Page 31 of Jam and Jingle Bells
My head snapped up and I waved my hands. “Oh, I’m not unhappy, but it has been bothering me.”
She made raspberries with her lips. “Honey, you’ve been unhappy for at least a year. You’re incredibly good at hiding it, but those of us who know you well, we know. You’re looking for more in life and up until a few months ago, you weren’t finding it here. Maybe that’s changed now, but I think you owe it to yourself to see where it could go with Ellis and to get those answers from your mom. You’ll never be truly happy until you put them both to bed, or in this case, take the one to bed.”
I gasped loudly in the quiet diner. “Ivy Lund!”
She laid over the table giggling her fool head off and I remembered why I loved her so much. She always knew how to get to the heart of the matter and the heart of it was, mine was definitely already part of the equation.
I glanced up to the window and a man stood in it, a shy smile on his face and his hands in his pockets. I returned the smile and motioned with my hand for him to come in.
I stood and patted Ivy on the back. “No time like the present.”
Chapter Nine
I eyed the man who walked next to me, his arm around my waist protectively in the dark night. The last time I saw him was Saturday and since this was Wednesday, it was a nice surprise. We’d texted a few times, but didn’t make any solid plans to go out again. I wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t want to, or he just didn’t have time.
“I want to,” he said, shoulder bumping me gently.
“Want to what?” I asked, uneasy laughter filling the air around us.Could he read minds now?
“Go out with you again,” he answered.
I almost tripped on my own feet. “Did I say that out loud?
He chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all, but you’re an easy read.”
I shoulder bumped him back. “Well, in that case, so do I. If I hadn’t been busy tonight, I probably would have asked you to get tacos.”
“Tacos? It’s Wednesday,” he teased.
“I know, but I love tacos any day of the week.”
He laughed and pointed straight ahead at a door. “I heard they have great tacos any night of the week.”
“Oh, yes! I love Fire Island Bar and Grill! Are you hungry? It’s late, but they serve late.”
He rubbed his flat belly. “I’m all in for tacos!”
He yanked the door open and ushered me in, the warmth of the bar bringing the feeling back to my cheeks. “Wow, it’s dead in here.” I stuffed my gloves in my coat pocket and followed him to a table in the shadows. “Like really dead.”
“I suppose Wednesday nights aren’t big nights with church, and of course, not being Taco Tuesday.”
I punched him lightly on the shoulder and grabbed a menu. “You’re a real comedian tonight. You must have had a good day.”
He nodded once. “It was good. The insurance told me they would cover the damage to the window, and I got the security system up and running. It makes me feel much better about the situation.”
I rubbed his shoulder encouragingly and smiled. “Good. I’m glad. You deserve lots of good luck. I heard from a little bird that you’re helping out others in the community. Karma should have your back.”
He raised a brow. “Oh, really now. Who told you I’m helping out others in the community?”
I huffed and looked at him under my eyebrows as answer.
“Of course, Audrey,” he laughed, his head shaking. “I don’t know what she said, but it’s probably not true.”
“No, it’s true,” I said immediately, “I got confirmation from Mr. Violet.”
He leaned forward onto the table and held my gaze. “Seriously, anyone would do it if they had the skills. He needs help rehabbing and yoga is a very peaceful meditative exercise. He gets exercise for his body and his mind.”
“Something he desperately needs living with Audrey,” I said deadpan.
