"I'll never get them all," I said. "But I've got a lot of try in me."
"You are quite trying," said Cat, the corner of her mouth turning up ever so slightly.
"But you love me anyway," I said, then asked, "How is Allison doing at the cafe?"
Cat's hands relaxed in her lap. "She's doing great. Just like Jenna did when she started. She's been so helpful and I've been able to teach her how to cook a few things just in case I need her to take over like I did today. Or maybe give me some mornings off so I can get back to Tuesday morning Ladies League."
I stood to retrieve the napkin from the table and throw it out. "I have missed you at golf, but I know you'll be back soon. How are the cooking lessons going?" I asked as I sat back down.
"It's been amazing. She is quite the cook. I may have to bring her back into the kitchen with me more often."
"Well, that would mean you'd need someone else to take over up front."
"Indeed, it would," said Cat with a wink.
I had to laugh. Cat was as passionate about her mission at the café as she was about the café itself, and she always looked forward to finding out who her next mentee would be. Sometimes they came in during open interviews and Cat justknewthey were the one. Other times they walked in off the street and fell into the role like Allison had.
"How are you otherwise?" she asked, her lecture over.
I sighed and looked down at the wood floor in the kitchen, trying to discern a pattern in the hopes of stilling my mind. "I'm just lonely. When Drew is out of town, it's just me and the dog here and I just don't do well on my own. I like to have people around me."
"Especially if that person is Drew," said Cat.
"Especially that," I said and nodded my head. "But he's traveling so often, I spend more time alone than not."
Cat reached forward and set her hand on my leg. "I'm sorry that you're lonely. If you ever want to hang out, I'm almost always available after the café closes. You know that."
"I do. I just... it's mostly waking up to an empty house and going to sleep in an empty house, and you can't really help with that."
"Maybe we can have a sleepover one of these days," said Cat.
"That sounds fun." It did actually sound like fun. What I needed more than anything at that time was some company around the house.
Cat's phone buzzed. She picked it up and checked the face, sliding a calendar notification out of the way.
"Are you going to Paige's pool party?" she asked.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said.
"Yeah, it should be fun."
"They always are," I agreed.
Cat tapped her chin with her index finger. "We need to get Sarah to loosen up a little bit this time. I might have to make the margaritas a little stronger than usual."
"I hate to break it to you, Cat, but nobody trusts you with a bottle of tequila."
"Well, that just makes it evenmorefun," she said with a smirk. "All right, I'm going to get going. Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, concern clouding her eyes once again.
Even sitting, I was a few inches taller than Cat, so I leaned forward slightly so that our faces lined up. "I'll be fine," I said. "You and Drew worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough," said Cat, staring back at me. She gave me a wide-eyed stare, her chin jutting out in indignation.
"I promise you, I'm careful," I said, mirroring her expression.
Cat stood and smoothed down the front of her favorite yellow leggings. "Well, I knew I wasn't going to change your mind, but I would ask you to think about what I said. People are worried, and if Drew is asking me to come talk to you, he must be out of his mind."
"Duly noted," I said, rising from my seat at the table.
