that loud and clear.
On the way back home, Fuzzy made it apparent that her
charge for advice was chicken on a stick. She parked her rump
in front of a Chinese restaurant and wouldn’t budge. I looped
her leash around a hydrant and stepped inside to place her order,
keeping a close eye on her through the window.
Fuzzy was in agreement that we should wait to eat until we
got home, though she nuzzled the bag every time she came near.
After she’d taken a drink to clear her palate of the ball, she went
to work on the chicken that I seriously doubted she even chewed.
I sat on the couch with my fried rice, and after she’d finished
her meal, she joined me. “I don’t have Grease or High School
Musical, but I do have Mame with Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur.
Will that suffice?”
Fuzzy wasn’t sure, so I played it anyway. She was asleep
before the movie began, and I was too shortly after. Around
eleven, I heard a soft knock on the door.
Pitifully Ugly
“I’m so sorry to have dumped her on you without any
warning,” Hailey said as she stepped inside. “I was just going to
leave her with the radio on, but she’d been stuck inside for most
of the day, and I was worried she would burn energy by taking
apart the furniture.”
“She was no trouble at all, and I aired her out for you.” I
wanted to be grumpy with her, but she looked so apologetic that it
stole my steam. “We spent a nice afternoon in the park.”
“Can I make it up to you by buying you dinner tomorrow
night?” Hailey asked, looking hopeful.
“That sounds good,” I said around a yawn, trying to appear
casual.
She thanked me again, then ushered Fuzzy into the hall.
Fuzzy shot me a look before I closed the door that said, I won’t
tell her what you said, but you need to get me more chicken.
Robin Alexander
Chapter 13
Fireworks in February.
The following evening, Fuzzy was perched in front of a new
TV and John Travolta was singing about summer lovin’. I think
she winked at me as Hailey closed the door behind us.
Hailey asked me to pick the restaurant, and I decided on
a quiet Italian place a few blocks from our building. I sipped
cabernet, thinking it was a blessing that Fuzzy couldn’t actually
talk, but she’d get more chicken from me anyway.
“What would you suggest?” Hailey asked as she perused the
menu. “I’m not really in the mood for any seafood.”
“Then I’d suggest the lasagna or the spaghetti with meatballs.
Steer clear of the Italian sausage unless your stomach is made of
cast iron.”
Hailey nodded. “Thank you for the warning.”
She decided on the lasagna, and I the spaghetti and meatballs.
We split the portions so we could have both. “So how’d the work
thing go last night?” I asked and wanted to add, and why did you
attend with your ex-husband?
Hailey peered over her wineglass at me. “It was a company
banquet. That’s why Mark was in town. We work for the same
company.”
I raised a brow at the revelation.
Hailey met my gaze head-on. “That’s why I asked for the
transfer. We worked too closely together.”
I was privately pleased with that particular revelation.
Pitifully Ugly
“Did you have a good time?”
Hailey took a sip of her wine and shook her head. “I never
enjoy those things. I see everyone at work enough, and I’m not
fond of the forced socialization. We get a carefully worded memo
every year that basically says be there or else.”
“I’m so thankful that I don’t have to work in a corporation. I
think I’d feel just like you do.”
“How did your date go on Friday?” Hailey asked reluctantly.
“She’s a veterinarian. She specializes in cats, or I’d give you
her number for Fuzzy.”
Hailey pursed her lips. “I have a vet that I’m happy with, but
thanks.” I watched as she twirled pasta onto her fork, then laid it
down. “Did you find the spark you were looking for?” she asked
after taking a healthy swallow of her wine.
“I found a spark.” It wasn’t with Marci, though, but I didn’t
tell her that. Guilt washed over me as she coughed into her napkin
and didn’t meet my gaze.
“Marvin told me you found him,” I said, changing the subject.
Her discomfort was too difficult to watch, and I wasn’t sure how
I was going to go about easing it. “Your hair looks great, by the
way.”“Thank you,” she said with a weak smile. “He took a couple
of inches off and shaped it a bit. I didn’t realize that you were his
boss, though.”
“My sister, Kalen, is more of his boss. She runs the
businesses.”
“Yes, four of them that you own together.” Hailey wiped her
mouth and set her napkin on the table. “You said you were an
accountant.”
I saw where this was going and how easy it was to omit
information that you weren’t ready to share. “I do all the accounting
for our salons, and yes, I’m also a business owner. I didn’t tell you
that upfront because I didn’t want to sound like I was boasting.
It’s pretentious, and I hate it when people do that.”
Hailey nodded. “You’re right, it would’ve sounded boastful,
and I understand why you didn’t tell me. So…when are you going
to see Marci again?”
Robin Alexander
I sighed, weary of playing games. “I’m not. We don’t have
any plans to date.”
Hailey’s brows knitted together. “I thought you said there was
a spark.”
“Not with Marci.” I pushed my plate away and stared at the
wine in my glass. “Mark seems like a really sweet guy.”
Hailey shook her head at the change of topic. “He is. I hope he
meets someone that will cherish him. Mark deserves to be with
someone that will make him happy.”
“So do you,” I said, glancing away. There was warmth in
her voice when she spoke of him that disconcerted me. “Are you
certain that you’re gay?”
Hailey looked taken aback by the question and a tad peeved.
“Positively. You’re not the only one that can appreciate the
warmth and softness of a woman’s skin or the sweetness of her
lips.” She blinked for a moment, we both did, then the look of
annoyance returned to her face. “Are you ready to go? I’m feeling
a bit tired.”
I nearly had to run after her as we left the restaurant. “Did I
piss you off with that question?” I asked after we’d walked two
blocks in silence.
“Yes, you did, Shannon.”
“Why?”
She stalked on without answering.
I caught her by the arm as she unlocked the gate. “Tell me,”
I pleaded.
“I’ve had to answer that question for family and Mark so
many times that I’m so…damn weary.” Her eyes began to water.
“I would’ve never cheated if I’d been straight.” Hailey threw her
arms up, pulling away. “Inside I knew who…what I was, but it