Page 42 of Afternoon Delight
I’m next door.
I was disappointed that neither my son nor my convenient flirt came to see me before closing, but I had enough work and steady customers to keep me from dwelling on being thrown over.
Also, I managed to pump Roddie for an inside view of Zak’s life while we drove home—not that I did it on purpose.
“What’d you do over there for two hours?”
“Nothing much. Zak’s office window looks out at the dog groomer’s around the corner. There was a lady who couldn’t get her dog into her car. Me and Zak were pissing ourselves watching her.” He giggled as he said it, making me smile.
“You should see if they have a dresser you like.” I could pick something up at a garage sale, but I felt like Twice Is Nice could use the business.
“I looked at one he needs to refinish. Everything he shows me, Zak is like, ‘Hey, did you ever see one of these? It’s from a million years ago, when blacksmiths were dentists. It’s made of lead so it rots your brain. It’s worth ninety dollars.’”
“Was Dale okay with you being there?” I trusted Zak would’ve kicked Roddie out if it had been an issue, but I suspected he actually enjoyed the company. It had to be hard, staying on guard around Dale all the time.
“He kept calling me Kyle. That’s the guy who helped us move the stereo.”
“Zara’s husband. I remember.”
“Zak said Dale probably won’t remember I’m not into girls and that I shouldn’t take it personally. I told him about Tyson and Bethany.”
“Did he say anything?”
“Gave me a root beer. Said he was dumped, too.”
“He told me about that.” I was glad he’d shown an ounce of sympathy, rather than being a dickhead like Joel.
“Are you two...?” Roddie didn’t finish.
“No.” Maybe in another life. “He’s got a lot going on and needs someone to talk to. I’m convenient. Why?” I put on my best high school queen bee intensity. “Did he say something about me? What was it? Do you think he likes me? Like, does he like me? Or like me like me?”
“If you don’t want me to live with you, just say so.” He looked out his side window, elbow resting on the ledge as he rubbed his knuckle against the grin he was trying to hide. “But if you liked him, I wouldn’t hate you for it.”
It was almost exactly what I’d said to my own mom, and I didn’t know how to take it.
“Thanks,” I said, wondering if she had felt as conflicted as I suddenly did.
Chapter 24
Meg
Zak didn’t come to work on Wednesday.
I got myself pretty agitated over it, convinced something had happened to Dale. I knew I was making a mountain out of a molehill. My anxiety was really more about Georgia. She was traveling to Vancouver today and checking into the hospital later this afternoon. They planned to run some final blood tests as prep for her surgery tomorrow, but I sent a quick text to Zak at lunch.
Everything okay?
Estate sale.
Now I felt like an insecure girlfriend.
Later that afternoon, I heard the truck beeping as it backed into the receiving bay. Next time, I’d remember to check for it before letting my imagination run wild.
Roddie showed up in time to help Zak unload and flashed me a smug twenty in the car on our way home.
I was glad he’d made some quick cash, but I was bummed not to have seen Zak. This time, I was the one who needed a distraction, especially after the text confirming Georgia was checked in and everything was set.
I didn’t sleep well. Luckily, Negasi dropped by first thing the next morning and instantly lifted my mood—though I didn’t recognize him right away. He wore a sparkly red cocktail dress that hugged a knockout figure. His eyes were done up in gold and blue shadow, his lips slick with glossy red.
