“You’re a lifesaver, Belle. I can’t thank you enough. Everything was absolutely delicious.”
‘I’m so glad. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.”
Jones picked up his wine glass, took a drink, then looked down at the red liquid before looking at me with a grimace.
“Shit, Belle, I didn’t even think … Were you okay with serving the drinks?”
I looked at his glass, surprised when I answered truthfully, “I honestly didn’t even think about it. I was so wrapped up in making sure everything was perfect for you and your guests, that having a drink didn’t even cross my mind.”
Of course, now that he mentioned it, I could taste the bitterness of the wine on my tongue as if I’d taken a sip.
“I’d better go,” I said quickly, grabbing my purse and adding sincerely. “Thanks for taking a chance on me.”
“Don’t mention it, Belle. Truly, you did me the favor. And, if you’d like, I can give your name and number to my co-workers, and let them know if they ever need to cater an event, they should give you a call.”
I felt a rush of pleasure at his offer.
“That would be great.” I started for the door, then remembered my earlier epiphany. “Hey, Jones, if you’re not busy next Friday night, my friend will be in town. Maybe we can drag Luke out and all go to dinner.”
“Sure, doll, anything for you,” he replied, then walked me the rest of the way to the door.
Now I’d just have to work up the courage to ask Luke out, I thought as I got into my car.
I pulled out and headed toward the ranch, all of the different ways I could approach Luke running through my head. I stressed myself out so bad, that by the time I pulled in to the ranch, I was a basket case.
“Hey,” Luke called, startling me as I walked up the dark path to find him sitting on the porch. Warmth ran through me when I realized that he must have been waiting up for me.
“Hi,” I replied, my voice catching as I took him in.
“Did everything go okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern as he rose to meet me.
“Oh, yeah, it was good. Really good. Great.” I let out a nervous laugh.
Jeez, I needed to get a grip.
“That’s great,” Luke said, reaching out to put a hand on my arm, as if he were trying to comfort me. “Is anything else wrong?”
“You want to go to dinner on Friday?” I blurted, then grimaced and added, “Not just us, I mean with Ginger and Jones, while she’s here. Not like a date, date, but a double thing… you know, dinner.”
Luke smiled slowly, his eye lighting, which only made me more nervous.
It should be illegal to be that handsome.
“I’d love to,” he replied simply, as he opened the door to let me inside. He followed behind, locking up and turning out the lights, then let me off the hook and said, “Goodnight, Belle.”
“Goodnight,” I said with a small smile. I walked to my room, heart pounding and stomach fluttering.
Once I was ready for bed, I settled in and stared up at the ceiling, unable to get Luke’s smiling face out of my head.
Chapter 30
It had felt like the longest week ever. Not that anything bad happened, it was just the waiting that made each day seem to last forever. I could not wait for Ginger to arrive, and if I was honest, my quasi-date with Luke.
We hadn’t mentioned the double date again, instead, I’d told Luke tales of our journey of fun each night after Matty went to bed, and he’d laughed at our escapades. Talking about it with him, make it almost seemed like a different life, like I was telling him made-up stories rather than recounting actual events.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried that Ginger wouldn’t like me as much now. I wasn’t as fun, or as crazy, as I was the last time she saw me, and I worried that without the drinking and hanging out in bars, our friendship wouldn’t be the same.
Luke assured me that I was still fun, and that Ginger and I were going to get along great, but I couldn’t deny the little twinge of fear I felt beneath the excitement as I waited for her down at the baggage claim.
As a crowd started to descend the escalators, I saw Ginger’s red hair and petite stature through the crowd. I wanted to jump up and down to see her better over the taller passengers, but I contained myself. Instead I began to weave through people, in her general direction, and finally there she was.
Still as pretty as a pixie, and wearing a grin as big as the state she was born in, she yelled out, “Belle!” Then we were in each other’s arms, hugging and laughing like loons in the middle of the airport.
“I’m so happy to see you! How was your flight?” I asked as we walked to the car.
Since she was only staying the weekend, Ginger hadn’t checked any bags, only bringing her carry-on.
“It was good,” she replied, linking her arm through mine. “I actually had a layover in Dallas, but it wasn’t long enough to see anyone.”
“How’s your mama doing?”
“Just as crazy as ever. I got her tickets to see Barbra Streisand for Christmas, and she about lost her mind.”
I laughed I imagined her mother’s face when she opened that gift.
“I’m sure she was beside herself.”
We loaded off and headed into the heart of the city.
“We’re going to meet Luke and his friend Jones for dinner in this place Jones likes by his work. He says they have a little bit of everything: steak, seafood, and great burgers, and it’s casual. Does that sound okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Cool. But first, I thought we’d go check out this outdoor market that I heard about. Vendors come in and sell their homemade crafts and jewelry. I thought it would be fun,” I said in a rush. “Unless you’re too tired from the trip…”
“Nope,” Ginger said with a grin. “I’m ready for all of it.”
We parked in an open lot, then took off on foot toward the market, catching up as we walked.
“So, what ended up happening with Bo?”
