Page 112 of Heating Up (Nugget)
“He jogged down the street for a second to give one of your neighbors a bid on a new kitchen.”
“Which neighbor?” She wasn’t tight with any of them but was curious.
“The Hatchers.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know them that well. I think he’s an engineer for Caltrans.”
Her phone rang and her heart jumped, hoping it was Aidan. She quickly checked the display and tried not to act disappointed.
“It’s your wife.” She showed the phone to Colin and answered, “Hi.”
“Want to meet us for happy hour?”
“Uh, sure.” Better to kill time at the Ponderosa than wait for Aidan to walk through the door. Plus, she had friends. Friends. That was a novelty Dana didn’t want to screw up. “Should I meet you there now? And would you like me to invite your husband? We’re at my old house, talking construction.”
“Nah, just us girls. Hurry on over.”
She put her phone away and asked Colin, “Did you get all that?”
“I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it had something to do with you meeting her and Darla for happy hour.”
“Yep.”
“You better get going.” He chuckled, and she watched his face turn gooey. “Tell her I’ll see her at home.”
Seeing how much Colin adored his wife only added salt to the wound. A glutton for punishment, she got in her car and headed back to the square via the street where the firehouse was. Aidan’s truck was still there, so she kept on going. At the square she found a parking space in front of the Ponderosa. Inside, Jerry Lee Lewis’s “I’m on Fire” blared. She’d heard from Carol that ever since the arsons, Tater had snuck a sampling of fire songs onto the jukebox and whenever the mood struck him played one or two.
Harlee and Darla waved from the back of the dining room. They had a pitcher of margaritas, three glasses, and a plate of fully loaded nachos waiting. For a second, Dana was tempted to call Gia, who could use the camaraderie right now. But Harlee was a reporter and Darla was related to Owen, the biggest mouth in the Sierra Nevada, so Dana quickly scrubbed the idea. Someday soon, though, she hoped they could all be friends.
“Hi.” She grabbed a chair, and Harlee didn’t waste any time pouring her a sugar-rimmed glass full of strawberry margarita.
“Potato skins are on the way,” Harlee said.
“Perfect.” Dana tried to sound enthusiastic, but even though she’d skipped lunch showing Gia properties all day, she couldn’t eat a bite. Not knowing Aidan was going to choose Sue over her.
“I might get a burger, even though I’m supposed to be on a diet.” Darla toyed with the menu.
Harlee shook her head. “You don’t need to be on a diet.”
“I do if I want to fit into my mother’s wedding dress.”
Dana gasped. “Are you and Wyatt getting married?”
The hairstylist held out her left hand and waved her ring finger in the air. Dana grabbed for it and held a honking diamond ring under the light.
“Holy cow. Congratulations.” Now Dana truly felt sick to her stomach. She certainly didn’t begrudge Darla her happily ever after, but when was Dana going to get hers?
“Thank you, although you’re not supposed to say that.”
“Congratulations? Why not?” Dana asked.
Darla lifted her shoulders. “I read it in a bridal magazine. It’s kind of an insult, like,congratulations, you finally snagged a groom.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Stupid, right?” Harlee laughed.
“When is the wedding and where are you planning to have it?” Dana asked, wanting so much to sound excited. Because really she was. Only the timing was bad.
