“I can start by being your best customer. And by seeing if you’re in the mood for pizza. Maybe the three of us can go to Gino’s tonight.”
Janice blinked in astonishment. “Who are you?”
“Meet me at Gino’s and find out,” Darby suggested. She turned to Gregory. “Are you interested?”
“Oh, yeah. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Darby was aware of a presence looming at her back. She turned to see Ainsley looking down at her with scorn and disbelief.
Chapter8
“What are you doing? Have you fallen on your head?” Ainsley demanded.
“Do you mind?” Darby said, matching her snotty tone. “I’m trying to have a meaningful conversation here. Which is more than I’ve ever had with you. Every time you open your mouth, nothing but air comes out.”
Okay, not exactly gracious.
Ainsley’s eyes grew to the size of saucers, and her cheeks took on a reddish tint.
Darby could feel heat on her own cheeks. “Okay, that was rude. Sorry.”
“You sure are. In fact, you’re pathetic,” Ainsley said. Then, with an offended huff, she marched back to the window table. There she signaled to Laurel, and the two left the shop.
“Sorry, I think you just lost some business,” Darby said.Sorry, now the most used word in her vocabulary.
“Their business I can do without,” replied Janice. “Youknow, I didn’t believe what you said about wanting to be different. But I do now.”
“I meant it. So, how about taking me up on the offer of pizza?”
“I’ll pass on the pizza, but they make a great chopped chicken salad,” Janice said.
“Salad works,” Darby said, and smiled.
“Not for me. I want pizza,” put in Gregory.
“That too,” Darby said, still smiling. How much better the world was when you seasoned your days with kindness.
Both Cole and Erika joined the pizza expedition, and afterward everyone returned to the house to play games. Darby even drafted her parents into playing Pictionary with them. The evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Darby couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled so much—not the fake ones or the superior smirks she’d gotten so skilled at, but genuine, happy ones.
The next day she and Gregory hit the slopes. He received several texts from Arielle but ignored them all. Darby tried hard not to feel superior.
“This has been great,” she said as they made their way to his SUV for the ride home.
“You’re not bored yet?” he asked.
“Why would I be?”
“Not exactly the glamorous life you’ve been leading with all those big-city movers and shakers.”
“No, I’m genuinely having fun.”
“You really have changed, haven’t you?” he said.
“Working on it. And don’t sound so surprised. God can change anyone who’s willing, right?”
“Right. So what else has changed about you, besides your behavior?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
