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“I bet you would.” I tease back with a laugh.
“I’m old and married, not dead.” She replies with a chuckle.
Just then, the door jingles again, and in walks Andrew, toolbox in hand.
“Speak of the devil.” Cassidy mutters with a wink.
I feel my face turn red when he turns to nod in my direction. I’ve successfully avoided him ever since the snake and music fiasco yesterday and now I’m not really sure how to act towards him. In all honesty, I feel like a jerk for needing his help after yelling at him. Of course, I haven’t forgiven him for calling me a Karen, either. Why is everything so damn confusing?
He puts his toolbox on the ground and goes back out the door.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
“Oh, he’s doing some work around here for me today. He’s a contractor, so I’m taking advantage of his time in town.”
“Oh.” I say, nodding. Maybe I need to make nice with the contractor next door while I deal with my fixer upper. It’s probably too late after our last few interactions, though.
While I’m lost in thought, an older woman walks through the door and approaches the counter. I don’t know her, but I recognize her face as a Fawn Creek regular. She has to be close to Hazel’s age, or maybe older. Hazel always seemed so young for her age.
“Oh, honey.” The woman says to me, reaching her hand out to squeeze my shoulder. “I heard all about what happened.”
“Uh..” I drag out my confused expression, unsure how to respond to her.
“I can’t believe your husband was cheating on you with the maid.” She whispers. “His loss though.”
I blink slowly as she turns her attention towards Cassidy and places her order for a small black coffee, leaving me dumbfounded. Husband? The maid? Is this what the people of Fawn Creek are saying about me? I shake my head and try to make sense of what just happened. With a raise of my hand, I wave goodbye to Cassidy and make my way towards the door. I need to get home and get ready for work, and out of this weird situation.
I reach the door just as Andrew appears on the opposite side. His hands are full of tools. Quickly, I pull the door open and hold it for him to make his way inside.
“Thanks.” He offers with a soft expression. It’s not quite a smile, but it’s nicer than anything else I’ve gotten from him in the past. I decide to count that as a win and make my way back to Hazel’s. Maybe I can at least get along with my neighbor. But that’s the only goal. I don’t need my heart broken again.
Chapter 14
“You about done?” Avery asks, as her can of hairspray meets the counter with a clink.
“Just about.” I assure her as I lean over the bathroom counter to apply a layer of mascara.
I have to admit, spending the evening getting ready at Avery’s bathroom counter has been a bit nostalgic. It’s almost as though we’re back in high school, huddled together at her vanity mirror, getting ready for the winter formal. We always got ready at her house, because my mom would have never let us leave the house with makeup on.
If only she could see us now. Actually, come to think of it, I wonder if my parents will be there tonight. If they sold 1200 tickets, and the population of Fawn Creek is 1200… Math isn’t my best subject, but something tells me I’ll be having to hide beer from my parents tonight, just like the good ole days. I grimace at the thought of running into them tonight.
Avery appears to read my mind, as usual. “You are not going to get out of going tonight. Don’t even try.”
I sigh. “I’m not trying to get out of it. It’s just… I’m just a little nervous about going out in public for the first time since I’ve been back in town.” I admit. “I’ve never done things in this town as an adult. Some of these people make me feel like I really am still just a teenage girl, you know?”
Avery nods. “I don’t think that feeling ever goes away.” She sighs. “I still have a hard enough time remembering I’m a grownup. But, I promise you, no one in this town will care that you, an adult woman, are having a couple of beers downtown at the concert. As long as you don’t make an ass out of yourself, they won’t notice. And don’t worry, your parents never come to the concerts.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Good. Keeping some distance from them isn’t as easy now that we live a few blocks apart.” I pause. “I don’t know that you’re right about people not caring about what I’m doing, though. Wednesday some old lady told me she was sorry that my husband cheated on me with the maid.”
Avery laughs and motions for me to follow her down the hall. “The maid, huh?” She shakes her head. “Damn, I haven’t heard that one yet.”
“I didn’t even know I had a maid.” I roll my eyes. “She must have only been sleeping with Elliott because I was the only one keeping that house clean.”
Avery laughs. “People are wild. I can’t wait to hear what else is happening in your life.”
“I’m sure we will hear it all tonight.”
Avery shrugs. “Meh, who cares what people say? Besides, we have other things to worry about, like finding you a husband.”
