Page 27 of Love Like This

“Now you’re just tossin’ flattery. So very nice to meet you,Hadley. What can I send over for you two from the bar?”

Spencer gestured to Hadley to order first. “I’ll take a glass ofthe house white.”

Mabel nodded.

“Old Fashioned for me,” Spencer said. “Extra cherry tossed in, ifyou don’t mind.”

“As usual,” Mabel said, with a wink. “I’ll send Ted over with thedrinks and a snack on the house. You two enjoy yourself. We got the Miller Trioup next and Fred’s on the keys.”

“Then we arrived at the right time,” Spencer said. “Thanks,Mabel.”

“You must come here a lot,” Hadley said, once they were alone.

“Once in a while. It’s a nice place to escape to. Clear my head,have a drink, and listen to some good music. I can still sketch in the lowlight, and the music undoes the world for me. Just don’t know much about it isall, so don’t expect me to expound on it.”

“Well, you know that you enjoy it. That’s enough.”

They stared at each other for a weighted moment. Nothing couldhave made Hadley look away. Spencer, she was beginning to understand, was ableto cast a spell. One that she didn’t mind at all.

“You make a valid point. I think I just like chasing the melody.With jazz, you never know where it’s going to go.”

“Reminds me of real life.”

Spencer pointed at her. “I get that.” Another pause. “We shouldget to work.”

“Yes,” Hadley said, her focus still on Spencer, who had the mostexpressive eyes and perfect mouth. Her eyebrows had been delicately sculpted,Hadley decided. The results were subtle but effective, as was her hint of roselipstick. Enough to make a difference but never stealing the show. SpencerAdair was all balanced style and certainty wrapped up together. Two qualitiesHadley admired very much. Neither one of them had moved. “We’re not working,” shesaid, finally, leaning back in her leather club chair.

“We’re not.” Spencer blinked, dipped her head, and smiled. “ButI’m glad we’re doing this.”

“And what is this, exactly?” Hadley asked, still on uneven footingand searching for a way to right herself. She could fly by the seat of herpants in a lot of circumstances. This wasn’t one of them.

“Youcalled it a date. I’m just following your lead.”

“I’m not to be relied upon for diagnostics,” Hadley said. “There’sa top half of a groundhog costume on a mannequin in my closet, and I’m not evenmaking that up.”

Spencer nearly spat her water back into the glass. “That is anentirely random statement. And why the display? Fan of the groundhog?”

“A fan of anything celebratory. I head up a theme night each monthfor my friends and neighbors. You probably think that’s lame, but that’s whoyou’re dealing with. I need you to know now. Someone who likes frivolousparties, and anything warm and fuzzy. Is that someone you’d want to date?”Hadley blinked, awaiting Spencer’s response.

Spencer sat taller. “Well, this is getting interesting. Are youtrying to talk me out of it?”

“I don’t know,” Hadley said. It was a truthful answer. “I alsotend to believe whatever people tell me. That might make me naïve, but I liketo think it’s my attempt to see the good in everyone. I don’t think that’s abad thing, either. I’m keeping it.”

“It’s not a bad thing,” Spencer said, intrigued. “But it’s helpfulthat you’re laying out all your quirks so early.” She seemed to make adecision. “I can’t stand roller coasters. They’re impractical.”

Hadley nodded, and reciprocated. “I make up songs about myfriends’ pets. They don’t always rhyme and I’m fine with that. It’s about theeffort you put in.”

“I’m a fantastic soccer player, but can’t stand running. Theinternal conflict is rough.”

“I’m not so great atMs.Pac-Man. Or any video game, for that matter.”

Spencer squinted. “I burn Rice-A-Roni. Every. Damn. Time. Evenwhen I have the best of intentions. San Francisco must detest me and has sent itstreat to sabotage my kitchen.”

“I adore Barry Manilow in any possible incarnation. I will fightfor him.” Hadley placed a hand on her heart. “‘Mandy’ makes me cry. She gavewithout taking.”

“I don’t cry often, but when I do, it’s because I’m deeply affected.And it’s not pretty either. I ugly cry for the record books.”

“I love to roller-skate even though I’m an adult. Once in a whileI’ll do so in the courtyard of my apartment complex. My neighbor, Stephanie,calls me Starlight Express and rolls her eyes in disgust. She hates most thingsand people.”

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