Ginger shrugged and said, “Nothing. I didn’t see him again before I left Dallas, and I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Have you tried contacting him?”
“No, what’s the point. He made his feelings pretty clear, and anyway, we’ve been over for a long time. I guess that was just the wake-up call that I needed … to accept the fact that we’re truly over.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You know what? It’s okay. I’m okay.” She smiled and pointed down and across the street. “Is that it?”
I looked at the beautifully painted brick structure and exclaimed, “Yes, I think so.”
We crossed at the light and joined the bustle of people entering the market.
“Oooh,” I cooed pointing to beautifully crafted baskets. “I love those.”
“Sweetgrass baskets,” Ginger read the sign aloud softly as we fingered the pretty baskets.
I chose one that I thought would look perfect on Luke’s island, maybe as a fruit basket, and we continued wandering down the aisle. There was handmade jewelry, leather products, pottery, photography, and anything else we could think of.
We ooed and aahed as we meandered, buying trinkets here and there.
“I can’t believe Luke ended up being the same guy from the strip club that night. What are the odds?” Ginger asked as she popped some candied almonds in her mouth.
“I think the universe has a sick sense of humor,” I joked.
Ginger looked at me out of the corner of her eye and countered, “Or maybe it’s fate.”
“Oh c’mon,” I said with a forced laugh, not wanting to betray the fact that her offhanded statement filled me with a terrifying sense of hope. “Fate? I think if anyone can attest to the fact that there is no fate, it’s the two of us.”
Ginger stopped and cocked her head, looking at me sadly.
“I believe there is someone out there that I’m fated to be with.”
“Bu
t you said you were still in love with Bo…”
Ginger’s lips tipped up and she replied sweetly, “I’ve decided that Bo was merely a bump in my road, and the guy that I’m supposed to be with is still out there.”
“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “You definitely deserve better than Bo. I’m sure your prince charming is looking for you right now.”
“And, just maybe, you’ve already met yours,” she replied coyly.
“I know I did,” I countered sadly, “But I lost him. Lightening doesn’t strike twice, Ginger.”
“Sure it does, sugar,” Ginger insisted, placing her hand gently on my arm.
But somehow, I thought that believing her was more dangerous than denying the possibility of falling in love again.
Chapter 31
We walked along the row of bars and restaurants until we found the one Jones had told us to meet him and Luke at. We’d had a great day of shopping, strolling the downtown area, and catching up after months apart. I was happy to say that Ginger was as fun and friendly as I’d remembered, and it felt like we hadn’t been separated from each other at all.
Friends like that were hard to come by, at least for me.
We entered the restaurant and I saw Luke striding toward us.
“Hey, I was just coming out to check and see if you were here. Jones and I got a table already,” Luke said as he reached us. He was wearing black dress pants and a brilliant blue button up that matched his eyes perfectly. Without the hat, I could see his full head of dark hair, and had a sudden urge to reach my hand up and tousle it.
“Hi, I’m Ginger,” my friend said, rushing forward with her hand thrust out.
“Luke, nice to meet you,” he responded.
Ginger looked over her shoulder and mouthed, “Oh. My. God,” before turning back to him and saying, “Wow … Belle said you were easy on the eyes, but she failed to mention that you’re gor-geous!”
I rolled my eyes at her over-exaggerated flirting, and was surprised to see Luke’s face get red.
He cleared his throat nervously and said, “I’ll take you back.”
Ginger hooked her arm through one of his, then gave me a look that said, put your arm in the other one, so I tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow and let him lead us to the table.
“How’d you happen upon the two most beautiful women in Charleston?” Jones asked with a grin as we approached the table.
“Aren’t you a charmer?” Ginger said with a gleeful giggle.
She rounded the table and I introduced them, then Jones held out the chair next to him for her to sit.
I looked at Luke, to see him standing behind the chair across from Ginger, holding it out for me to sit.
“Thank you,” I said, giving him a small smile before lowering myself to the chair. He pushed it in, then sat.
Ginger and Jones were engaged in conversation, so I perused my menu, then turned to Luke and asked, “Have you been here before? What’s good?”
“Well, you know I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy,” Luke answered with a handsome grin. “And the rib-eye here is fantastic.”
“Mmmm, that sounds perfect,” I responded with a grin of my own.
The server came and got our drink orders, and as he walked away, I wondered if I should bring up the fact that no one ordered alcohol.
On one hand, I thought it was terribly sweet that they were looking out for me by ordering sodas and waters, but on the other, I knew that they would normally be having wine, or at the very least beer, and I hated to be the reason they were doing so.
I didn’t want my friends to change their habits and desires, just because I couldn’t handle mine.
My stomach clenched at the thought of bringing it up and possibly ruining what was a really great evening, but I dug deep, found my courage, and said what was on my mind.
“Um, hey, guys. I just want to say that I think you’re all wonderful and sweet, but I don’t expect you all to refrain from drinking tonight. You shouldn’t have to go without on my account, really … I’ll be fine, I swear.”
