by Ellie Hall
Dad gives me an astute look, and I swear he can read my mind. “Maybe it’s about time that you and Gavin buried the hatchet.”
“Not in this lifetime,” I harrumph.
A sly smile slides over Dad’s lips.
“What?” I demand.
“You’re still carrying a torch for him.”
My face flames. “Am not!” I nearly shout. Geez. Can I be any more transparent? I really need to develop a better poker face.
Mom lights up like a Mason jar filled with lightning bugs. “We’ll need to get you a dress, shoes, and a swimsuit.”
“I’m not sure how great I’ll look in a swimsuit right now.”
Mom studies me with a critical eye. “There are a few tricks of the trade that we can employ. Maybe some good shapers and butt-lifting tape for the swimsuit.”
Dad cringes. “I didn’t need to hear that.”
“This is gonna be so much fun!” Mom squeals, bringing her hands together.
“Yeah,” I say absently, my thoughts going back to the ten thousand dollars. For the first time since before the store in Manhattan closed, I feel a smidgen of hope. All I have to do is parade across the stage and smile and wave. I can do that … I think.
Dad lumbers to his feet. “Let’s go. I’m starving.” He looks at me. “You coming?”
“Nah. I think I’ll hang around here and munch on some lettuce.” So much for the ice cream and binging on Netflix. I guess I’ll have to go for a jog instead. There’s not much hope of me transforming my body in a few days. However, I can at least try, maybe lose a little water weight.
This earns me an amused smile from Dad. “It’s only for a few days, butter bug. Then we’ll celebrate with a big bowl of ice cream.”
“Amen,” I boom.
As Mom stands, I hold up a finger. “Oh, I almost forgot. That date with the podiatrist won’t work. Mom fixed me up on a blind date,” I explain when I see Dad’s puzzled expression.
He makes a face as he turns to Mom. “Sable, please tell me you didn’t.”
“She did,” I insert, giving Mom a snarky look. It’s nice to know that Dad’s on my side.
He rubs his neck. “We’ve talked about this. I know you mean well, hon, but you’ve got to give our girl some space. You’re smothering her.”
“I had to do something to get her mind off Gavin McAllister,” Mom mutters defensively.
Ouch. That stings. Yes, I’m a miserable sap. Why can’t I just get over Gavin and put the past in the past? “I’m capable of getting my own date.” I thrust out my chin. “In fact, I have a date for tomorrow night.”
Mom looks suspicious. “You do?”
“Yep.”
“With who?” she asks.
This is gonna be good. “With McKenzie Holder,” I announce grandly.
The stricken look on Mom’s face is comical. “Are you talking about Mac Holder, the meat counter guy at the Piggly Wiggly?”
It’s all I can do to contain my smile. “Yep. He’s the one.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Mom hisses. “That guy’s brains are scrambled. He ogles everything that wears a skirt. He was giving me the eye the other day.”
Dad looks at me with concern. “As much as I hate to admit it, your mother’s right. Mac Holder is a meathead.”
Mom swats Dad’s arm. “What do you mean ‘as much as you hate to admit it’? What’s wrong with agreeing with me?”
“Oh, hon,” he soothes as he slides an arm around her waist. “Don’t get all bent out of shape. I was saying that you were right.”
Mom thrusts out her chin, fire flashing in her eyes. “You’re darn tootin’.”
I rise to my feet, planting myself in a battle stance. “I’m going out with Mac Holder.” At this point, I don’t care how big of a Casanova or meathead Mac Holder is. This has become a matter of principle. Battle lines are being drawn here, and I’m not budging an inch. I shoot my mother a death-glare. “I’m a grown woman and can make my own decisions.”
“She’s right,” Dad cuts in before Mom can launch an argument. “We have to trust Albany’s judgment.”
“Thank you,” I snip.
Mom looks like she’s about to break into tears. “I just don’t understand,” she sighs.
“It’ll be alright.” Dad gives me a wink. “I’m sure Albany knows what she’s doing.”
Do I know what I’m doing? Going out with Mac Holder instead of the podiatrist had seemed like such a good idea earlier, but now I’m not so sure. At any rate, I’m committed, and there’s no backing out. I just hope the date won’t be a disaster.
Oh, well. It’s just one night. If it’s awkward, I’ll have to grin and bear it. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?
4
My face is up here, moron!
There’s not much worse than going to a pizza place the caliber of Life by the Slice when you’re watching your weight. The tender smell of baking dough tingles my senses. My stomach growls, hungry for all of the food that I shouldn’t be eating. I can imagine the satisfying sensation of sinking my teeth into a pepperoni pizza piled high with cheese. Maybe I’ll just have one teensy little slice with a salad. I’ll eat it slowly, savoring every bite.
The conversation between Mac and me has been stilted and awkward, except when I give Mac free rein to talk about his favorite subject—himself. Mac is into wrestling and monster truck shows. I now know more about Bounty Hunter, Scarlett Bandit, Nitro Menace, and all the other superstar monster trucks than I ever cared to learn. Mac fits the part of a monster truck driver with his bleach-spotted denim shirt that’s crudely cut out in the arms and the gold necklaces around his neck, one thick, the other thin. He has a diamond stud earring in one ear. Crikey! I feel underdressed in the jewelry department. All I’m wearing is a simple pair of gold hoop earrings. Mac must be super proud of his biceps because every few minutes, he casually flexes his arms when he moves as if to give me a show.
