“You didn’t tell anyone?”
“Not a soul. And speaking of Ellen, it was the same year she came out on her show and everybody was talking about it. I was terrified I would say the wrong thing and my friends would find out.”
“Did you date guys?”
“Sure. Had a boyfriend at the time. Like I said, it all made sense to me then. I broke up with him the next weekend.”
“Were you sleeping together?”
Jordan laughed. “No. Doing everything but that.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Gross.”
Annie laughed too, but to Jordan’s relief didn’t ask any other questions. Jordan, however, had one for her.
“Are you ever going to tell me who the father is?”
Annie met her gaze. “I suppose I’m going to have to someday, yes.”
“It isn’t Derrick, is it?”
“God, no.” Annie looked startled that she would even suggest that. “I didn’t want to have sex with him when we were married. Why would I sleep with him now?”
Of course, that statement brought all sorts of questions to mind, but Annie pointed at the grill and Jordan turned, seeing smoke seeping out.
“I suppose it’s time to rescue those,” she said as she got up.
“I’ll get the potatoes,” Annie offered. “Or did you want to eat inside?”
“I prefer out here, if it’s okay with you.”
“Fine with me.”
Conversation over dinner drifted to less personal things, and they ended the evening with a quick walk down to the pier.
“I’ve got to do something with this,” Jordan said. “A lot of boards need to be replaced.”
“Have you walked to the end?”
“Yes and it’s a miracle it didn’t collapse on me,” she said. “I want to take the Jet Skis out for a spin too. My father said that Matt had them serviced in March so they should be good to go.” She glanced at Annie. “Do you ride?”
Annie shook her head. “The only time I’ve been on one was at Matt’s party last year. Brandon took me out and proceeded to dump me in the water after one spin. He was quite proud of himself.”
“I’ll take you out if you want,” she said. “It’s been years since I’ve been on one. I’m sure my speed will be more grandmother than teenager.”
“Thanks. That would be fun.”
Chapter Thirteen
Annie looked up from the computer when she heard someone clear her throat. She was shocked to see Suzanne staring at her. She’d been avoiding her for the last two weeks. She plastered a smile on her face now.
“Hey, stranger,” she said.
“What? You start working full time and you don’t have time for me anymore?”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
“Well, how about I steal you away for lunch? Britney is with her grandmother today so I’m free.”
Annie wasn’t sure if she was prepared to face Suzanne yet, but she could think of no excuse to decline the offer.
“Sounds good,” she said. “Give me a couple of minutes. I was about to place an order.”
“Okay. I’ll go rummage through your new T-shirts. Come find me.”
Annie nodded and glanced at the screen, trying to remember what she was about to add to the order. Oh, yeah…flip-flops. Jordan’s idea.
“Hey, you.”
She smiled as Jordan sauntered into the office. She looked so much different now than when she’d first come to the store. The dress pants and business suits were replaced with shorts and Fat Larry T-shirts. She hadn’t yet taken to wearing flip-flops, but the water sandals fit in quite nicely.
“Hey. You’re early. Good.”
“Good?”
“Suzanne is here. Wants to go to lunch,” she said.
“Oh.” Jordan raised her eyebrows. “You going to tell her?”
Annie took a deep breath. “I suppose.” She finished the order and closed the laptop. “And don’t forget, I have my first doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
Jordan nodded. “You sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
“Don’t you think one of us should be here at the store? Besides, it’s in Corpus.”
“What about your mother?”
Annie shook her head. “She’s still kinda not speaking to me.”
“Well, she’ll come around. Give her time.”
“I know.” Annie stood and walked around the desk, pausing to wrap her fingers around Jordan’s arm and squeeze it lightly. “Thank you. See you later.”
“Have fun.”
Annie met her gaze and smiled. “If only.”
She found Suzanne where she said she’d be and like most customers, Suzanne simply tossed the T-shirt she’d been looking at back on top of the others. Annie had to resist the urge to fold it up neatly again.
“Where to?”
“Mexican food,” Suzanne said. “Let’s go across the street to Pepe’s.”
Pepe’s was crowded, as usual, but they were able to snag a table for two on the side patio. They had a view of the marina, but the June day was warm. Annie adjusted the colorful umbrella to shade them.
“So how’s the new boss?” Suzanne asked as she added salt to the basket of warm chips that were placed between them.
“Jordan? She’s great. Completely different personality than Matt, that’s for sure.”
Suzanne broke a chip in half before dunking it into the salsa. “How so?”
“Oh, she’s more serious, more mature. Organized. Neat. Matt just did things on a whim. She doesn’t have his playfulness, though. At least, not that she’s shown.”
“So you’ve been busy? I tried calling a couple of times.”
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back.” Annie bit her lip, hesitating. “I kinda…well, I have some news.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. First of all, I moved out from my parents’ house last week.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No. And I…I moved in with Jordan. To Matt’s old place on the bay.”
Suzanne’s eyes widened slightly. “Why?”
“Well, my mother…she didn’t take the news about me being pregnant very well.”
Suzanne spit out the water she’d just taken a sip of. “What? Pregnant?”
Annie nodded. “It appears that way, yes.”
Suzanne’s hand touched her chest and for a few seconds she appeared speechless. Then she leaned closer, her voice a whisper. “Who’s the father?”
“Matt.”
“Oh, my God,” she nearly shrieked. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I was.” She reached across the table and squeezed Suzanne’s hand. “I haven’t told anyone yet. About Matt, I mean. I know I have to, but the time hasn’t been right.”
“You haven’t told his sister?”
“No. I don’t want to just blurt it out.”
Suzanne shook her head several times. “You realize Derrick is going to flip out, don’t you? I mean…flip out.”
“I know. And when he finds out it was Matt, he’s going to be doubly pissed. They were friends. He’ll look at it as betrayal, even though we’ve been divorced four years.” She pointed her finger at Suzanne. “And that’s why I’m threatening you within an inch of your life,” she said. “Because if you tell Derrick, I will hunt you down.”
“I won’t be the one to tell Derrick. I don’t need that drama,” Suzanne said with a wave of her hand.
“Promise?”
“Of course. But I am…well, I’m simply blown away.” A smile lit her face. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant. This is so exciting!”
“Exciting? No, it’s not. I’m not sure I really believe it.” She pushed the chips aside. “I’m not through with college yet. I’m basically homeless. The father is…is deceased. My mother is not speaking to me. My father told me he was disappointed in me. So, no, it’s not exciting in the least.”
Suzanne waved her protest away. “Your mother is only worried about what the people at her church are going to say. Maybe now she’ll quit badgering you to go to church with her.”