Page 69 of Shifting Sands

“C’mon,” he says finally, his voice warm as he leans back. “Let me introduce you to the chaos.”

The chaos, as it turns out, includes a bonfire the size of a Volkswagen, a cornhole tournament that’s being monitored more seriously than an Olympic event, and a man named Donnie Dale, who is grilling hot dogs shirtless while wearing a cowboy hat. I also meet Wade and Eden’s baby girl, Mina, and his teenage son, Dillon.

I get swept up quickly into the festivities.

Brew hands the bottle of wine I brought to Amiya, who gives me a look and nods approvingly.

“You’ve got good taste. Come on, Brew. Come open this baby for me.”

Brew

Ifollow Amiya back to the house, carrying the wine and the pie box. Eden and Audrey are in the kitchen, each holding a spoon and stirring something in a large bowl.

“Is the potato salad ready?” Amiya asks as she opens a drawer and grabs a wine opener.

“Almost,” Eden replies, mixing in a generous helping of mayonnaise.

Amiya hands the bottle opener to me, but I set it on the counter next to the wine and pie. Audrey catches my eye.

“Is something wrong?” she asks as I lean my elbows on the island in front of her.

“She bought me shoes. The same ones I wear at the bar.”

“You mean those beat-up sneakers that are held together with duct tape you keep in your office?” Audrey asks.

I nod. “They aren’t held together with duct tape.”

“Yet,” she mumbles.

“Why do you keep old sneakers?” Amiya asks.

I shrug. “Because they’re comfortable and I don’t want to spill beer on good shoes.”

“Makes sense,” Eden says.

“So Brandee bought you a new pair of identical sneakers?” Audrey asks.

“Yes. Do you know the last time a woman bought me shoes?”

“Um …”

“Never. A woman has never bought me shoes. Or dinner. Or anything for that matter,” I reply.

“Surely, a girlfriend or someone you’ve dated gave you a gift before,” Amiya says, looking at me.

“Yeah, what about your birthday? An anniversary?” Eden asks.

“A girlfriend did give me a silk tie for Valentine’s Day once,” I say.

“A tie? Really? A tie is something you buy your dad for Father’s Day, not your lover. There’s nothing sexy about a tie,” Eden comments.

“Well …” Amiya murmurs.

“Well, what?” Eden asks.

“Fifty Shades of Grey—I’m just saying,” Amiya replies.

“Oh, yeah,” Eden acknowledges, then looks at me. “Ties can be sexy in the right context.”

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