The worst part about this date is that Mac has a wandering eye. Every time a pretty girl walks by, he practically turns himself inside out to look at her. It’s humiliating. I clear my throat to pull his attention away from the leggy brunette wearing a pencil skirt, clopping noisily on her heels, and toting a toddler. Mom’s right. Mac doesn’t discriminate. He ogles women of all ages, regardless of their marital status. Before the brunette caught his attention, there was the fifty-something-year-old blonde and then the teenager bounding past with her short, bobbed haircut. I should’ve insisted on meeting Mac here, so I would have my car. Then, I could just leave and save myself the pain and suffering.
I clear my throat to get Mac’s attention. “What’re you thinking of getting?”
He looks at me strangely, like I’ve asked something ridiculous. “A pizza.” He reaches for his mug and takes a long swig of beer.
Watching him tickles my funny bone, causing me to snigger. I can’t help but think of a comedy skit by Jeff Foxworthy where he drawls in a redneck tone. “I want a beer, and I wanna see something naked.” Yep, that about sums up McKenzie Holder. “What kind of pizza?” I prompt. Do I really want to ride in a vehicle with Mac after he’s downed a few beers? I guess I could eat crow and call Dad to come and get me. No, that won’t work. He and Mom went to the country club to have dinner with Collette’s parents, Bart and Kitty Williams. It irks me that my mom is so tight with Collette’s mom. Where’s the loyalty?
Mac interrupts my thoughts with three words, “Pepperoni and sausage.” He speaks as though it’s the only pizza on the planet.
“Sounds good. I’ll have a slice of your pizza with a salad.”
A goofy grin topples over Mac’s lips. He leans forward, his eyes full of innuendo. “Hey, that was some blouse you were wearing yesterday.” He makes a point of looking at my chest.
I bristle. “Excuse me?” I will not sit here and endure this humiliation. “My face is up here.” Moron, I add silently.
He laughs easily as he pulls his eyes from my chest to
my face. “How do you like being home?”
“It’s okay.”
The server approaches the table and takes our order. Just as she’s sashaying away, it happens. Gavin strolls in through the door. My pulse increases as I swallow. I notice that he’s alone. No Collette. As he passes by our table, he stops, surprise blitzing over his features. “Hey.”
My response tumbles out of my mouth. “Hey.” The dichotomy between Gavin and Mac is staggering. Gavin is dressed simply in a navy t-shirt and jeans. He looks tasteful, yet casual. He’s the picture of class compared to Mac. My heart hurts. And all I can think is that I should be with Gavin.
Gavin looks at Mac and frowns before motioning with his finger. “What’s this?” Gavin’s disapproval broadcasts over his face as he looks at Mac. I can only imagine what Gavin must be thinking—that I’ve lost my mind or that I’m so desperate to go on a date that I’m out with Mac. Both of those assertions would be correct. I was an idiot to go out with Mac Holder. Dad was right. The guy’s a meathead. We have absolutely nothing in common. I’d rather stuff pizza dough in my ears than listen to him drone on about wrestling or monster trucks.
Mac thrusts out his chest as he catches eyes with Gavin. “What does it look like, man? Me and my lady are out on a date.” He throws me a cavalier smile.
I want to crawl under the table. “I’m not your lady,” I sling back.
Mac’s grin widens. “That’ll soon be rectified once me and you get acquainted after dinner.” He makes a point of staring at my chest.
I feel like a grimy piece of meat. “That does it,” I hiss as I scoot back my chair and spring to my feet. “This date is over!” My face is burning like I’m standing two feet away from the sun.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Mac asks with a shocked expression. The moron doesn’t even have enough sense to realize what he did to offend me.
“I’m not your baby. And for the record, my face is up here!” I point to my face. “Not down here,” I add, motioning to my chest.
I grab my purse and stalk out of the restaurant. I have no idea how I’ll get home, but I’d rather figure that out than spend another minute with Mac Holder. The cool air feels good against my hot cheeks. Tears well in my eyes, but I blink them back. I steel my jaw, refusing to let myself cry. I guess I’ll have to call Dad and interrupt his and Mom’s dinner. They’ll love that. I march down the sidewalk with the intent to get as far away from Mac Holder as I can.
“Albany!”
I pause, recognizing the voice. Everything in me wants to turn around, but what good will it do? Gavin is engaged to marry another woman. Not just any woman, but my childhood nemesis. I shake my head and keep walking.
“Hold up,” Gavin says as he catches hold of my arm.
I stop, turning to face him. “What do you want?” I hurl through gritted teeth.
He holds up a hand. “Take it easy.” He juts his thumb back toward the restaurant. “What was that about? Were you actually on a date with Mac?”
The incredulousness of his voice stomps on my last nerve. “Yes, I was,” I state with all the confidence I can muster. “Is that a crime?”
Amusement swirls in Gavin’s eyes. “Yes,” he chuckled. “No woman should be put through that, especially not you.”
