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“Oh.”
“Jamie is a control freak, and I actually find him quite annoying.”
“That’s a strong opinion for someone you just met,” he says.
I take a sip of pop before responding, “Some people just rub you the wrong way, you know?”
A shadow moves past our table, and I look up to see Paige standing there. “Missy?” She looks at Tim and asks, “Tim Ferris, is that you?” My friend is no actress, which causes her words to sound scripted.
Tim smiles engagingly. “Paige Holland. How are you? Do you still live in Elk Lake?”
“I’m the seventh-grade math teacher,” she offers with a small curtsy.
“That’s cool,” he says.
She turns and looks around the full diner. “I guess I better go find a place to sit. It looks like there’s a spot opening at the counter.” With a small wave, she says, “I’ll see you guys later.”
As she turns to leave, Tim asks me, “Are you two still good friends?” I wonder if he’s trying to decide if Paige’s being here is coincidental or if it was pre-planned.
I decide to come clean. “I told her we were meeting here, and she wanted to see you for herself.”
He smiles playfully. “Is there a signal if things are going spectacularly wrong?”
“No, but we discussed it.”
“What do you think she’d do if I started flashing made-up gang signs at her? Would she come running?”
“She’d probably call 911,” I tease before saying, “Watch this …”
As soon as Paige glances at me, I start to flick my nose repeatedly. The look of confusion on her face makes it hard to keep a straight face. I look over at Tim and see he’s making a cutting gesture across his neck. Poor Paige is completely puzzled.
Neither of us is surprised when she picks up her phone and calls me. I put her on the speakerphone. “What’s happening?” she demands. “I thought you didn’t want a signal.”
Tim answers, “Did you getmysignal? I needed you to call me so I can get out of this horrible date.”
“Haha,” Paige says. “I’ll have you both know that having a signal is considered smart in today’s day and age. One of you might be an axe murderer.”
“Are you an axe murderer?” Tim asks me.
I shake my head and respond, “You?”
“Nope. How about you, Paige?”
“I’m about to be.” She sounds annoyed.
“Should we ask her to join us?” Tim wants to know.
I continue to amuse myself by saying, “She might get uncomfortable when we start to make out in front of her, but if you’re okay with that, so am I.”
Paige hangs up and we watch as she gathers her purse and drink. When she arrives at our table, she drops her stuff next to me. “How is this a date if I’m here?”
Tim shrugs his eyebrows up and down several times before answering, “I’m in the market for a pair of sister wives. I think you two would fit the bill nicely.”
“Gross.” Paige sits down and demands, “So, is this a love match or what?”
“So far, it’s just two people getting to know each other. Three, now that you’re here. By the way, he knows your being here was planned,” I tell her.
“You told him I was crashing your date?” Paige asks me.
