“Andi, door!” Leona waggles her fingers at me.
“Hi.” Reid sets me at ease as soon as the door opens, his hip holding the screen ajar, both of his hands full and a turkey fryer at his feet.
“Hi,” I reply.
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
“I do have food here.” I take in his bags full of I-don’t-know-what.
“The fried turkey is better freshly made, so I ran by the Whole Foods, and since they know me, I scored a fresh one. Brought the fryer, but I think I have to do it down on the sidewalk.”
He went to Whole Foods on a special trip for us? I can’t even explain how that makes me feel. Anxious, immobilized, sensational, honored. The way my feelings are ping-ponging in my head and heart is a tad much. I feel like the wind’s been knocked out of me.
“Reid!” Gabby twirls between us. “You’re letting out all of the heat.”
“Shit,” he mutters. “I mean, shoot.”
“Come in.” I wave him inside, perusing his dark jeans, flannel shirt, and Timberlands. “You know Leona.” I give her the side-eye, making it known to behave. “Let’s get your stuff in the kitchen. Gabby, guess what? Reid is going to fry a turkey here. You’ll probably like it better than the breast I have cooking.”
“I saw you do it earlier, on the laptop.” She prances around, flirting. “What happened to that one?”
“Yeah, right? What happened?” I hope it didn’t go to waste on our account, still marveling over his special trip to the store for us.
“I wanted to make a fresh one for you, Gabby. It’s better that way. I cut the other one into pieces and gave it to a buddy of mine. There’s a guy who spends a lot of time underneath the library parking lot. I figured he could use a hot meal. He can share it with his friends this evening.”
“What’s his name? Does he work at the library? What friends?”
“Not exactly. Uh, his name’s Ralph. He doesn’t work at the library. He and his friends came upon some bad luck, and don’t always get to have three meals a day.”
I pull Gabby into my hip. “Sounds to me like he doesn’t have a home right now, Gabby, like the woman we see outside the sub shop. Reid did a good deed by taking him a meal.”
My heart hammers with something it shouldn’t. Giving affection hasn’t come easy in the last decade unless it was for Gabby. Now my heart beats in sync with a guy, and my head saysno way.
Leona saves me by jumping into the conversation. “Don’t set my porch on fire.”
“I swear, scout’s honor.” Reid lifts his hand in the air and peers around the kitchen. “How’s your food looking? No red dye?”
“Got that mess all cleaned up. I need about a half hour.”
“Well then, let’s go fry up a bird.”
“Ew.” Gabby wrinkles her nose.
“Come on, it’ll be fun.” Reid gives her head a noogie.
“Take a coat,” I call as the two of them head back outside with the bag presumably holding the turkey and supplies.
“What’s in there?” Leona points to the other bag, and I peek.
“Wine, a pie, and flowers.”
“Oh, Andi, time for you and your yoga pants to get back in the saddle. Or down dog, or whatever floats your boat. Good thing Gabbs likes to sleep at my place.”
I roll my eyes, but ask, “This look okay?” Suddenly, I feel burning hot in my sweater.
“It’s no date-night outfit, but it’ll do for now. How do I look?”
“Gorgeous, Leona.”