“Belle,” Luke said, and I turned my attention to him. “You haven’t been out of rehab that long, and although you’re doing beautifully, why wouldn’t we show our support by refraining? It isn’t a hardship for any of us, I assure you.” I looked around the table to Ginger and Jones nodding in agreement. “It’s all still new to you, so let’s just take things slow, alright?”
He sought out my hand under the table and held it snuggly in his, and I had to wonder if he was talking about more than just drinking with his last statement.
I was literally speechless as my stomach uncoiled and became infused with warmth, so I simply nodded and gave my friends a watery smile. I breathed in deeply, hoping to stave off the tears that were threatening, and used my free hand to take a long sip of cool water.
The waiter returned with our drinks and took our dinner orders. I went with the rib-eye, loaded sweet potato, and cream corn, with a small house salad to start.
Luke kept my hand in his until his steak was served and he needed it to cut his meat, but I felt the ghost of his hand on mine for the duration of the meal. I watched him talk and laugh with our friends, and I was struck at how quickly I’d become accustomed to having him in my life. Him, Matty, Hank, even Jones. They’d become my friends, dare I say, almost like family, and I hated to think about leaving them.
Luke laughed as Jones told Ginger all about their trip to Vegas, including the part where Luke met me, and the subsequent weeks he talked about me after.
“He was like a lovesick puppy,” Jones teased, and my cheeks flushed as Luke’s began to redden again. It was sweet how embarrassed he got. “I thought he’d never recover. Then, like magic, she landed on his doorstep.” Jones pointed his fork between Luke and me and said, “If ever you need proof of fate, kismet, destiny, or whatever you choose to call it, all you need to do is look at these two.”
Ginger grinned with pleasure at having her thoughts from this afternoon validated. I tried to play it off, as if their teasing didn’t bother me, but in fact, they were scaring me to death.
Maybe I needed to back off from Luke and Matty. Stop eating dinner with them. Stop going on walks together, as if we were a unit, or God forbid, a family. They weren’t mine, and I wasn’t theirs. Matty had a mother, and I had a husband.
Dead or not, it felt like a betrayal to Ricky’s name to even pretend their words had merit.
Chapter 32
Ginger and I had laid in bed and talked into the early hours of the morning, just like two teenaged girls at a sleepover. Luckily Luke, being the sweetheart that I’d come to know him as, had told me to take Saturday off to enjoy my visit with my friend, so she and I slept in until the early afternoon.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept in so late, but it felt wonderful. We’d eaten, showered, and I’d put a pork roast in the crock-pot, then we set off on foot so I could show Ginger around the ranch. After we’d been walking for about thirty minutes, Matty and Joe, his grandpa’s dog, came running through the trees.
He ran right up to Ginger and came skidding to a halt, then he put his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun so he could get a good look at her.
“You’re pretty,” he said with his father’s charming grin.
Ginger laughed and dipped into a deep curtsy.
“Thank you, kind sir, you’re very handsome.”
“You’re weird,” Matty said as he watched her, but his grin stayed in tact, showing that he didn’t mean anything bad by his observation. “I’m weird too.”
“Us weirdos have to stick together.”
“Are you staying for dinner?”
“Yup, I’ll be here until tomorrow.”
“Cool, see you then,” he said, then took off again with the dog racing at his heels. He stopped abruptly, and yelled over his shoulder, “Belle’s food is the best!” Then they were gone.
Ginger turned to me laughing and observed, “Wow, goo
d luck not falling in love with that kid.”
“I know, right? He’s amazing.” I looked at the spot he’d just left and wondered how I’d make it through the day without his funny little antidotes.
“Seems like there’s a lot of amazing around here.”
“Stop,” I implored, unsure of how much more of her “Luke Campaign” I could take.
“Sorry,” she said, but she didn’t sound sorry at all.
Because it was Ginger’s favorite, I made pulled pork, coleslaw, jalapeno cornbread, and sweet cream corn for dinner. She showed us how to slice the cornbread in half and stack some of the pork and coleslaw on top, then eat it all together, just like she used to do when she was a kid.
“That really hit the spot, Belle,” Ginger said, patting her slender belly in appreciation.
“Yeah, it was terrific,” Luke added as he cleared his empty plate.
“I told you Belle’s food was the best,” Matty added, completing the trio of compliments.
I smiled with pleasure, loving the fact that they’d enjoyed my food, and that I’d had the opportunity to cook for three of my favorite people and share a meal with them.
“You guys are easy to cook for,” I replied, eager to deflect the conversation from me, even if they were all being sweet. “You don’t have to do that,” I said when Luke came back and picked up my plate.
“Matty and I are on cleanup duty tonight, you and Ginger go enjoy your last night together.”
I looked up at him, a thank you on my lips, but no words came out when I saw the look of tenderness that was on his face. I felt a lump form in my throat, and my head swam with confusion. And guilt. That damn guilt was never far behind, but what I felt guilty about, I didn’t even know.
“Yeah, Dad said if I help, I can get an extra hour of Xbox time tonight,” Matty added, easing the tension that had overcome me.
“Hmmm, that’s a good little tidbit to know,” I teased Matty, trying to deflect my confusion as I ruffled his hair. “You can be bribed…”
More Than Exist Page 12
