No one said a word. Cara couldn’t tell for sure, but it sounded like Barney was serious.
They arrived at the Bullfrog and Barney stopped out front to assess the parking situation. Without warning, she made a U-turn in the middle of the street, then turned again to park in the gas station.
“Is this the same gas station where—” Des asked Cara.
“This would be the place,” Cara admitted, “and I still have to learn how to pump gas.”
“Take you three minutes to learn,” Barney said as she got out of the car. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
Barney went into the gas station and chatted for a moment with the woman at the cash register. Smiling, Barney returned to the car.
“All right, girls. Sally’s open till eleven, so Lucille will be in good company. Let’s go,” Barney told them.
“You’re leaving the car here?” Cara asked as she got out.
“Well, I’m sure as hell not parking it out back of the bar where any Tom, Dick, or Harriet can scratch Lucille’s pretty finish.”
Barney waited while Des and Allie climbed out, then locked the car.
“Now, if for any reason it appears that I might’ve had one or two beers too many,” Barney told them as they walked toward the side door of the bar, “feel free to take my keys. I’m not one to argue where safety is concerned, and frankly, it wouldn’t be the first time someone else drove my car home with me in it.”
She opened the door, and music and chatter spilled out. The four women made their way into the main room. Several tables were scattered around and the lights were low, but not to the extent that Cara couldn’t see where they were headed. Two tables from the bar, Joe Domanski stood next to a pretty blond woman who seemed to have his complete attention.
There, see? Cara told herself. So much for the hot contractor wanting me.
“Looks like Joe got us a good table. This way, girls,” Barney said over the music.
Cara had no choice but to follow Barney, Des, and Allie as they plowed a path through the crowd, which deepened the closer they got to the bar, stopping every few feet while Barney greeted seemingly everyone and introduced the girls each time.
By the time they reached the table where Joe stood, still talking to the young woman, Cara figured she’d said, “Nice to meet you,” following an introduction, or, “Excuse me,” as she elbowed her way forward, somewhere in the area of thirty or forty times.
“Hey, guys. Glad you made it.” Joe had turned with a welcoming smile.
“Quite a crowd,” Barney said. “Is your grandmother here yet?”
“She’s three tables over talking to my mom.” Joe gestured with the beer bottle in his right hand.
“I need to talk to Gloria,” Barney told them. “Give Joe here your bar order. Joe, start running a tab for us.”
And with that, Barney was once again off through the crowd.
“So, what can I get you?” Joe asked as Allie and Des took seats at the table, which could easily accommodate six people.
“I’ll have a vodka, straight up. Light on the ice.” Allie hung her bag over the back of her chair.
“Seriously, Al? Straight vodka?” Des said disapprovingly.
Allie sighed. “All right, make it a gimlet.” She turned to her sister. “There. Better? As if a little lime juice makes a difference.”
“Suit yourself. I’ll have a beer,” Des told Joe.
“Me too.” Cara nodded and took a seat, wondering where the blonde had disappeared to.
“What kind?” Joe asked.
“Whatever you’re drinking.” Cara pointed to the bottle in Joe’s hand.
“Two Yuengling lagers, coming up.” Joe headed for the bar.
“What’s Yuengling?” Des wondered aloud.
“I actually know this.” Cara turned to her. “It’s a Pennsylvania beer. I think it might even be from somewhere in this general area. A bar in Devlin’s Light sells it. I think it’s something like one of the oldest breweries in the U.S.”
“Actually, I think it is the oldest.” Joe returned with their beers and handed them out. “Established 1829 in Pottsville, which is about ninety minutes from here.” He turned to Allie. “And here’s your gimlet. You’re in luck. PJ remembered to pick up limes today.”
“Who’s PJ?” Allie asked.
“The bartender’s wife,” Joe replied.
“Well, thank you, and thank her.” Allie tipped the glass in Joe’s direction and took a long sip.
