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Our server came back, bringing plates full of buttery, herbaceous food. My mouth watered before I even unrolled my silverware.
As we began eating, Hen said, “My grandma and grandpa had the best marriage ever. They were so close, and I know she just wants me to find something like that. But every time she brings someone by...” She shook her head and continued swirling spaghetti around her fork.
“What?” I asked.
She let out a heavy breath, setting her fork down. “I can see the look in their eyes when they realize who I am.” She swallowed hard, looking down at the table again to hide the moisture shining in her eyes.
It took all I had not to get up and walk to Deshawn’s table, just across the room, and shake him. What was wrong with these guys that they couldn’t see what was right in front of them?
Without thinking, I reached across the table, covered her hand with mine, a strange sense of protection rushing through me. Maybe it was because my sister was full-figured, maybe it was the wine, but I needed her to know she deserved better.
“Do me a favor?” I asked.
She tilted her head in question.
“Don't let those guys make you feel bad about yourself.” Her eyes flickered toward our joined hands and then toward me.
She nodded, and it took all I had to pull my hand away.
7
Henrietta
Confession: I’m not used to accepting help.
The Waldo’sDiner sign appeared in my windshield, and relief swept through me as I pulled into a spot next to Birdie’s car. I needed to talk to my friends, to get their help sorting through the jumbled mess of my thoughts. The run-in with Deshawn the other day and what Tyler had said to me had my mind spinning the rest of the night and into the day. Maybe it was just my lack of any male interaction for the last few years, but I could have sworn I saw something in his eyes...
Shaking off the thought, I turned off my car and walked into the diner. Chester wasn't in yet, but Mara and Birdie both sat at our usual booth. When they saw me, they got up to hug me, and my favorite waitress, Betty, promptly put a mug of coffee in front of me.
“Extra cream, just like you like,” she said.
I grinned at her. “That's why you're the best.”
She smiled back. “I put a ticket in for the usual. Should be ready to go soon.”
“Thanks,” I replied.
Mara wasted no time getting to the point. She leaned forward and said, “Please, tell us something salacious has happened with the Texan.”
My cheeks warmed, but I teased, “Are you looking for more material for your next romance novel?”
She batted her hand. “I'm already fifty percent done with the story. All I need is a good dark moment.”
Birdie laughed, “Of course, you have to torture the characters now.
“Right.” Mara nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. “They have to suffer a little before their happily ever after. But stop deflecting. He's had to have taken you up to his apartment by now. Right? Maybe flirted a little?”
My mouth fell open. “How did you know that?”
She had a smug grin as she shrugged. “It’s a talent. So what did he say?”
I bit my lip, hoping I didn’t sound too juvenile. “We went to dinner together last night to celebrate his first day on the job. And he had me wait in his apartment while he showered.” At the excited look in Mara’s eyes, I added, “Alone.”
She pouted, and Birdie said, “You can learn a lot about a guy from his apartment.”
“He hasn’t been there long enough to have any skeletons in the closet, but he did have an interesting selection of books. He says that he wants to open a senior living apartment in his hometown someday.
Birdie seemed impressed. “That's admirable.”