a whole line-up by now, right?”
“You are cruel.” He pointed his finger at his mom. “Thought you were on my side.”
“Oh, I am,” she told him with a nod. “Just not sure you’re gonna be able to crack that one.”
“What’s her story?” he asked the same as he did every morning. Odds were, his mom knew more about Tatum than she let on. And if she didn’t, Mal’s girlfriend Everleigh did. While their tight lips frustrated him, he was also glad the beautiful woman with the sad face and pouty lips had someone to confide in.
“Isn’t it a little early for a break?”
“Ouch.” He flattened his hand over his heart and shook his head. “You wound me, Mom.”
She tipped her head and glanced at her watch as if to remind him again it was too early for a break.
“I need some caffeine.” He sighed and drummed his fingers on the countertop.
“Still not sleeping?”
“No. And Vianne’s worries over the link between insomnia and Alzheimer’s didn’t help that.”
“Vianne shared that with you?”
“She did.” Charlie nodded. “Where’s Everleigh?”
“In the back straightening the stock room.”
Charlie watched his mom pour the nectar of the gods in a large to-go cup for him.
“You’re not gonna bother her.” She made the announcement as she gently pushed the cup over the counter to him.
“Why would you think I want to bother her?”
“Because you do every morning.” His mom shrugged.
“Did Dad pee in your Wheaties today?” Charlie pressed the white plastic lid on his cup and eyed her while he took a sip.
“Charles Murphy.”
If the mom look and the no-nonsense tone didn’t tell him she meant business, the finger point did. No telling what had his mom in a foul mood today. Odds were she and Dad had words earlier, and just as likely, they would make up before lunch time.
“Thanks, Mom.” He turned to head back out. Mal and Sev would know Tatum was in here, and they would razz him about having to get his fix. About her blowing him off. Charlie had hoped to see Everleigh for a moment, not just to try and squeeze something out of her about Tatum, but also so he could lie to Mal and tell him he’d flirted with his girlfriend.
Not that Mal would be worried. No one in the Murphy family ever thought Mal would settle down, including Mal. And yet, here he was, seeing a girl he’d hooked up with the night of his buddy and his fiancée’s couple’s night out. Even more of a surprise—Everleigh seemed crazy about Mal and fit right in with the family.
“Charlie?”
He turned to look at his mom but kept walking backwards.
“Hmm?”
“Have you talked to your doctor about it?”
He felt Tatum’s eyes burn a hole through him. Even with her table now, he stared at his mom, stunned by her question and more so, the timing of her question, and wondered if she’d done it to be ornery. He knew she was worried about him, but dammit all, now Tatum was probably sitting here thinking his mom was talking about erectile dysfunction and that Charlie couldn’t get it up.
2
Tatum Pettit couldn’t help the tiny little snort when Adele Murphy asked her son if he’d seen a doctor for whatever was bothering him. If he heard her laugh, no doubt he would be in her space again, standing over her at the table, talking to her.
He wasn’t rude. In fact, he was quite the opposite. Pretty charming. Pretty eyes. Nice, thick hair. Pretty nice muscles.
