“I don’t want you carrying that around. You’ll just be asking to get mugged.”
“Aren’t you worried about Caroline, then? Her latest purse cost ten thousand.”
“Caroline would talk the robber into turning himself in with one of her famous guilt trips. So, no, I’m not worried about her.” Will watched Gianna shift her body into the driver’s seat and then fold up her wheelchair, popping off the wheels, and placing everything in the seat next to her. He had to admit, she was getting faster and more confident. He handed her the basket and she set it in the seat behind her. His smile dropped when Gianna hit the garage door button to reveal Caroline already parking at the curb outside.
“Make a salad together,” Gianna called out as she pulled out of the driveway.
Chapter 7 ♥Mosquitos and Women
Elsie didn’t want another bite of over-salted movie popcorn but she kept eating it, every handful a physical reminder that she was still in a movie theater and this was only a scary movie. Nobody was actually dying, despite all the screaming and blood splatter going on. She hated scary movies. Onscreen, a gorgeous actress in a sweaty tank top held up a butcher knife, breathing heavily in a way that best showed off her impressive chest.
“She’s going up the stairs,” Jeff murmured. “Man, this girl’s dumb.”
“But if she dies up there, does that mean the movie will be over?”
Jeff rubbed Elsie’s knee. “Hang in there. This is the good part. And I promise she doesn’t die. She has to be around to make another one next Halloween.”
“How comforting.” She took another bite of popcorn before handing Jeff the bag. “Keep this away from me.”
He took it automatically, too absorbed with what was happening on the screen to even look over. Elsie slid down in the seat and pulled out her phone, going to her email app and checking T-shirt orders. They’d made an awesome ghost graphic, and with Halloween two weeks away, they needed to sell as many as possible while there was still time to ship.
If they’d been watching Angelic Encounters, like Jane and Charlie, there was no way she’d turn to work. After going through her work emails, she scrolled through their social media accounts, responding to anyone who commented on their business page.
Jeff nudged her as loud rock music blared out and the credits started rolling down the screen. “Amazing, huh?”
Elsie looked up. How much time had passed? She put away her phone and shrugged. “Not exactly my kind of movie. How many times have you seen this?”
“I went with Lydia last night. She loved it, but I get the feeling you two don’t agree on much.”
“No, not much.” Strangely, the thought that Jeff had been on a date with her little sister last night didn’t bother her. A sign this relationship was firmly planted in the friend zone. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Elsie grabbed her purse and followed Jeff out. He put his arm around her and hugged her to him. “What do you think, ice cream after this?”
Elsie couldn’t help calculating out how expensive this date was getting. Dinner, about forty dollars, movie tickets, popcorn and drinks, another forty, and now ice cream? Jeff waved her off when she’d offered to pay for her ticket, reminding her that thanks to Will Darcy, he didn’t have his license and she was the one driving them everywhere. It was only fair he treated her to everything else.
But that only made her wonder how he managed to pay for things. Did he have a job? Was it rude to ask? Jeff seemed to be on an extended vacation with Denny, crashing at Denny’s cousin’s house.
“I could go for a little ice cream, but it’s my treat.”
Jeff pinned her with a look. “Not a chance. What are you so worried about?”
How could she word this properly? “Jeff, I know you’re probably hurting for money right now, and that’s fine. I won’t think less of you if we have to split the tab. Or maybe do something not so expensive next time.”
Jeff opened the door to the theater, leading her out to the parking lot. “You really aren’t Lydia.”
“Lydia likes to be taken care of, but I’m an independent girl.”
Jeff smiled. “Will sent my life into the toilet, it’s true. But I’m okay now. I promise.”
“Then the ice cream is on me?” Elsie insisted.
Jeff rolled his eyes. “Of course not. I didn’t even tell you the best part. Denny and I decided to become day traders, and it’s going really well. So, now that you know I have a job, will you quit henpecking me and let me finish this date with my ego intact?” He grinned in the way that made it seem like everything in the world was good.
“All right, big shot. But be warned, I’m ordering two scoops. And possibly fudge sauce too.”
***
“Will, darling!” Caroline breezed out of her BMW and jogged up the driveway in her three-inch heels. “What a coincidence we’re both in town at the same time. I’m headed to Florida next weekend for a Kappa Sigma reunion. We’re all staying in a condo together. It’s going to be amazing. Here, be a dear and take this cake dish from me and I’ll tell you all about it.”
