I raised a brow. “Did she tell you what color socks I’m wearing?”
“No, but I’m sure they’re black.”
Laughing, I said, “You’re right. They are. And I haven’t made my final decision, yet.”
With a furrowed brow, she asked, “What are you waiting on?”
The bell above the door to the restaurant jingled, and turned my head just in time to see Angel step into the building. Our eyes locked from across the dining room and she smiled. That wide grin slipped when she noticed I wasn’t alone.
“Who is that?” Ryleigh asked.
Even Ryleigh couldn’t tear my attention from the woman who’d changed everything in such a short time. I felt the compulsion to explain myself to Angel, assure her that this wasn’t what it looked like. It was definitely a new feeling for me.
“Coop?” Ry called.
“Give me a sec,” I whispered, before I stood and approached Angel. “Hey.”
Angel glanced at Ryleigh, then back at me. “Hi.”
“I didn’t think you were in town.”
The last time we talked, Angel said she wasn’t sure she’d be able to come up this weekend, something about a big family dinner.
She swallowed visibly. “I wanted to come see the drywall.”
“Ah. I can take you by the house now, if you want.”
Angel retreated back a step. “If you had other plans… I don’t want to intrude.”
Unable to stop myself from touching her, I squeezed her hand. “You’re not. Come on.” I led her over to the table, where Ryleigh was watching me intently. “Angel, this is Ryleigh.”
Angel smiled and waved. “Hi.”
“Hey!” Ryleigh stood and dropped her napkin onto the table. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same,” Angel said.
“Do you live in Rosewood Heights?” Ryleigh asked.
Angel looked at me for a split second, then answered, “Not yet. Cooper is working on my aunt’s house.”
Ryleigh’s eyes widened, and I knew she was putting the pieces together. We’d talked about the Fox house, but I hadn’t mentioned anything specifically about Angel. “Ah. So your aunt was Ms. Fox?” She gave Angel her condolences. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Angel thanked her. “Cooper and his team have done an amazing job so far. My aunt would’ve been so happy with it.”
They segued into a short discussion about the house, while I tried to figure out why I couldn’t seem to add anything to the conversation. It seemed surreal to see Ryleigh and Angel talking. Now, they were complimenting each other’s clothes.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast,” Angel said.
“Girl,” Ry waved a dismissive hand. “You didn’t. I was actually getting ready to grab my baby and Mama Lil and get up out of here.”
As if on cue, Mama Lil emerged from the back of the restaurant, baby in tow. She walked over to them. “Hi, Angel. Hungry?”
“I was going to place a carryout order,” Angel told her.
Mama Lil set the still sleeping baby back in the stroller. “Okay. I’ll take your order, sweetie.”
Angel stepped over to the register with Mama Lil. Once she was out of earshot, Ryleigh said, “I think I have my answer now.”