What does he mean by that? I search his eyes. They’re so green that I could get lost in the depths of them.
“How are you getting home?”
I shrug. “Walking, I guess.” It’s five miles from home. It’ll take me a while, but I’ll get there. I’d rather walk home than pull Dad away from his dinner. Mom would love nothing more than to rub it in my face that the date was a disaster. I don’t think I’ll give her the pleasure.
A lopsided smile tugs at his lips, making him look adorable. “In those shoes?”
“I can take them off and go barefoot. I’m a country girl.”
He chuckles. “I knew she was in there somewhere. Let me give you a ride.”
He has no idea how tempting it is to take him up on his offer. Do I dare? I straighten my spine, my eyes narrowing. “Where’s Collette?”
“I’m not sure,” he answers casually. “So, what will it be? Walking home barefoot or accepting a ride from an old friend?”
My insides stiffen. “Is that what we are? Old friends?”
His gaze locks with mine. “That and much more,” he murmurs.
Ribbons of heat ripple through my stomach. It’s sickening how attracted I am to Gavin. For me, it has always been him. I’m so painfully aware of that fact right now that it makes my head hurt. My eyes lock with his. Time seems to slow. I can feel my breath coming in uneven snatches, the blood pumping through my veins. There’s so much I want to tell Gavin, like how much I still care. I’ve always cared. That’s why I poured myself into my job so that I could fill the hole in my heart. I want to know why Gavin gave up on us. I want to know how he could marry Collette. How can he not care about me the way I do about him? I guess that’s the painful aspect of love—the heart chooses who it wants, regardless of the circumstance.
I step back and shake my head. “Thanks for the offer,” I say dully, “but I’m better off just walking home.” I turn and walk away, my heeled sandals clipping out a fast cadence against the sidewalk. A very large part of me hopes that he’ll call out to me or chase after me, but he doesn’t. It’s probably a good thing because if he did come after me, I don’t know that I would have the strength to turn him away.
I walk past the shops on Main Street. It’s not until I turn onto a side street that I allow the tears to fall. They flow freely down my face, and I don’t bother wiping them away. It doesn’t take long for my sandals to start digging into my feet, so I take them off and carry them in one hand. I’m sure I’m a spectacle. I don’t have to look at the passing cars to know that everyone is staring. Before long, the sidewalk will end, and I’ll be forced to walk along the side of the road. For all of my bravado about being a country girl, the soles of my feet are tender. I don’t relish walking along the gravel edge of the road. I guess I’ll have to veer off the shoulder and onto the grass.
I jerk when a truck pulls alongside me. My heart skips a beat, thinking it’s Gavin, but it’s Mac. He rolls his window down, propping his elbow out. “This is crazy. Get in the truck.”
“No thanks.” I keep my gaze fixed into the distance.
“Come on, babe. Don’t be like that. I was just playing around at the pizza joint.”
I whirl around, my temper getting the best of me. “I’d rather face down a pack of wild dogs than get in the truck with you,” I seethe. “You’re a womanizing moron.”
“Suit yourself,” he sneers as he squeals off.
“Good riddance,” I mutter.
I walk a few more paces before another truck pulls up beside me. What is it with this town and all the trucks? I turn, ready to tell the person that I don’t need a ride, when I realize it’s Gavin. My heart hammers in my chest.
He rolls down the window, a smile touching his lips. “Here’s the way I see it. No self-respecting gentleman can turn his back on a woman walking home barefoot. So, either you let me give you a ride home, or I’ll just follow along beside you in the truck. Your decision.”
I hope that the wind has dried my tears so that Gavin won’t realize I’ve been crying. “What’s your endgame here?”
He frowns. “What do you mean?”
“You broke up with me, Gavin.” My voice hitches as I continue. “You’re engaged to Collette. Why are you suddenly so concerned about me?”
“I’ve always been concerned about you.”
I grunt. “Well, you have a funny way of showing it.”
A horn blares. I look behind Gavin and realize that vehicles are piling up behind him. “You’re blocking traffic. You need to go on.” How could I have ever thought that I could start a business and be in such close proximity to Gavin without being with him? It wouldn’t work. It’s too painful. I need to get my life figured out so that I can move
on to other adventures, far away from Comfort, Alabama, and far away from Gavin.
He grits his jaw in determination. “I will … as soon as you get in the truck.” His expression turns pleading. “Please.”
More horns blast. “Get out of the road,” a man yells.
“Come on,” Gavin urges.
I glance back at the vehicles. “Fine,” I grumble as I climb into the truck.
5
I’m not the kiss-and-run type
A dense silence fills the space between us until Gavin chuckles.
“What?” I demand, shifting to face him. My eyes trace the firm line of his jaw. Everything about Gavin is masculine. While Gavin never mentioned any desire to own a hardware store when we dated, I’m not surprised at his choice of a profession. Gavin always liked to tinker with cars and build things.
“I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that you went out with Mac Holder.”
“You and me both,” I say dryly.
A chortle issues from his throat. “That was some get-up that he was wearing. I’m not sure if he was auditioning to be a gangbanger or if he was peddling jewelry.”