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“My dear stepfather doesn’t show any signs of missing her and if she’s staying longer, she’s clearly not missing him.”
I follow Missy through the door. “I thought your mom and Howard had a good marriage.”
Missy side-eyes me. “Only if you think constantly cooking, cleaning, and serving a grown man-child is a good marriage.”
“Yeah, but I thought that kind of thing was your mom’s bliss.”
Missy opens her mouth and sticks a finger inside like she’s pretending to gag herself. “I think she’s finally realized she deserves better.”
I shuffle toward her. “Maybe when you’re alone for long enough it’s easy to talk yourself into thinking something is better than nothing.”
Missy’s eyes narrow like she’s closely considering my comment. “That’s what you’re worried you’re going to do? Settle for someone who isn’t right for you?”
“Maybe.”
We walk down Main Street in silence for a few minutes, when my friend announces, “I won’t let you settle.”
“You’re not going to be there. And you’re not allowed to meet anyone until the season is done taping.”
“Well then, Tim won’t let you. I assume that as the owner of the club, he’ll be around.”
“I’m not sure how much they’re going to let outside people see.”
Missy opens the door to the ice cream parlor for me. It’s surprisingly empty for a Saturday afternoon. After we order—one scoop of mint chip for Missy, and my selection of rum raisin, peanut butter chocolate, and bubble gum—we turn around to leave and run smack into Faith and Teddy.
“Hey, you two!” Faith looks more gorgeous than I’ve ever seen her. Clearly being in love is working its magic on her. While I’m trying to be happy for her—I have so many people to be happy for these days—I’m running out of reserves.
Missy hugs her before doing the same to Teddy. I merely offer a small wave. “What are you guys up to?” Missy wants to know.
“Feeding our baby lunch.” Faith runs her hand over her flat stomach.
“You’re pregnant?” Missy issuperexcited for them.
“We just found out.” There must be something to that old saying because Faith is seriously glowing.
“I’m so excited for you!” Missy nudges me sharply in the arm to join the conversation.
“So excited …” I manage to choke out.
Faith’s tall, dark, and sexy movie star husband says, “We’re meeting Anna and Chris at the country club for supper tonight at seven. Why don’t you guys join us?” He’s quick to add, “Jamie too, of course.”
I start to say that I can’t make it when Missy interrupts. “That sounds like fun. All three of us will be there.”
As we walk out of the ice cream shop, I lose my cool and complain, “Why did you say I’d go? I'd rather beat my head into a wall than be the only single person in a group of happy couples.”
“The club has the best patty melt this side of the Mississippi,” she says matter-of-factly. “If you don’t feel like being social, you can sit quietly and eat until you pop.”She knows this is one of my favorite pastimes and she’s using it against me.
Instead of calling her on it, I tell her, “I can do that from the comfort of my own home.”I’m going to need some cheese with my whine if I keep this up.
Missy stops walking and turns to me. “Paige Holland, you are not going to hide away from your friends just because we’re in relationships. No, ma’am. You are going to come out and have a good time like you always do.” She barely comes up for air, before adding, “Quit overthinking everything. You’ve never needed a man to be happy before, and you don’t need one now. But if you do meet Mr. Wonderful on the show, then he’s going to be the winner for getting you.”
My response is to ram my ice cream cone into my mouth.
“Jamie and I will pick you up at six thirty.” She eyes me like she knows I’m going to be in my pajamas when they arrive because I will be. “And we’ll drag you out no matter what you’re wearing.”
“Fine. But I’ll have you know that if I have to sit at a table like a little kid with a group of grown-ups, I’m not paying for myself.”
“Jamie and I will be happy to pay for you.” The smile on her face confirms how much Missy loves to win a war.
