“Okay, I’ll see you there.”
She closes the door behind her and gets into her car. I take glances in the rearview mirror to make sure she gets in. In two weeks, I have a date with this woman, and I can’t believe she actually agreed to it. I was certain after everything, she’d run screaming.
I drive the rest of the way to Lisa’s house, and put the car in park. The front door opens before I’m even out of my car. Lisa leans against the door frame, Devin right behind her.
“Look who finally showed up,” she taps the imaginary watch on her wrist. “I sent the text forever ago.”
“Yeah, I know.” Is this the moment I should bring up how her text made me feel, or do I wait for Joan to pull up. “We were eating breakfast when it came through.”
“So, there were fun times?” She grins and moves her eyebrows up and down.
Yep. I need to say something now, before Joan pulls up. “Actually, no. And the text you sent was pretty crappy.”
“I was just playing.” She doesn’t sound bitchy about being called out. More like a child not knowing the best way to approach the situation.
“Shockingly, that’s what Joan said. But please just don’t. I know I give off the illusion I’m a player, but if anyone knows better than that it should be you.”
“I’m sorry.” She holds up a hand with three fingers together. I think it’s some sort of scout salute. “I won’t make stupid jokes like that again.”
Joan pulls up and stops the moment from getting awkward and like a scene from one of those shows that served as after school specials. She gets out of the car and makes her way up to the porch. “So, what did I miss?”
“Not much.” Lisa shrugs and pushes the door open wider, forcing her boyfriend to take a couple of steps back. “Y’all want to come in? Or just stay on the porch twiddling your fingers.”
A quick glance toward Joan and she already has a foot over the threshold. Well, that answers that question. I follow her in and shut the door behind me. It’s weird being invited inside formally. I guess she wants to make a good impression on Joan. Usually when I come over, I barely have time to knock before she, or Devin, is yelling “come in” from somewhere in the house.
“Woah, that’s a lot of food.” Joan points at the kitchen counter where Lisa leads us. “We literally just ate.”
“I know that now,” my friend side eyes me, “but you can take some of this home. I won’t be able to eat it all on my own, since Devin leaves for another tour date in a couple of days.”
She doesn’t give us a chance to refuse the food before she loads up plates with food before covering them.
I turn toward Devin, the guy I had to make sure was good for her when she apparently moved back into town. Something I learned when she came to work for Carlos and Angie…again. “I didn’t know you had to go back out.”
“Yeah,” Devin shrugs his shoulders, “Crooked Halo picked up a couple more dates on the tour. We could always bow out for another act to replace us, but it’s worth it for us to go out with them. It’s only a few more dates, then we’re home for a while.”
“You’re not gonna know what to do with him home all the time.” I wink at Lisa and point my thumb at Devin. “But I’m sure y’all will figure it out.”
“I’m sure we will.” She moves closer to him and runs her hand down his back. Gross. I love them both, but I don’t want to see all the cuddly stuff. I’ve seen more than I care to admit.
“Is it hard being away from each other for long periods of time?” Joan asks as she picks up a mini sandwich. A part of me wonders why she’s asking. Is it because she’s wondering how we would make dating work? Or is she genuinely curious? I hate that I don't know her well enough to know the difference.
“There’s ups and downs. I think it would be easier if it didn’t happen right after we got back together,” she sighs. “But it’s an amazing opportunity for him, and I want nothing but the best for him and the band. They’ve worked so hard for so many years, and I want them to succeed.” She moves her hand to grip Devin’s. “If that means being apart for a minute, so be it. At least there are video calls.”
“Y’all are the cutest.” Joan takes a bite of the sandwich and grins. “Oh, will you be back in time for the town carnival?” She nods toward Devin.
“How…do you know about that?” Lisa cocks her head to the side, and doesn’t give Devin a chance to answer. She acts confused, but I think she may know exactly what’s going on.
She points toward me. “Eric told me about it,” she pauses, lifts the sandwich to her lips and pulls it away. “He’s, um, taking me there for a date.”
“So, you finally caved?” My best friend grins.
“Let’s just say he was pretty convincing over breakfast this morning.” She glances at me and her cheeks redden. “With that, I think it’s time I should go home. I need to get ready for work tomorrow.”
“You can’t just rush off after blurting that out.” Lisa puts her hands on her hips. “I need details.”
“You’ll get those when I get them.” Joan glances at me. “Do you have my phone? I really need to get home. I’m sure my dad is freaking out even though I’m a grown woman.”
I can see indecision go to war in Lisa’s eyes. The debate on whether or not to hold Joan’s phone for ransom. “Fine.” She turns around, grabs the phone from somewhere beside the fridge and hands it to Joan. “But I expect a call later.”
