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“I’d love to. And I have an idea. Or Dotty did, really, but I listen to Dotty a lot because she’s wise. Anyway, I’m dying for some pizza from Humble’s. Dotty predicted you’d try to skip dinner and work while Loretta is here. She thought it would be good for you to get away for a couple of hours and suggested I invite you to dinner. We could talk there?”
Were there no secrets in this town? I laughed quietly at my own stupid question. Of course there were no secrets. I could either be offended by Dotty Jaworski’s nosiness or be thankful for the opportunity for a change of scenery and what had always been excellent pizza.
“Sure,” I said. “That actually sounds good. I need to get a vase for these flowers and put my laptop away, and then as soon as Loretta gets here, I can go.”
“I can watch the desk—as a volunteer, of course—while you do those things if you want.”
“Thank you.” It felt weird to leave her there, but she’d already proven she could handle it. “I’ll be back in five, and there’s Loretta now.” I spotted her walking from the parking lot.
I rushed off to the cottage, calling out a hello to Loretta on the way, found a small vase, put the flowers in water, and dropped off my computer. After a quick glance in the mirror, I decided I looked fine for Humble Pizza Pie. I had to look better than I had at the funeral yesterday, with my eyes red and my dress rumpled from all the hugs. It wasn’t like I had anyone to impress anyway.
That image of Cash, looking every bit like he’d just woken up this morning as he worked his magic in the inn’s kitchen, came to mind.
I didnotwant to impress Cash, tonight or ever. Even if the man had previously bought me an engagement ring.An engagement ring.
I hadn’t allowed myself to think too hard about that since he’d told me. It was too much, and really, what did it matter now? I needed to not let it matter now because this was just a short stay in Dragonfly. A short couple weeks around him. A pit stop that had no bearing on the rest of my life, regardless of what our past was.
Drawing in a deep breath, I ignored the shakiness in it, then fake-smiled at my reflection.
Plain black tank, denim mini, and slides would do just fine.
Ten minutes later, I thanked Loretta and told her our plans, then rode the short distance downtown in Magnolia’s cute but older BMW.
Humble’s was packed with families, couples, and groups of friends, not surprising since it was prime time on Friday night. I wasn’t an extrovert by any means, but it felt good to disappear into a crowd of happy people for a change.
“There are two spots at the end of the bar if you don’t mind sitting there,” Magnolia said, pointing.
“I’m all for it if it means I can get that pizza in my belly sooner. It smells delicious.”
I followed her to the counter, and we each climbed up on a stool.
“Please tell me you’re not that girl who orders a salad instead of pizza,” I said, setting my clutch on the bar.
“Not tonight,” Magnolia said. “We’ll be sisters in calorie consumption.”
“Perfect.”
“Hey, ladies. Would you like a drink?” A short woman, probably in her late twenties, with purple-tipped dark hair, appeared in front of us with an energetic smile.
“Hi, Jewel. This is Ava Dean.”
“Hey, Ava of the Honeysuckle Inn, right?”
Of course she knew. Everyone knew everything.
“That’s me.”
“I’m so sorry about your aunt.”
“Thanks. I’d like an iced tea if you have it, please.”
“You got it. Magnolia?”
“Tea for me too, and we’re going to order dinner.”
Jewel whipped out some single-sided menus with all the toppings you could get on your slice.
“Was that for the benefit of doing business or are you not a drinker?” Magnolia asked me as we looked them over.
