Martin was calling.
As her husband’s name flashed on the screen, Diane stared at her phone. Set it on the table beside her at Frank’s pizza place. Let the call roll.
Maybe he was ready to tell her about the changes he’d been making in his life since he’d visited her three weeks ago, but thiswasn’t the time for that conversation. Not in the middle of a dinner date with Lauren.
A voicemail alert popped up on her screen.
He’d left her a message.
Should she play it back now or wait until—
“Sorry.” Lauren slipped onto the bench across from her in the booth they were sharing. “There was a line at the ladies room. No sign of our pizza yet?”
“No.”
“It’s crowded here for a Monday night.” She glanced around the packed eatery. “People must be getting an early start on their Fourth of July celebrations for tomorrow.”
“Could be.”
Lauren squinted at her. “You have an odd expression. What’s up?”
She straightened her knife.
The two of them were new friends, but they’d connected from the get-go. And she’d filled Lauren in on Martin’s trip to Texas and the other details she’d gleaned about his recent activities. Lauren also had firsthand experience with a breakup. What could it hurt to get her take on this new development?
“Martin called while you were gone.”
Lauren blinked. “Seriously? What did he say?”
“I let it roll. But he left a voicemail.”
“Did you play it back?”
“Not yet.”
“If you want to, feel free. You have to be curious.”
“Are you certain you don’t mind?”
“Have at it.” Lauren waved a hand toward the phone.
Diane reached for it. Took a fortifying breath. Tapped the screen and put the cell to her ear.
“Hi,Diane. It’s Martin. I was hoping you’d consider meeting me for lunch next week. Any day is fine. There’s a French café not far from the library,and I promise not to keep you for more thanan hour. If you text me a day and time,I’ll be there. I’d really like to talk to you. Please come.”
Martin was willing to drive up to Coos Bay to have lunch with her on any workday of her choosing, despite whatever might be going on at the mill?
That was out of pattern. As far as she knew, he’d worked through lunch since he’d taken the helm at the mill. Dinner too, many days.
She set her phone down and relayed the message to Lauren.
“Are you going to go?” Her dining companion moved her water glass aside to create space for the pizza as the waiter approached.
“I don’t know.” She spread her napkin on her lap. “What do you think?”
Lauren helped herself to a piece of pizza. “From everything you’ve told me about what he’s been doing since you left, it sounds like he’s making some positive changes. You may want to listen to what he has to say.”
“Lucas told me the same thing.” She took a slice of pizza too.
