“He has this amazing rim of golden yellow around his pupil that separates the black from deep blue. It’s like a solar eclipse. I can’t stop staring.” Lou looked up into the sky for a moment, then back at Gertrude. “And a wet shirt looks exceptional on him, too. As my mom would’ve said, ‘I wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crackers.’ ”
Gertrude laughed and clapped her hands together. “Aha. The truth is out. We must meet this love.” Gertrude’s smile revealed how much she enjoyed sharing these little bits of their lives. Lou returned the sentiment. In so many ways, Gertrude and Otto had filled in for her parents this last year. While they’d only known each other a short time, Lou enjoyed having someone to check up on and who checked up on her.
Lou bent to pick a few more leaves and chewed the inside of her cheek. “I could; it might be fun—if Sue and Harley can control themselves. Maybe a barbecue? Would you be up for that, Gertrude? I’d have it on my patio. Something relaxed, where everyone can get to know everyone else.”
“Ah, Liebchen. We’ll leave the late nights to the young.” Gertrude’s hand trembled as she sipped her lemonade. “Bring your young man into the restaurant sometime—then we’ll meet him properly. Besides, then your barbecue can be the double date Sue really wants.” Gertrude’s lips twitched upward.
Sue stood up suddenly, braids racing to catch up with her head. “What? Why am I getting dragged into this? Clearly I’m not the only one who talks.” Sue looked at Lou, then let her suppressed laughter escape. “We are quite the pair. You have the hots for a guy who can’t find your mouth, and Harley and I couldn’t figure out how to repopulate the planet after Armageddon. Pathetic.”
Lou gave Sue a quick side hug.
“We’re two bright and creative ladies—I’m confident we’ll sort it out.” Lou paused. “Should we? Have a barbecue?” Lou said, tilting her head sideways to emphasize the question.
“Absolutely . . . I want to meet this guy. And I can’t wait to see what Harley does.”
“You don’t think Harley will scare him off, do you? He can be a little intimidating when he wants.”
“If you like him, Harley would never do that.” Sue shook her head, then continued. “When should we do it?”
Lou paused, closed her eyes, and used her fingers to count out dates.
“How about the first Tuesday in September?”
Gertrude looked confused and asked, “But won’t you need to work at the restaurant?”
Sue and Lou exchanged a look. Lou said, “Starting in September, we won’t be open on Tuesdays anymore. We can’t really afford it.”
“First Sundays and Mondays. Now Tuesdays? Liebchen, why are you keeping it open?”
“We don’t need to close it yet. There’s still time.” Lou tromped to the other side of the garden and began weeding, ripping handfuls of crabgrass and clover from the earth. Flecks of dirt flew high and flurried to the ground.
Gertrude watched Lou’s reaction and nodded her head. “I see. She doesn’t want to scatter her family to the winds.”
“She won’t close until we all have jobs lined up. She handed out recommendation letters. The busboys and waitstaff are starting to leave for better-paying jobs.” Sue leaned in closer to Gertrude. “And she worries about you two; worries you won’t have anywhere to go that will take care of you like she does.”
“Bah. Those are excuses. She is afraid. She needs something to nudge her confidence, give her a safety net.” Gertrude looked up at Otto, who nodded in agreement at his wife’s astute wisdom. The three watched Lou attack the verge.
• • • • •
Al looked down at the text message.
Next Tuesday @ 6, my place. Me, you, & 2 friends. Come hungry.
He looked up at the dark glass in front of him. Moisture beaded on the other side, condensing on the cooled window. He strode to the kitchen to refresh his tea and check the time. Twelve thirty. Lou’s up kind of late, he thought. Wonder why. He felt a twinge thinking she might be on a date, a little jealous other people spent time with her. He poured fresh water into his electric kettle and flipped it on.
An invitation to dinner had to be a good sign, right? He had worried she believed Devlin’s story and considered taking him back. If she believed him, why wouldn’t she? They had a history, he had a successful career and superhero good looks. But Al was the one with an invitation. Ace!
Al leaned against the counter, his eyes tracing a familiar path to the cast-iron frying pan hanging on the wall. It looked as if a small child had decorated it with stickers. He had added to his magnet collection. His brat and Chihuly now kept company with a State Fair cow, a red Summerfest smiley, a Bernie Brewer, and a cheese wedge. Each magnet a memory, a reminder of everything good about his life in Milwaukee, and each one connected him to Lou.
He should probably reply. Al picked up his phone on the counter, read Lou’s text again, then typed a reply.
Still awake? I’ll be there. Can’t wait.
He watched the text go and waited, hoping for the little beep. Less than a minute passed, and it came.
Go to bed, it’s late.
Al laughed and replied.
I’m a night owl. Best time to work. What’s your excuse?
Beep.
Me too. Makes AMs rough. Done working, need to shower.
Seeing the word “shower” sent off an explosion of detailed images in his mind. Al’s reaction was immediate and a little painful. With a deep exhale he typed.
Need help?
Then erased it.
Then typed,
I’ll bring the wine.
And erased that.
With a sigh, he typed,
Sweet dreams.
And hit Send. He needed a shower, too, of the chilly variety.
Beep.
You too.
• CHAPTER SIXTEEN •
Lou gnawed on a fingernail as she watched Al and Harley out the kitchen window while a vase filled with water. They stood on her patio, discussing something, apparently with gusto. Harley could intimidate people without realizing it, and she didn’t want Al scared away.
“If you keep eating your nail, you won’t want any Cuban pork,” Sue said as she stepped next to Lou. “He’s nice. I can see why you’ve kept him to yourself. With an ass like that, all the waitstaff would be after him.”
“Especially Billy.” Lou smiled, thinking of her best waiter. Billy was so efficient, with business slowing he could work most nights by himself with the help of two busboys. That kept him happy because he earned more tips, and kept her happy because she only had to pay one server.
“Should I go out and save him?” Lou asked.
“From what? Harley?”
Lou nodded, moving on to her next finger.
“Harley loves him.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because he’s still talking to him. You know that. If Harley didn’t like him, he would turn his back and not speak another word to him. Then, if he hurt you, Harley would crush him.”
“He never crushed Devlin.”
“Devlin would sue. Harley’s protective, not stupid. But he’d do it if you asked.”
“Honestly, I don’t think I care enough anymore. He just doesn’t matter, even after he explained about that morning.” Lou opened the oven to stir the Cuban black beans, scenting the kitchen with garlic and bacon. Sue finished frying up the plantains and sprinkled them with salt.
“You’re really over him? I expected a longer mourning period.”
“Yeah, I think I got over him months ago. He was convenient and safe, so I didn’t see a reason to change. He sent me tickets for a play downtown.” Lou pointed her chin toward the end of the counter where a pristine white envelope lay. “He keeps trying to ‘sweeten the deal.’ His words, not mine. Honestly, I should send him a thank-you note for the birthday debacle.”