Page 89 of Pity Play

Heidi Klum’s look-alike eyes me up and down with interest before asking, “May I get your name?”

“It’s Lorelai,” I tell her. “Lorelai Riley. I’m from Elk Lake, Wisconsin.”

She looks like I just told her that my name was Ed McMahon and she just won the Publishers Clearing House. “Really? Well, Lorelai, you’re in luck. Luke just came home from Elk Lake last night.”

Wait, what? He was in Elk Lake last night and he didn’t let me know?Iwas in Elk Lake last night. I suddenly have the urge to run away. The only reason I don’t is because I’d probably wind up tripping over my own feet and face planting on the ground, maybe chipping my front teeth for kicks.

After she walks away, Chip picks up the wine menu and says, “This is exciting!”

Exciting like meeting a ninja in a dark alley.“Yes, so lucky that Luke is here.” I don’t sound the least bit delighted. With any luck, Luke will be so busy that we’ll be gone before he can come out.

But as my luck would have it, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Turning my head slightly to the right, I watch the kitchen door swing open and Luke walk out. He makes his way to our table in record time, all the while wearing a very confused expression on his face. The first words out of his mouth are, “Lorelai, what are you doing here?”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

LUKE

I’ve thought about Lorelai a lot since I last saw her. I mean, a lot. I spent the last four days in Elk Lake—I had to pick up my car—and it was all I could do not to call her. I did find myself driving down her street once or twice. It was like my car had a mind of its own and I had no choice but to let it take me where it wanted to go.

I’m drawn by an undeniable force as I walk across the dining room at Capon. Stopping at her table, I realize Lorelai is even more beautiful than I remember her being. “Lorelai, what are you doing here?”

She looks up and stares at me like I’m a phantom. “Luke. Hello.”

“Hello.” I repeat, “What are you doing here?”

She shrugs nonchalantly before answering, “Eating, I hope.”

I don’t like the chill coming off her. Not one bit. “I mean, what are you doing in Chicago?”

“Oh, that.” She releases a nervous laugh. “I’m here with my friend Chip.”

For the first time I notice she’s not alone and I turn to her dinner partner.Chipis unexpected. He’s hands down the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen, which is alarming. “You’re on a date?”She’s on a date?

Lorelai takes a long sip of her water before answering me. In fact, she must set a world record for taking her time. She eventually says, “I’m helping Chip out.”

“By dating him?” I demand heatedly.

“By helping me design my home,” Chip interjects. Then he stands up, all eight feet of him—not really but he’s taller than I am. Putting his hand out, he says, “Chip Greenberg. I’m one of your biggest fans.”

Now this is a conundrum. I love happy customers, just not really good-looking ones eating with Lorelai. I tentatively shake his hand. “Luke Phillips. It’s nice to meet you.”Lies.

“My husband and I eat here at least twice a week,” he offers.

Husband? Yes! Chip is gay! Talk about good news. I’m suddenly quite happy to make his acquaintance. Even though no one asks me to join them, I still pull up a free chair and sit down. “So, Chip,” I say. “Tell me how you know Lorelai.”

“Our mutual friend, Trina Rockwell, introduced us.”

Lorelai doesn’t seem overly pleased that I’ve joined them. “How long are you in town for?” I ask her.

“I don’t know,” she says evasively. “I have some things to do here before I go back to Elk Lake.”

“So, you haven’t moved here?” I want to know.

“No.” She doesn’t offer anything else. Then she says, “I hear you’ve been in Elk Lake.” The accusation in her tone is clear. I was in Elk Lake, and I didn’t call her.

“I was,” I tell her. “I have some exciting news.”

She visibly rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t ask what my news is, so I volunteer, “I just bought Pop’s.” I wish I’d had a camera trained on her face when I said that. Her expression is priceless.

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