“Fine.” She huffed. “Pete filled me.”
“You spoke to him? When?”
“Yesterday. Calm down, killer. I called him to thank him for seeing you home safely.”
“Really?”
“Yes, don’t seem so shocked. We exchanged numbers right before you guys left. I was a little worried about letting you get into his car alone. Cop or no cop, given your past with him, the man would’ve been well within his right to bump you off along the way, wrap your body in a burlap bag, and dump you by the side of the highway so starving raccoons could feast upon.”
“Lauren!”
I closed my eyes for a second as she continued. “In all seriousness, even though we went to school with him, I was a little uneasy about letting him drive you home. I wanted his number in case you went missing. I’ve watched way too many true crime television shows while nursing the baby. Gary jokes that I see potential serial killers everywhere.”
I snorted. “What did he say?”
“Just last week, we were in the grocery store and I spotted this man carting a huge bag with a red stain on the bottom. I said to Gary—”
“Lauren! I’m not asking about some guy you saw in the supermarket. I want to know what Pete said to you.”
“Oh, yeah. Not too much, really. But enough for me to know he enjoyed spending time with you, too.”
I frowned. “Are you sure? I asked him if we could get together again, and he flat out said ‘no’. In fact, he couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”
“Interesting.” She went silent for a second before adding, “I think you’re reading way more into the situation, as usual.” Her voice turned softer. “I was actually on the phone with him for a while. He told me about his wife and kid. He’s gone through a lot of pain in a short period of time. I’m sure he probably felt like you were coming onto him, which you were. I bet he got scared and felt the need to push you away. Who knows what is going on in the male brain! He may feel the right thing for him to do is focus on his daughter instead of a relationship. That’s how my neighbor felt after her husband passed.”
“Makes sense, except who said anything about a relationship? All I wanted to do was get to know him better.”
“Mmm-hmm. I have a rather good idea of which parts you were most interested in.”
I let out a deep breath. The problem with old friends is they saw straight through all your defense mechanisms. “So, sage one, what should I do now?”
“Really? Do you think we’re still in high school? I’m too old to continue to give you dating advice, especially since you are always too stubborn to listen to my wisdom. You’re a smart, successful, grown woman. I’m sure you can figure everything out on your own, if you want.”
“So, you think there is hope?”
“Not a clue. All I’m saying, I don’t think you should write Pete off just yet.”
Then, as if right on cue, her baby began to cry. When she rushed off to change a dirty diaper, I had an idea.
16
Lauren hada knack for always knowing what to do and when. I was the one to get us into trouble and she was the one who always found a way to set things right. Too bad, after all our years of friendship, more of her social graces hadn’t rubbed off on me.
I should have called Pete to thank him first thing on Sunday morning, just like she did. It was horrible she called him instead of me! Seriously, if the guy was on the fence deciding if I changed an iota from the obnoxious girl I had been in grade school, my lack of manners probably tipped the scales in the wrong direction.
In my defense, unlike Lauren, I didn’t have his cell number. Sure, I could have asked her for it when we were on the phone. But I knew her well enough to know she’d never give it to me without his explicit permission. I also thought of calling the station and asking to speak with him. However, if the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t want to be bothered at my job if I had no interest in a person. And besides, even relationship-challenged meknew he deserved more of a thank you than a few rushed words while his co-workers eavesdropped. Based on my weekend of cyberstalking, I knew both Pete and his daughter, like everyone else in town, adored the baked delights from Crazy Cakes.
There are some perks to living in a small suburban town. When I called the precinct to make sure Pete was working, I was able to provide enough personal information about him and the reunion he attended to convince the woman who answered the phone I was a well-meaning acquaintance instead of one of the deranged serial killers Lauren claims she spots everywhere she goes.
After I hung up with the station, I phoned the bakery and ordered two dozen decadent cupcakes to be delivered to the precinct. Selecting the sweets was simple. Crafting an accompanying note was a whole other story. It must have taken me over a half hour to draft a few short sentences to accompany the treats.
Pete,
There is so much I want to say—but only two words matter—SORRY and THANKS.
Thanks for Saturday night. You were incredible…
Sorry for everything else…I regret everything I’ve done EXCEPT for kissing you…
