Once we’re outside, we wave to Bill as he heads left and we go right to Bella’s car.
When we get on the road, Bella’s asks, “What happened on your date?”
“Nothing. We ate and I asked him where he was from. That was it.”
“Where is he from?”
“California?” I have to think to remember. “Los Angeles.”
“What else did you learn?”
What did I learn? “He likes meatloaf.” And apple pie à la mode. After dinner, we walked outside. He smiled at me, reached out, and patted my shoulder. I thanked him for dinner. I walked left, in the direction of the school, and he turned right. I suppose he’s staying at our one and only bed-and-breakfast, but I didn’t ask.
“Did you find out how long he’s staying?”
“No.”
“What about asking him what the hell he’s doing here?”
“Nope.”
God, I’m an idiot.
“Did he ask you anything?”
I lean my head back on her seat and close my eyes. “He asked me how I got started doing renovations.”
“And? Did you tell him?”
“Yes.” I did. I told him everything from working with my dad to going to community college. I don’t think he was impressed with my education. I am only speculating because he told me he went to Stanford, and I know that’s a big-time school. “I guess I told him a lot about me and about the Little house.” He had a lot of questions about that, including how much I paid for it and my budget. In retrospect, his questions were a bit invasive.
“Oh, he went to Stanford.” See? It wasn’t a total loss.
“That’s something, I guess.” She flicks on her blinker to turn onto our long driveway. I see my truck and groan. “I forgot Toni didn’t start. Now I’ve got to deal with that in the morning.”
“I wish you’d buy something new.”
“Can’t afford it. Not until the Little house sells.” Until the Little house is done and sold, I’m broke. Beyond broke. It’s why I didn’t argue when Chase pulled out his wallet to pay for dinner. Ordinarily, I’d pay my share, but when he commented about what a cheap date I was, I let him take the bill. A statement like that deserved it.
Stopping her car near the front door, she throws it into park and turns to face me. “No sparks?”
“Sparks?”
“With Chase Ryder. Did you feel chills? Sexual tension?”
I had to think about it. “He’s definitely gorgeous.” I felt something when I first saw him sitting in Norma’s tiny waiting area. “I don’t think he’s into me.”
“How do you know?” Her voice dropped and her expression changed into something that looked rather angry. “After eating meatloaf at Norma’s—”
“What?”
“It’s not conducive to a sexy date night.”
“It wasn’t a sexy date.”
“Because you went to Norma’s and ate meatloaf.”
I don’t know why, but Bella’s comment hurt. Norma’s was my idea. “I had plans withyou.” To watch that stupid show. A show that wasn’t all that stupid. As a matter of fact, it was really good. And I sort of can’t wait until the next episode to see what happens next.