“Thanks for the beer.” Cara raised the bottle to her lips and tasted the unfamiliar brew. It was better than most she’d tried, though she definitely preferred wine. She’d gone with beer because the Bullfrog just didn’t give “good wine” vibes. She wanted to appear as if she belonged there. She tried to act natural, as if she felt right at home, but she felt out of place and awkward. Did Joe feel obligated to keep them company because of Barney? What had happened to the girl he’d been talking to earlier?
Country music flowed from the speakers and several couples headed for the small dance floor. Cara sighed. Even the music was unfamiliar.
Joe sat in the empty chair to her right, his eyes on the dance floor. Cara followed his gaze to see the blonde dancing, close and slow, with a guy dressed all in black. Joe never took his eyes off her.
Well, I guess that lets me off the hook, Cara told herself. No reason to feel obligated to make small talk with someone who is obviously obsessed with someone else.
The song ended and the couple Joe had been watching broke apart. The blonde went to the bar and the guy in the black tee and pants disappeared into a side room, where there appeared to be a crowd.
Curious, Cara asked, “What’s in there?”
“Darts and pool.” He turned to look at her, his eyes meeting hers. She tried to look away but couldn’t. There was something about his blue eyes that got her every time. “Do you play?” he asked.
“Darts, yes. Pool, no,” she said.
“Maybe we can play later.” His eyes drifted from Cara’s face to the bar, where the blonde was now cozying up to a guy with a lot of facial hair and a man-bun. Joe’s eyes narrowed, and he stood. “Excuse me for a minute.” Leaving his beer on the table, he headed for the bar. Cara watched as he took the blonde by the arm and whispered something in her ear. The young woman rolled her eyes and half nodded. Joe walked back to the table, shaking his head.
“Everything all right?” Cara heard herself ask. She knew that whatever was going on in Joe’s life wasn’t any of her business, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“Just peachy,” he muttered.
“I called our lawyer and left a message for him to draw up a contract,” Cara said. “You’re going to have to let me know how you want to be compensated for your time.”
“I haven’t decided yet whether I’m going hourly or flat fee,” he said, “but I’ll have a number for you soon.”
“If we think it’s too high, we’ll have to negotiate,” she warned him.
“I’d expect you to, if my number’s too high. However, since I’m known for being fair and reasonable, there shouldn’t be much discussion.”
“I guess I’ll be the judge of that.”
“That’s your right, of course. But I guarantee you won’t find anyone who’ll say I overcharged them.” His eyes swept the bar area and settled on the far end. “Excuse me for a minute.”
Joe took a long sip of beer and set the bottle on the table with a bang. He got up and walked back to the bar, where he cornered the blonde and appeared to have what looked like some pretty stern words for her. The girl made a face at him and walked to the opposite side of the bar, where she hopped onto a stool and signaled the bartender.
When Joe returned to the table, his eyes—and most likely his mind—were still on the blonde, so Cara said, “Look, you don’t have to hang out with us. We’re fine. I know you feel like you have to sit here because of Barney, but really, it’s okay if you’d rather be talking to someone
else.”
Joe rested an elbow on the table and leaned a little closer to her. “There isn’t anyone else I’d rather be talking to.”
“Really, Joe. It’s okay.” She tried to sound perky but wasn’t sure she’d hit the mark. “We’ll be fine.”
He leaned a little closer. “Is this your way of telling me to get lost?”
When words stuck in her throat, he said, “ ’Cause I really like the view from right here. You can tell me if you aren’t interested. It won’t kill me. Won’t make me happy, but I’ve been rejected before and I survived. But for the record, in case you haven’t figured it out, I am definitely interested in you.” He leaned even closer, close enough that she could feel his breath on her cheek. “But if you tell me to take a hike, I am out of here. I’ve never forced my attention on any woman and I’m not about to start now.”
He seemed to look past her for a moment. “Oh, for the love of . . . That girl is going to be the death of me yet.” He looked down at Cara and said, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
She didn’t need to turn around to know he was after the blonde again. Moments later, he returned to the table, the young woman in tow.
