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Jesus freaking Christ. How the hell did she know anyway? Josie and I didn’t get out of the car last night until almost ten thirty, and it was barely eight in the morning now. In the span of nine-and-a-half hours, Opal had already heard the news. I was about to tell her to mind her own business when the office door opened and Porter walked in. He saw me and flashed the same shit-eating grin as the town crier.
I threw my hands up in the air. “Seriously? Both of you?”
“If I’m gonna lose,” Porter said. “I at least want it to be to a formidable opponent.”
I shook my head. “How the hell did you two find out anyway?”
“I ran into Josie this morning at the Beanery,” Porter said. “She was going to the home-improvement store. Figured I’d take my shot, since the opportunity presented itself.”
I gritted my teeth.
Porter noticed the look on my face and chuckled. “Don’t worry. She shot me down. I invited her to dinner Friday night, and she said she already had plans. I asked who the lucky guy was, and she reluctantly spilled the beans.” He came up next to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “Lucky dog.”
I pointed a finger at him in warning. “Watch it.”
Porter raised both hands, showing me his palms. “Didn’t mean any disrespect.”
I went back to looking down at the plans and gestured toward the door. “Let’s all get back to work.”
The two of them backed off, but not before exchanging another goofy grin. Porter left to start laying a wood floor, and Opal had the week’s payroll to run. I calculated what it would cost to make some last-minute changes on an upcoming job. At twelve, I headed to the little diner on the outskirts of town for my regular Thursday lunch. I got caught behind an accident on a one-lane road, so my mother was already seated at our regular booth when I arrived.
I bent and kissed her cheek before sliding into the seat across from her. “Hey, Ma. Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem. I was catching up with Tricia Scalia.” She leaned and whispered. “She’s getting a divorce.”
Even my mother couldn’t help herself from time to time. I lifted the menu. “Wayne’s a dick anyway.”
My mother frowned. “Do you have to use that word?”
“Sorry.”
She lowered her eyes to the menu. “So, anythingnew?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why did you say it that way?”
Mom lifted her menu to cover her mouth. But the crinkles around her eyes gave away the smile she was trying to hide. “What way?”
My shoulders slumped. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Let me guess, you spoke to Opal today.”
She hugged the menu to her chest. “I wasn’t going to mention it, because I know how much you hate people digging into your business. But since you brought it up…”
“Uh-huh.” I shook my head.
Mom reached out and touched my arm. “Oh, Fox. I’m happy for you. I’m glad you’re getting back out there and dating. Josie is a lovely girl.”
“I’ve dated.”
“I don’t mean mattress dancing. I meandating. Getting to know a woman. But more importantly, letting her get to knowyou.”
“I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself…”
“I don’t think so. This is a big step after everything you’ve been through.”
“It’s really not a big deal.”
She pursed her lips. “Does she…know?”
It was my turn to frown now. “We’re not having this conversation.”
