“Yeah. Thanks.”
As he cracked open a bottle and handed it over, he asked, “So, have you given any thought about whether you’re going to call Elizabeth?”
I’d started to take a sip and nearly sputtered. “Dude.”
He settled across from me with his own beer dangling from his hand. “Is that a no?”
“I dunno.” I twirled my fork in the noodles. “I’m just so tired of lies.” I took a bite and groaned in satisfaction. “This is delicious.”
He beamed. Cooking hadn’t been his passion back in college, but he’d certainly found his calling.
“Whatever happened with your last job?” He tore off a hunk of garlic bread. “Did your boss ever figure out his wife came onto you and not the other way around?”
I rolled my eyes at the whole reason I’d needed to look for work in the first place. “He’s in denial.” I lifted my bottle. “I’m lucky he didn’t spike my chances in other markets by spreading vicious lies about me.”
“Letting you go wasn’t bad enough?”
“Could’ve been worse.” I took a swig of beer. “Taught me to avoid any situation where I might be accused of inappropriate behavior.”
“I mean, obviously, but that was hardly your fault.”
I didn’t want to talk about it. “So what about you and Chelsea? Did you run into her again?”
“As a matter of fact…”
“Oh?” I leaned in. “Do tell.”
“It’s just that, when I have her attention, I get the feeling she likes me. Any other woman and I’d push a little harder.”
I snorted. “Sorry. That one’s too easy.” Then I couldn’t resist myself. “Like you, Easy Lover.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“But for real, you should probably forget about that one. She seemed like a dead end.”
“Trying to.” He sighed. “So what do you have planned tomorrow?”
I downed the rest of my beer. “I have an appointment to look at some rentals in the morning.”
“Cool. I’ve made some granola bars, and I can set the timer on the coffee clock. I’ll try not to wake you.”
“Careful or I might never leave.”
* * *
Thursday, the resident meteorologist, Bob Laslow, met me with an outstretched hand. “Glad Shelby took me up on my recommendation. I hope you’ll like it here.”
“Are you moving to another market?”
“Retiring.”
“Oh.” It surprised me. He didn’t look much older than fifty-something.
He gave his lower back a pat. “Been fighting this damn slipped disk. Figured it was time to move out near my daughter in Lynchburg.”
I didn’t know whether to congratulate him or offer my condolences. “Well, I hope that works out for you.”
“Let me show you around the equipment.”
