Page 9 of Pity Play

Pulling out of the driveway, I point the car in the direction of downtown. Most people I know are at work so there’s no sense in calling anyone. The good news is that my best friend from high school works at Rosemary’s on Main Street. Allie came home after her marriage ended. She also lives with her parents and is in thethroes of trying to figure out what she’s going to do next. She’s only been back for a couple of months so I’m sure it’s going to be awhile before she knows.

I park the car across the street from Elk Lake’s oldest and best bakery. Even though I just ate a delicious breakfast, I immediately start to salivate for a blueberry scone. The bell rings as I walk through the front door and I spot Teddy Helms, movie star extraordinaire and husband to Faith Helms, the owner of the bakery.

Teddy raises a hand in the air when he sees me. “Lorelai, good morning!”

“Hey, Teddy. How’s Faith? How are the twins?”

He smiles at my bringing up his favorite subject in the world. “They’re at toddler ballet.”

A smile spreads across my face. I remember hearing that Faith and Teddy were told they were going to have a boy and a girl, so they were surprised when they wound up with two daughters. “Are they even two yet?”

He shakes his head. “Not quite. I know what you’re thinking. What could they be learning in ballet class at that age?” I don’t bother to confirm that’s exactly what I’m thinking because he continues, “I’m pretty sure Faith takes them to show off the dance wear she’s bought for them. They’re the most adorable things you’ve ever seen.” His eyes twinkle like every father in love with his children.

“I’d love to see a picture sometime,” I tell him. I want a family someday, too, but at the rate I’m going, I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Elk Lake is not exactly overrun with eligible bachelors. Although, Teddy and Faith met right here in the bakery, so it’s not unheard of that love can be found in a small Wisconsin town.

Teddy pulls out his phone and hands it across the counter. “Keep swiping until you run out of pictures.”

I’m so enraptured by the images of Teddy and Faith’s family that I hear my friend before I see her. “If she does that, she’ll be here for a month.”

Looking up, I smile at Allie. She’s gorgeous as ever with herwavy brown hair and green eyes. Yet there’s a quality about her that makes her seem like a skittish cat, which is not something she had when she was younger.

My friend hasn’t gone into much detail regarding her ex, but I’ve gotten the impression he was not a nice man. I never met him because Allie and I lost touch during college. It wasn’t until she moved home that we resumed our friendship.

Teddy reaches for his phone. “I won’t bore you any more for now, but all you have to do is ask and I’ll show you the latest.” Smiling toward me and then Allie, he says, “Allie, I’m going to go meet Faith and the girls. Are you going to be okay here alone?”

She nods. “I’ll be fine until the lunch rush. Abigail will be coming in to help around eleven.”

I shake my head as Teddy walks out the front door. “Who would have ever thought we’d be talking to Teddy Helms like he was a normal guy?”

Allie laughs. “I know, right?”

“It gives me hope that some fabulous man will walk into town someday and sweep me off my feet.” Luke Phillips’ face immediately pops into my head. “Can you take a break?” I ask her. “I have something to tell you.”

Allie looks around at the empty bakery and replies, “No problem. Can I get you something to eat first?”

“I’d love a blueberry scone if you have any left.” While she goes to the counter to grab my order, I sit down at a nearby table.

Waving off the five I try to hand her, Allie places my scone in front of me. “What’s up?” she asks.

I inhale deeply before saying, “Luke Phillips.”

Her brow furrows slightly before recognition hits. “Your brother’s best friend from high school?”

“He’s back in Elk Lake.”

“Why?” she asks, sounding like coming home is the worst thing she can imagine. Although I’m sure that in her case, it kind of feels that way—like she’s going backward instead of moving forward.

“His dad fell off a roof.”

“That’s terrible! Is he okay?”

I tell my friend everything I know about Luke’s dad before sharing more interesting personal news. “He’s staying at my house.”

“Ex-squeeze me?” I giggle at her usage of our old middle school vernacular.

“Yup. He and his dad are on the outs, so he doesn’t want to stay with his parents. Noah asked if he could crash at our parents’ with me.”

Allie blushes when she hears my brother’s name. As much as I used to crush on Luke, she felt similarly about Noah. But instead of asking about him, she wants to know, “Is Luke still single?”

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