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I thought about how we’d get off the bikes and sit on some rocky overlook, and share an apple and laugh about something that happened long ago in the past.
I even pictured him putting his arm around me, or leaning in to kiss me…
But hedidn’task me on a date.
It was a freaking bike ride.
I scowl down at my seltzer and only half-heartedly listen to Overalls, next to me, who is still happily chatting about Veronica.
“... and sure, she’s a good deal older. Forty-five, maybe? Forty-six? That has some people talking, believe you me. Good for her, I say, catching the eye of a young man like Parker. A young,handsomeman like Parker.”
She winks at me and grins. “I may be a grandmother of three, but I can still spot a looker when I see one! That Parker has the cutest caboose on him, that I just want to reach out and pinch!”
I can’t even muster a polite laugh. My chest feels like lead.
It’s happening. Again.
I’m jealous, just like I used to get when I’d see photos of Parker with his arms around some bronzed, bikini-clad Volleyball Goddess on a white-sand beach.
But I’msmarterthan this. I’mbetterthan this.
I don’t need to sit here on this worn leather bar stool feeling sorry for myself about the fact that Parker Manning’s currently out with some hot-ticket single mom from Pines Peak.
In fact, I could use this to my advantage. If Parker’s actually into this Veronica woman, I could invite her to participate in the Right Match process, too. I could help speed along their romance.
I haven’t even finished the glass of seltzer, but I can’t sit here any more. I feel antsy, and eager to get a move on.
I’m also hungry, and not for Dirty Fries, whatever they are.
So I turn and snatch up my purse, and then wriggle into my fleece.
Overalls, beside me, uses her detective skills to take a stab at the meaning behind my actions. “Leavin’ already?”
“Yeah, I better get back to where I’m staying.”
She squeezes her eyes closed and then presses both index fingers to her temples. When her eyes pop open, she looks right at me. “Ed wants you to know something before you go. He says that if you’ve got a good heart in ya, you’ll buy me a beer. Hm… lemme see. He says you should buy me a Long Trail Limbo IPA. Now, ain’t that a funny message. What do you think?”
“Maybe another time,” I tell her, before turning on my heel and heading for the door.
Behind me, she calls out her goodbye. “And be careful out there, ya hear? ‘Cause, I’m sorry to say it, but now ya might just be cursed!”
I don’t have to worry about getting cursed.
This trip to Vermont is a big enough mess as it is.
Chapter9
Gemma
Back at the Mannings, I have to carefully squeeze my Prius into the patch of vacant driveway next to Parker’s truck. Heaven knows I don’t want to block the guy in, since he has such a vibrant social life these days. He’s home now, but he might well be jetting off soon so he can spend the night with his current flavor of the month.
The garage bay doors are part way open, and music’s blaring inside.
I duck under and then straighten up in time to see Parker, lying on his back on a weight training bench. As I watch he presses up an ungodly amount of weight on a barbell. He grunts as he straightens his bulging arms, and then, with control, lowers the weighted bar back to the rack above his head.
“Hey,” I say, once he’s no longer in danger of crushing his larynx. “What are you doing back here already? I heard you might be blowing off work, out on a hot date with Veronica.”
He chuckles.
