“Of course. I’m interviewing three artists and will choose who will best capture my legacy.” No pressure, then.
I nod. “I’ll have Callie check my calendar.” If she’s going to exude self-importance, well, two can play at this game. “I’ll let you know if I’m available at such short notice.”
Max inhales a breath like I’ve made a huge faux pas.However, Stella claps her hands in delight and looks at her best friend. “I think I’ve found a worthy opponent.”
“Indeed you have,” Opal says and turns in her chair toward the front, where the group of men still visit. “Hurry up, Robert! We’re all waiting on you to start calling balls!”
When Maxand I leave together, I’m sixty dollars richer and have been invited back by the Bingo crew thanks to what they call my ‘glowing personality.’ They’re too well-mannered to tell me I am not a gracious winner. My competitive edge comes out whenever I play any kind of a game and today was no exception. I may have gone into a room full of strangers but I turned into my sister at her bachelorette party, strutting my stuff and shouting “woooo” like my life depended on it every time I won.
This seemed to breathe infectious life into the room, and even Max joined in the frivolity. By the time the hour was up, I knew about Artie’s new hip, when Johnathan’s grandson was taking the medical boards, how Maggie takes her coffee, and why Robert quit being a cop to open a bakery before retiring. This group was the perfect way to spend a day without Emma.
Max walks me to my Toyota Rav4 and my phone chimes. I hold up a finger and dig in my crossbody bag.
“Hang on, sorry.” Why am I apologizing like we’re on a date? Why am I apologizing to him at all? “It’s probably from Emma. I hope they haven’t beaten me home.”
He leans against my car and patiently waits as I click on my phone and swipe.
Julie: The girls want to go to In-n-Out before I drop them off. Is that okay?
Me: Are you surviving?
Julie: Yes! They’re currently locked in a deep debate about whether or not Coach is cute.
I laugh out loud, which makes Max ask with a dash of gruffness, “What?”His eyes give away a hint of insecurity, as if heknowsit’s about him.
“I’m not telling you.”
“Fine.” He pretends he really couldn’t care less. “Want to grab something to eat?”
“Hang on.” I tap out a reply.
Me: I’m sorry I’m missing that. What’s the consensus?
Julie: They say he has kind eyes, so yes.
I sneak a peek to confirm what I already know and he catches me. They crinkle in the corners as he studies me back. They’re the perfect shade of green. The girls aren’t wrong.
Me: No rush. I’ll be home when you guys are done.
“What did you ask me?” I pocket the phone.
He rubs the side of his face. “There’s a place over in Hyde Park I’ve been wanting to try, but I think that neighborhood is more accommodating if you’re not wandering it solo.”
The North End section of Boise has several eateries and a few shops tucked into the neighborhood below Camel’s Back Park. It’s always lively with lots of people around who don’t care if you’re there alone or not.
“That’s the silliest lie I’ve ever heard.” I roll my eyes.“Just admit you want me to grace you with my company.”
“Okay, fine, I give up.” He holds his hands up in defeat. “You can take me out to dinner since you’re a baller and steal money from the elderly.”
“If I’m paying, we’re going to North End Pizza.” I open my car door. “Hop in.”
Max leavesthe ordering to me and I go for my usual: the artichoke dip and the Hyde House Combo pizza. It’s busy when we arrive. Everybody not at or watching the BSU football game is out, taking advantage of the last of the perfect weather. We are lucky to get two spots together at a tall table with barstools.
Max absentmindedly twirls his straw around his Pepsi. There’s a question sitting on the tip of his tongue that he’s not asking.
“Out with it,” I say, dipping the toasted crostini bread into the dip. “You’re thinking something and you won’t ask. We’re adults here.”
He fidgets with the rolled sleeve on his left arm for a second. “What did Stella mean when she said you destroyed your good name?”
