Page 59 of Mr. Perfect

“I could use a milkshake,” Felix said.

He held Betty in one arm while assisting Marla into the passenger seat with the other.

“It’s so tall,” she said. “Lord, I feel like I can see all the way to South Carolina from up here.”

“It was an adjustment from the Fusion.”

Felix backed out of the driveway and said, “Which parlor?”

“Clem’s. I want ice cream made with natural ingredients on site, and none of the crap that’s pumped full of chemicals and hormones. No wonder everybody is getting cancer.”

Felix drove five blocks to Clem’s. He settled Marla and Betty at a table in the shade before going inside. He ordered two scoops of mint chocolate chip for Marla, an order of whipped cream for Betty, and a mojito milkshake for himself.

“Does it come with real rum?” he asked.

Clem laughed heartily. “I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for rum extract.”

His ladies were excited to see him when he returned.

“Miss Thing,” Marla playfully admonished when Betty got whipped cream all over her face. “You’re making a right mess of yourself. Felix won’t want you in his pretty car, and I’m in no condition to walk home these days.”

Felix covered her hand. “I’m not worried about it.”

“Shh. Betty still needs to mind her manners.”

“Are you giving cancer hell?” Felix asked.

Marla chuckled. “You know it.” She leaned into him. “Thank you for the ice cream.”

“Thank you for the peach cobbler.”

Marla batted her eyelashes. “Come on and tell Mama. Was it the best you’ve ever had?”

“Yes,” Felix replied honestly.

“I’ll be happy to share the recipe with you,” Marla said. “I like the idea of people using them after I’m gone.”

Felix sighed. “I’m helpless in the kitchen.”

“Only because it’s not important to you,” Marla countered. “What about a special fella who excels at cooking or baking?”

Felix thought about the dinner Jude had brought over Tuesday night. He’d been eating the delicious leftovers for days and still hadn’t tired of them.

“Mmmhmm,” Marla said. “There is. I recognize that face.”

“It’s complicated.”

Marla threw her head back and laughed, the sound deep and rich. “Isn’t that always the situation when a man is involved?”

“Touché.”

“Is there hope for you and your complicated man?”

Felix quietly pondered her question, which reminded him of the what-if game he’d been playing the past few days.

What if he could believe Jude was telling the truth about Cooper?

What if Felix could trust Jude?