“What if he’s going to bring you downtown?” Helenasks. Out of the five of us, Helen is the person who enjoys rattling the cage, as my mother would say.
“God, I hope that’s not what’s happening.” She sits up straighter. “However, if it is, then I’m good, as long as we’re together.”
“Gross,” Helen answers, making me laugh. “Men are just…”
“Not all of them,” Lily answers. She turns toward Ramona. “So, what does it look like?”
“What does what look like?” Ramona asks.
Lily’s face turns red in an instant. “You know.It. What doesitlook like?”
“Lily!” Carol chastises.
“Oh, don’t be such a prude, Carol. You’ll find out one day.” I join in.
“Then, I’ll wait until that day. Right now, I’m more interested in beignets.”
“Excuse me,” a deep voice says from nowhere.
I turn. Behind me is the very man we’re arguing about. He’s even more handsome up close than I could’ve imagined. Deep green eyes carry something I’m not sure how to explain. A mixture of mischief, beauty, and pain.
“Yes?” I answer, realizing I’ve been staring way too long.
“I couldn’t help but notice you lovely ladies.” He looks around our table, making eye contact with each woman, ending with me. “I wondered if I might join you?”
“I don’t think…” Carol starts.
“Of course,” I interrupt, making room for another chair at our table. “We’re celebrating an upcoming wedding.”
“A wedding? How wonderful. However, it saddens me.” His Southern accent is so thick, it feels fake. He slides an empty chair between Ramona and me.
“A wedding saddens you?” I ask.
He smiles, sending shivers down my spine. “It means one of you lovely ladies will be off the market. What a shame for men like me.”
“Are there more like you?” Lily asks, making me smile.
“A few,” he answers. “None quite as charming.” The women surrounding the table laugh in unison. The kind of laugh that’s expected in social situations.
“Are you ladies from New Orleans?” He takes the smallest sip of his coffee.
“Algiers,” Helen answers. “What about you?”
He crosses his long legs at the knees. “The Garden District.”
“Oh, I love the homes in the Garden District,” Lily answers.
“As do I,” he answers. “I’d love to host you ladies one day for a tour of my home and neighborhood.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Carol answers for the group. “How would that look? Five women going to a bachelor’s home…alone.”
“Who cares how it looks?” Ramona answers. “I’d love to see his home.”
“You’re engaged,” Carol argues. “How would Jonathan feel about that?”
The stranger holds up his hand. “No need to argue, ladies. Jonathan is welcome to come along.”
“See,” Ramona answers with a wave of her hand.
