Anna nodded. “Amen, sister.”
“How long have you dated?” Heather asked. They made a nice couple.
“Not long and we keep spending a lot of time apart because if his job. We’re new and finding our way, but we’re getting there.” Anna took another bite of a salad. “He just got back to town, and we’re trying to find a rhythm. Although I think he might be a sociopath.”
Heather choked on a crouton. “Really?”
Anna snorted. “Yeah. I’m helping him organize his new place, and he keeps combining three cereals into one container. Three different kinds. You’d have to be crazy to do that, right?”
“Absolutely,” Pauley agreed. “Crazy.”
Heather smiled. “I’m not sure. By the look of him, I’d say you might want to let that one flaw go.”
Anna laughed.
Tessa bounded up with drinks. She wore a heavy blue jacket and mittens. “I have two wines and an orange juice for you, Pauley.” She handed over the glasses to each of them. “I chose a white, if that’s okay.”
“Looks great,” Heather said, taking her glass. “Thank you.”
Tessa leaned in. “Did you see that both Jolene and Chrissy are here? Is Quint hiding or what?”
Heather took another sip and looked around. “I’ve heard about Jolene and understand their relationship was over quickly. Who’s Chrissy?” Not that she cared. Nope. Not at all. Even so, she scouted the crowd for another hot blonde with big boobs.
Pauley sighed. “I am done. Gossip is boring.” He grasped his plate, stood, and walked toward the deck and house that was decorated with too many Christmas lights to count.
Tessa immediately slid into his seat, her glass in hand. “Quint and Chrissy dated on and off for a year and broke up months ago. She’s nice and all but too demanding, and she couldn’t handle his job. The travel of it.”
Anna leaned closer and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “They weren’t a good match, anyway. She’s lovely, but they just didn’t fit very well. I think they’d make great friends, though.” Then she growled. “Why the hell is Jolene here? She keeps trying to bury me in the paper.”
“Her cousin Melissa is dating one of the Coolie cousins, and somehow she tagged along. Just ignore her,” Tessa said.
Heather didn’t want to ask. Nope. She wouldn’t. “Which one is Chrissy?” Yep. She’d asked. Weak.
Anna nodded toward a full-bodied blonde woman near the swing set. She was dressed in dark jeans with a light sweater, and her hair was up in a ponytail. “That’s her. I guess she’s dating Trick O’Leary? He’s like a fifth cousin twice removed or something like that. He’s over playing horseshoes.”
“Kind of uncool to bring her,” Tessa said, reaching across Heather to snag a roll from Anna’s plate. Then she paused. “Mom’s waving. I’ll go help her.” She darted off.
Heather ate more of her salad and tried not to watch the pretty blonde. It became more difficult when Chrissy turned, caught her eye, and then made her way toward them.
“Oh man,” Anna murmured against her glass. “This is going to be interesting.”
Chapter 6
Heather smiled at the woman when she reached the table. “Hi.”
“Heather, this is Chrissy,” Anna said, taking another bite of fruit. “Chrissy, Heather. Would you like to sit with us?”
“Hi.” Chrissy smiled and took Tessa’s vacant seat. “I hope it’s okay I’m here. I thought I shouldn’t come, but Trick really wanted me to, and we’ve been dating for a month, so…” Her pink painted lips pursed.
Anna smiled across Heather. “You’re welcome any time. I had no idea you and Trick have been dating for a month.”
Chrissy visibly relaxed. “Yeah. We’re taking it slow and all, but he’s a really great guy.”
Anna nodded. “I agree. Have you talked to Quint?”
Heather took another sip of her wine, wedged between the two women. Was this weird? Yeah, this was weird. Even so, she kept her smile in place.
Chrissy swallowed. “Not yet. I’ve been trying to get up the nerve, but I didn’t want it to be awkward.”
