We don’t speak for the rest of my meal, with her moving about and working and me quietly eating my pie, slower this time. But I feel her presence at all times. Funny how I don’t know where the other waitresses are, even when Karina almost makes me jump when she walks up to me from the side and grabs the plate. I’m always aware of my surroundings, always. But looks like this witch has completely taken over my attention.
15
Nora
The day has taken a better turn since Jericho’s visit. Him openly challenging Dick was one of the best things to happen in my life for the past…manyyears. No one, besides people who work with me in the diner, stand up to him because he has a very mean memory.
Back in high school, we were what people call sweethearts. A local hockey player and a tutor girl. I was set to become valedictorian, but Dick wanted to become one too for his college application. His father was the school principal, so the math was pretty easy there.
Despite our town being small, we actually used to have one of the best hockey teams in the state. It’s a very big thing here since we don’t have much else going on. Dick became the head coach in his spare time when the old, full-time coach retired a couple years ago. Funny how we haven’t won a state championship since he’s become coach, or even entered the top ten, but it doesn’t seem to bother people because he remains in the position and no one tries to replace him.
Our town is very friendly, but every place has its cons, and knowing nearly everyone makes hiding any secrets impossible. Naturally, the news about Jericho openly challenging Dick spreads around like wildfire. Every single person visiting the diner after that has their opinion, and surprisingly it’s favored toward Jericho. Even though he’s an outsider. Looks like the town has had enough of Dick lately.
“That was hot,” Karina says, rinsing a coffee pot in the sink.
“What?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. That new hottie shutting Dick down.” She adds with a wink, “And I think he did it for you.”
My loud snort is her answer.
“What?” She keeps going. “I’m sure of that. His feathers got all ruffled up when Dick showed you interest.”
“You mean when he started insulting me?” I ask curiously.
“That’s just how that idiot shows interest in you,” she explains with a shrug. “Dick has never been smart.”
“But he is. Always has been,” I admit.
She pauses halfway to the coffee machine with a bag of beans in her hands. “Please tell me I’m not hearing what I think I hear. You are not defending him, Nora Moon. Tell me that before I smack some sense into you.”
“I’m not.” My wince is involuntary—the idea of me being on my ex’s side in any argument physically pains me. “But he has always been academically smart. He finished school and college with honors.”
Karina thinks for a moment. “I suppose one can be academically smart while remaining a total idiot with the emotional range of a nail file,” she says with a scrunched nose. “And now he’s so miserable in his marriage that he wants his old flame back.” Her finger points at me, the ‘old flame.’ Withfurrowed brows, she adds, “Well, not technically old, but old. You know what I mean.”
“I do.” I laugh at how telling her face is. “Stop before it’s too late.”
“What did I say? I really think he wants you back. I’m like one hundred and one percent sure. But he’s stuck in that marriage, so all he can do is torment you. That’s it.”
I know Karina has always hated Dick, but her theory makes a lot of sense. He has been a dick toward me ever since I returned to Big Love, and I’ve never been quite sure what his problem is.
A loud chuckle draws my attention from cleaning the table.
“What are you laughing about?” I ask Karina.
“I just remembered your face.”
“When?”
“When that hottie licked his fingers.” She releases a snort.
“What happened with my face?” I ask, feeling my cheeks turn hot.
“You tell me,” she shoots back with a wink and flies away to the kitchen to pick up an order Roman just rang.
Was I too obvious? I might have blacked out a little when he pushed those giant fingers into that meatloaf. I’m not sure if I imagined it, but I swear I saw those fingers move right inside the food, and I felt them right between my legs.
And the way his eyes closed when he shoved those juicy fingers into his mouth. I know the food is great, but my imagination made the scene naughty, thinking about other juicy things in his mouth.
