Page 25 of Tequila Tuesdays

I turned to walk out, and Gary stood up to follow me. “I’ll drive. Come over a few minutes before noon.”

She looked down at Gary. “Have you fed him already?”

I stopped short, then mentally sighed. “Yeah, he ate after we got back from our hike this morning.”

She hadn’t fed Gary in almost two years, and he’d lived with me full-time not long after she brought him home from the animal shelter.

One day Ava had decided she wanted a pet. So she went to the shelter and picked one out. When she first brought him home, I noticed she didn’t take him on walks or play with him.

But when I saw that his water bowl was dry on more than one occasion and he was losing weight, I’d stepped in and re-homed him––to my house. It had taken Ava three days to realize he was missing.

Ava nodded jerkily. I guess her morning meditation session hadn’t calmed or centered her all that much after all.

I wasn’t going to have this argument with her again for the millionth time, so I walked out, and Gary followed me. Ava came over a little before noon, and we drove over to the restaurant in near silence.

Willa and Fran’s Cafe was located in an orange building in the middle of Palm Canyon Drive. They had an extensive brunch menu, but their Sunday buffet was the draw.

When Ava and I got there, Jonathan and Ramone were already seated at the front of the table. Laurel and Sebastian, as well as Martina, were just sitting down. I said hello to everyone and gave Laurel a long hug. The bruises on her neck were finally almost gone, thank God.

Damien and Zeke sat at the other end of the table. Grace and Sheila hadn’t made it yet.

I patted Jonathan’s shoulder. “Happy birthday, counselor.” I slipped him a birthday card with a gift certificate to a men’s boutique that sold the bright aloha short-sleeved print shirts he liked to wear.

“Thanks, Harley.” He pulled out the card and noticed the gift certificate. “You didn’t need to do that, but I’m glad you did. This is one of the few places I like to shop.”

“Let’s see what you got.” Ramone leaned over and noticed the name on the gift certificate. “This is what makes you an exceptional attorney.” He tipped his mimosa at me. “You pay attention to the details.”

I smiled. “I texted you to find out his favorite store.”

“See? Details.”

Laughing, I gave Ramone a one-armed hug, then shuffled down the table to introduce Ava to anyone who hadn’t met her. Zeke and Damien were last.

“This is Ava, my mother.” I turned to my mom. “And these two are Damien and Zeke. They’re friends and business partners with Sebastian.”

Damien and Zeke stood up and shook Ava’s hand. I started edging back up the table to sit further away from Damien, but Ava plopped herself down in front of them and set her purse on the table. I reluctantly sat down next to her.

Damien smiled, clearly knowing I didn’t particularly want to sit by him. He’d probably ask me to apologize, or start asking me personal questions again.

“So,” I said awkwardly.

Damien’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “So,” he repeated. He had a light scruff, and his hair was a little damp. He looked good, and I had to work to keep from staring.

Grace and Sheila walked in just then and sat down next to us.

“You still up for our afternoon tee time, Ava?” Grace asked as she settled in her seat.

Ava nodded. “Of course. Sheila, are you coming today?”

“No. You two ladies have fun without me.”

Grace leaned around my mother. “You coming, Har?”

“No, but thanks for inviting me.”

Damien leaned back in his chair and looked at me. “Do you golf?”

Grace nodded. “Yes, she does. Ava told me she wanted Harley to play golf instead of volleyball in high school.” Grace had no idea about the can of worms she’d just opened.

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