“If you want another beer, I’ll get you one. If you want to dance, dance with someone your own age,” he said as he plunked her into a chair. “We both know what you’re doing, Jules. Everyone in the bar knows what you’re doing, so don’t think you’re being cool.”
“I hate you.” The girl looked up at him. “I wish anyone was my brother except you.”
“Well, that would certainly save me from a lot of aggravation. Make my life a lot simpler.” Joe sat down between Cara and the girl. “Now say hello to my friend Cara.”
“Hello, Cara.” The girl muttered the words flatly.
“Cara, say hello to my sister Julie.”
“Hello, Julie.”
“Julie’s boyfriend broke up with her this morning, so she’s trying to show everyone in town that she doesn’t give a damn by making every man here under forty think he has a chance with her.” He patted his sister on the back. “Swell idea, kiddo.”
“Shut up, Joe.” Julie stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed.
“And now your true level of maturity is making its way to the surface.” He turned back to Cara. “Julie is twenty-two, but sometimes she acts like she’s in third grade. She’s my cross to bear.”
“You love me.” Julie poked him.
“If I didn’t, I’d let you go ahead and continue to make a fool out of yourself.” His voice softened. “Okay, so Brad broke your heart. I get it. We’ve all been there.”
“He sent me a text.” Julie’s eyes welled with tears. “After three years, he broke up with me in a text.”
“What a coward.” It was none of her business, but Cara couldn’t help herself. What kind of man did something like that?
“That’s what I told her.” Joe nodded. “He’s a coward and an idiot.”
“I wish you’d go beat the crap out of him.” Julie sniffed. “He’s over at Ellie Jenkins’s house right now.”
“How do you know where he is?” Joe asked.
“I drove past her house on my way here and his car was outside.”
“Why? That’s out of your way.”
“Because I just felt like that’s where he’d be, okay? Lately I’ve felt this vibe between them. . . .”
“Better to know now,” Cara told Julie. Joe rested his hand lightly on Cara’s back as she leaned past him in order for Julie to hear her over the music. “Believe me, it could be a lot worse.”
“I guess.” Julie looked up at Joe. “I’ll take that beer now, thank you.”
“Cara? Another?” Joe stood.
“No, I’m good, thanks.”
“Allie? Des? Can I bring you something from the bar?”
“Yes, thank you. Another of these.” Allie raised her empty glass.
Des passed.
“So you had someone cheat on you, too?” Julie asked Cara after Joe walked away.
“My husband. With one of my best friends.”
“Ouch, that stinks. Ellie and I have been best friends since ninth grade.” Julie looked about to cry again. “I hope he’s your ex-husband.”
Cara simply nodded.
“I hate cheaters. I would never cheat.”
“Me either,” Cara agreed. “But Joe is right. It’s no consolation, but I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had their heart broken at least once. Or twice.”
“Other than your ex . . . ?”
“When I was in school, a few times. You know how everything feels so final when you’re fifteen.” Cara smiled. “And sixteen and seventeen. The boy you wanted to go to the prom with asked someone else. You thought someone liked you; then you found out he was using you to get close to your best friend. You could write it a thousand different ways, but it all comes back to the fact that no one is immune from heartache. This guy . . .”
“Brad.”
“Brad is way too immature and thoughtless for a girl like you. You deserve so much better. Certainly someone who isn’t a coward.”
“What would you do if you were me?” Julie asked.
“For one thing, I’d cut the drama. Don’t give anyone anything to talk about. If you want to sit at the bar and talk to someone, go ahead. But I’d be a little less . . . visible.”
“What did you do? I mean, when you found out your husband was cheating?”
“I did the only thing I could do. I went about my business and tried to keep a low profile for a while and hoped the gossip would die down. Which it won’t for a while yet—they’re getting married—but I had a good reason to leave town.”
“What was the reason?”
