“Is that my suit stud? And my sweetheart, Delaney?” I recognize that voice even from a distance.
Harrison groans, and I turn to see Ruthie and Lester. I don’t know him well, but he was nice when I met him a few weeks ago at the pizza shop. Ruthie approaches our table in her fuchsia-colored, sequined jogging suit, and Lester is in jeans and a white T-shirt with a flannel shirt over it.
“My, oh my, I didn’t know I was gonna have my dessert first by seeing you today, suit stud,” Ruthie cackles.
“That’s not appropriate. Please stop calling me that, Ruthie,” Harrison mutters. His cheeks are bright pink.
Lester chuckles. “You know that’s not gonna stop her, right?”
“Yeah, I know.” Harrison runs a hand through his hair and grips a handful.
“Hi, Delaney. Good to see you again,” Lester says.
“Hi. You too.”
“Are you two on a date?” Ruthie interjects. She looks at me and winks. I want to crawl under the table and die.
“No, this is a working lunch,” I rush to tell her.
“Oh yeah? What kind of work are you doing? I don’t see anything on the table.” Ruthie clearly chooses to ignore the legal pad and files.
“Even though it’s none of your business, I’m taking some variance applications to the building department this afternoon. I’m going through the basics of how to do it with Delaney.”
Ruthie scowls. “Is she gonna have to deal with that witch, Susie? If she were dying of thirst, I wouldn’t even spit on her.”
Harrison has a faint smirk on his face as he listens to her.
“Come on, Ruthie, that’s a little bit harsh. Don’t you think?” Lester chastises her, but I swear he’s holding back a grin.
“You know what she did, Lester.” Ruthie’s eyes are full of fire. Ooh, she’s not kidding when she says she doesn’t like whoever Susie is.
“What did she do?” Harrison asks.
“I’ll tell you what she did.” Ruthie hisses. “She stole my man. The little harlot!”
I gasp before I can stop myself. “I’m sorry to hear that.” I offer.
“Ruthie, you know Susie married him, and they’ve been together fifty-five years. Don’t you think it’s okay that he broke up with you ineighthgrade because he liked her?”
Harrison bites his lower lip, and I’m sure he’s fighting a smile. I fake a cough to hide my chuckle.
“Whatever, Lester. Whose side are you on?” Ruthie glares at him.
Without another word, Ruthie sits down across from me, next to Harrison, and Lester takes the remaining seat by my side.
Harrison is clearly uncomfortable as he reminds her, “This is a working lunch.”
“Well, I still work with you guys, as needed. And Lester’s with me, so he can stay.”
“It’s not really Lester I have an issue with?—”
“Harrison is teasing.” I don’t want him to say anything rude or cutting to her. “Aren’t you?” I give him my best‘don’t be an asshole’look and hope he gets it. Harrison stares at me for a few seconds, then turns to look at Ruthie.
“Fine. You can join us.” I suspect that’s the best we’re going to get out of him.
The server must have noticed their arrival because she walks over, gives them their waters, and holds two menus, but doesn’t offer them to Ruthie and Lester.
“Well, good afternoon to you two. Do you need menus or will you be having your usual?”
