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“And you’re already cooking for him? That’s a little fast, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s not really all that fast. People cook for each other all the time.” I let out a breath of exasperation. Why am I defending myself here? I don’t owe Ms. McManus any more information! Especially when the whole thing’s a lie!
“Well, that’s too bad. My nephew is a very nice and respectful man. You’d have liked him.” She turns to go and heads out of my shop.
“I’m sure he is, but…” I don’t even have to finish my sentence because she’s no longer paying attention to anything I have to say.
Four
Harrison
Trina has a date tonight.
I wasn’t even supposed to know about it. She didn’t tell me anything. I had to overhear her tell someone else. I’m still a little in shock at what I heard, but it’s starting to sink in.
And the bastard’s coming over to herhouse. I mull this over while clenching and unclenching my fists. I may not technically have the right to be incensed, but suddenly I am.
How could I have missed my window? We’ve been in each other’s pockets and seeing one another at least every other day if not more often for ages. Yet the second I figure out we should date she’s suddenly unavailable?
It's bizarre.
I also can’t help but be annoyed that it took my brother pointing it out before I realized what was going on. Maybe I discounted her as anything but a friend because we’ve been in each other’s orbits all our lives. And for most of that time, I had Jane.
But Trina’s always been one of the most attractive women in town. That wavy copper hair that shines like a penny. Those hazel eyes of hers with their gold and green irises with brown circling the rims. They sparkle anytime she smiles. That hourglass figure makes my mouth water.
And those freckles. As I stood there gazing at her today, I realized for the first time ever that I’d like to connect the dots to each and every one.
Why couldn’t I have realized this sooner? But I know why. Jane. I’d let losing her keep me from moving forward. I would never stop loving Jane—never in a million years—but time has helped relieve some of the pain. And now I know I have to move forward and pay attention to what’s been in front of me the whole time.
Frustrated, I bypass my store—Heath should be fine since we’re rarely busy and only open for another half hour—and aim my steps toward The Creative Gallery. Sam, one of my buddies and the resident artist, can work some erratic hours at times, but I luck out and find him out on the gallery floor.
I feel confident that I talk him into knocking off early as long as there’s an offer of drinks and some food. I’m pretty sure his fiancée will be out of town on the Georgia Tech campus where she coaches ladies’ basketball. She comes home on the weekends when she can, but since it’s a Tuesday, she’ll likely not be there.
“Want to grab a beer with me at the Heron?” The Blue Heron, Oak Valley’s finest restaurant, would be guaranteed to provide the best offerings and customer service.
“Hell, yeah,” Sam says, going to clean his paintbrushes. “Let’s do it.”
After downing some prime apps, crab-stuffed flounder, loaded baked potatoes, and three glasses each of Georgia brewed craft beer, I’m feeling considerably more relaxed.
“How are you and Amanda doing with the long-distance thing?”
“We’re making it work. Not going to claim that it’s easy, and now that the season’s over she’s got a break before recruiting starts in earnest. And there’s always Zoom.”
“Yeah, I really don’t want to hear about your video chats, thanks.”
He burst out laughing, not even bothered by my inference. Hell, I’m sure they did.
If I was him, I would.
Not that I’d thought much of sex over recent years. My libido had pretty much gone dormant the instant I discovered that my beloved wife had gone off the road in a storm and would never again make it home to me.
“So,” Sam asks once he stops busting a gut. “What’s up?”
“I saw Landon earlier.” And he pissed me off. “I wish he’d chosen to stay with me there at the shop. Never thought I’d end up trying to run it alone.”
“But he’s so much more satisfied doing his photography, right? You don’t begrudge him that, do you?”
“Not at all.” Truly, I didn’t.
