She points at the menu. “We don’t move to the dinner menu until five o’clock, but that really just adds your choice of coleslaw or potato salad with any of the sandwiches instead of just fries.” She winks. “But I can get you that now if you really want it. I know people.”
She turns to the round table and says something to them about their dessert order. It gives me a moment to take a breath and acclimate to my surroundings. Maybe it’s because Lisa knows Astrid, I’m not sure, but I’m relieved at the warm welcome.
“Sorry,” Lisa says. “They come in here every day and think they run the place.”
“We do run the damn place!” One of the men in bib overalls shouts, making the rest of them laugh. “Don’t let Lisa pull your leg!”
“Charlie, you’re gonna shut your mouth if you want dessert,” Lisa says over her shoulder.
I giggle at their antics. “I’m here for a pizza. Pepperoni and cheese, please.”
“Oh, good choice. Keeping it classic. Do you want a seven-inch personal pizza or a small? It’s twelve inches.”
“Personal is fine, and an iced tea, please.”
“Of course.” She scribbles on her notepad. “No cheese sticks or breaded mushrooms?”
I shake my head and hand her the menu. “I’m good with just the pizza today.”
“All right. Pizza and tea are coming up. Feel free to holler if you need anything.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
She bops over to Charlie and smacks him on the back of the head as she walks by. The rest of the table laughs at the encounter, and I find myself smiling, too.
I take out my phone and open the search tab I was using at the cabin to look up lingerie. I washed the blue set yesterday and wore it again today. It’s amazing how a pretty bra and panties can change your entire vibe. It’s an instant confidence booster. I need more of that.
But as soon as I open the window, my phone buzzes with an incoming text from my brother.
Drew: Just got my schedule nailed down for my new job. I can officially join everyone on Laurent Isle.
My fingers fly over the keys.
Every year, our family goes to our cottage on Laurent Isle for a month in the summer. It’s nonnegotiable … for me, anyway. The one year I tried to get out of it, Mom and Dad guilt-tripped me for months.Drew, though?Drew does what Drew wants—and they usually cheer him on.
As irritating as that is, it’s better with him there.
Me: This would be a mean joke if you aren’t serious.
Drew: I’m serious. It took a little coaxing, but I freed up two weeks in July. Just told Mom.
“She’s going to be unmanageable today,” I mutter as I tap out my response. Every time she gets her way, which is 99 percent of the time, it only reinforces her behavior. It’s a diabolical circle.
Me: I’m excited. Glad it worked out.
Drew: How are things with you? Are you still on your sabbatical?
Me: I am. Still haven’t told Mom about it and don’t plan to. So
Drew: You know you could’ve come to Boston if you needed a getaway. I was there until yesterday. The movers got the rest of my shit on Monday morning. I’m meeting them at the new place tomorrow.
I grimace, wishing I could hop on a flight to Boston. I love the city so much. But the last time I was there, the whole Seth debacle went down. The possibility of running into him is enough to make me want to puke, especially now that he’s married to someone else—which, good for him. I think I dodged a bullet there, anyway.
“Here’s your tea,” Lisa says.
I look up as she sets it in front of me. “Thank you.”
“I put your order in. If you need anything else, I’ll be around.”
