Page 18 of A Package Deal

“Hello. I’m fine, thanks for asking. And how are you?” she asked with saccharin sweetness, closing the office door behind her.

“Victorious, now that you’ve answered my call.” He sounded irritated.

“Yeah, sorry about that. It’s been…”

“Busy?” It was always busy, and she didn’t want to fall back on that old standard.Woman-up, she told herself. If she was giving them a second chance, she needed to be honest with him and herself.

“No, not busy. I was going to say confusing and unnerving. And I’m nervous.”

“I’m nervous, too.” Nelie smiled at his quiet admission, feeling better. She twirled the pencil between her fingers, missing her old bedroom princess phone with the long, curling cord, the one she could wrap around her finger while she and friends talked for hours. The movement settled her.

“What about Saturday?” she asked, breaking their silence.

“The auction date.” Nelie’s heart stalled. She was excited about spending time alone with him, but not in a fancy restaurant followed by a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert, or at least that’s what Ava had told her his plan was. Nelie wasn’t afancyrestaurantgirl. She didn’t need white tablecloths, subdued lighting, and overattentive servers. Nelie wasn’t averse to excellent food, but she didn’t want to get dressed up to enjoy it. Plus, her blisters hadn’t healed from the auction. And while she didn’t mind classical music, an entire concert might lull her to sleep.

“Fine dining and a concert, right?” Nelie forced enthusiasm into her voice. She needed to be gracious. Chet was going to a lot of effort to give them a nice evening.

“If that’s what you want, or we could do something else.”

“Yes, please,” she blurted, and he chuckled.

“Which one? The original plan or something different?”

“Something else but surprise me.”

“You don’t strike me as someone who likes surprises.”

“I don’t, but I haven’t had a good surprise in so long, I’ve forgotten what it’s like.”

“No pressure then,” he said.

“None at all. Just don’t mess it up,” she teased.

“But Saturday works? Afternoon and evening?” Nelie pulled up the work schedule. She was scheduled to work, but the list of employees who owed her was longer than her arm. She’d find someone to cover for her. Other than last weekend’s auction, she had done nothing for herself in a long time. Nelie needed this date. She deserved it, and most importantly, she wanted it.

“Yes,” Nelie said over the rising voices in the kitchen. Her nose twitched as she walked toward the door.

“Great. I’ll text you the details. Oh, and Ava wanted me to tell you—”

“Crap on a cracker! The fryer’s smoking!” Nelie disconnected, shoving her phone in her pocket as she grabbed the fire extinguisher and rushed toward the black smoke.

“ThisiswhyIcan’t have nice things,” Nelie said, later that evening as she stabbed at the ice cubes in her root beer.

“I wouldn’t call a fifteen-year-old fryer a nice thing. She was well past her prime and it took extra training for people to learn her eccentricities. She was on her last legs,” Eric said. “May she rest in peace.” He clinked his glass against hers.

“That’s not it.”

“I’m not just a pretty face, you know? Spill it, Nelie. Tell me what’s made your go-to attitude go MIA.”

“Chet was passing along a message from Ava, and I had to hang-up. Every time I even remotely get a hint at a personal life, the universe steps in and squashes it.”

“Maybe it’s testing you. To see if you really want it?” Nelie shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “Do you?” he asked.

“Maybe?” Nelie wanted it, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up. Chet had burned her before.

“Well, if you don’t believe it, the universe won’t either.”

“Okay, Dr. Phil. Top off my glass before I go looking for a good used fryer. Until we get one, it’s going to be tater tots or baked potatoes, and I don’t think either will be hits.”

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