“My father died and I had to come here to fulfill the terms of his will.”
“I’m sorry about your father. Were you close?”
“Not as close as I thought we were.”
“I hear you. When my dad died, I found out he wasn’t the man I thought he was. It hurts.”
“It does,” Cara agreed.
“But it’s kind of cool about having to do something because of a will, right? That’s the sort of thing you see on TV. A man dies and his heirs have to come to this big old haunted house. . . .”
Cara laughed. “We did come to stay with our aunt, but the house isn’t haunted—at least not as far as I know.”
“Who’s your aunt? Do I know her?”
“Barney Hudson.”
“Oh, Barney. Of course I know her. She’s a friend of my grandma’s. She’s the best lady. She helped Joe so much.”
“He said something about that the other day.”
“Yeah, she stepped up for him big-time.” Julie eyed Cara. “Are you and my brother, like, a thing?”
“No, no. He’s helping me and my sisters with a big construction project.”
“The theater.” Cara could see Julie putting it all together in her head. “The old Sugarhouse. He’s been talking about it all week. So you’re that Cara.”
Before Cara could ask what that meant, Joe was back and distributing drinks.
“I see a couple of girls from my high school down at the end of the bar.” Julie stood. “I think I’ll go say hi. Thanks for the beer, Joe. And Cara, thanks for the talk and the advice.” She leaned close to Cara and whispered, “I think my brother likes you. He’s a ginormous pain in my ass but he’s the best guy who ever lived. If he’s wasting his time, tell him flat-out.” Julie smiled and went off in search of her friends.
“What was that all about?” Joe moved his chair a little closer to Cara’s and sat.
“Oh, just some friendly advice from one cheatee to another.”
“Cheatee?”
“One who has been cheated on, as opposed to one who cheats, he—or she—being the cheater,” Cara explained.
“Some guy cheated on you?”
Cara nodded. “Big-time.”
“Oh, come on. No man is that stupid.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
He muttered something under his breath that sounded like “Fool.” Aloud, he asked, “You moved on yet?”
“Let’s say I’m moving on.” She picked at the label on the beer bottle. “I think by the wedding I’ll be fine.”
“What wedding?”
“His.”
“Ouch. I hope that’s soon.”
“A few weeks. Have you ever been in a situation like that? Had your heart broken?”
“Are you kidding? I’m thirty-five. A man would have to be a monk to live that long and not have had his heart broken a couple of times.”
“That’s pretty much what I told your sister. It happens to everyone.”
“Well, I’m sorry it happened to you. I hope you hadn’t been in too deep.”
“I was married to him. My divorce was final two months ago.”
Joe’s jaw dropped slightly.
“Hey, it happens.” She shrugged and smiled as if to make light of it.
“He must’ve been one supreme asshole. I can’t imagine any man walking away from you.”
“He told me she was his ‘soul mate.’ ”
“You know, I hear that expression a lot but I have no idea what it means,” Joe said.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t think I do, either.” Cara thought for a moment. “Barney said that my father told her that he and my mom were soul mates. It does sound romantic.”
“Nice for your folks, I guess, but again, I don’t have a clue.”
Cara laughed and Joe held out his hand. “How ’bout we take our unromantic selves out onto the dance floor? Nothing like slow-dancing to a country song in your favorite bar to put a smile on your face.”
“I don’t think so. You’re my contractor. I’m pretty sure there’s a no-fraternization clause in the contract we’re having drawn up.”
“Yeah, well, it hasn’t been signed yet.” He stood. “Come on. It’s just a dance. What could it hurt?”
“I heard you have two left feet.”
“Not from anyone around here.” Joe pulled Cara from her chair. “How can you resist a good country tune?”
“Yeah, the lyrics are always so heartfelt. ‘I crashed my truck. My dog died. My man ran off with a girl from the car wash and I got the blues,’ ” Cara sang as they walked to the small dance floor.
The Last Chance Matinee Page 17