CHAPTER 2
“Oh, my word! What a disaster!” Emma said as soon as she closed the passenger door.
Jake started the car. “You’re telling me?” he agreed. “When did your friend become such a teetotaler?”
“What? At least my friend didn’t down almost a six-pack during dinner!” Emma said.
Jake rolled his eyes. “He liked her until she brought up Ice.”
“How was I supposed to know that was something that bothered him? I’ve heard you call him that before?”
“When?”
Emma shrugged, “I don’t remember. I’ve heard you talk about it, I guess.”
“Well, nobody’s called him that since high school. I’ve known him since we were ten. We’ve called each other a lot of things over the years.”
“Lainey’s going to kill me Monday at work.”
“I’ll be lucky if Robert ever comes over to our house to watch a game again. I can’t believe you talked me into this!”
They came to a red light. Both were still, as if the light had silenced their tongues. When the light turned green, Emma said, “He didn’t even try to talk to her. Why on earth would you think he liked her?”
“Because even after five beers he wasn’t funny or even trying to be.”
“Are you sure he just wasn’t mad at you...us?” she corrected herself.
He thought for a moment. “Mmmm. Maybe.”
“Maybe what?”
“Maybe he was mad?” Jake sighed. “I’m texting him tomorrow, and I’m blaming you for talking me into this. Robert was married, so he’ll understand.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Oh no, you’re not throwing me under the bus. Yes, I presented the idea, but you fully supported it and went along with it too.”
Jake cringed. “Damn it. I know, I just never thought it would have been as bad as it was!”
“It was really bad, wasn’t it?” She crossed her arms.
Jake nodded, “I’ll apologize tomorrow to him. Let’s agree never to do anything like that again, okay?”
“Agreed. I mean, really. What were we thinking?”
“We thought they were both ready to meet someone new,” he said in defense.
“Robert is so not ready. He has no social skills.”
“What about Lainey? She just sat there sucking on her straw. Was she trying to be sexy? Cause it wasn’t.”
Emma waved his comment away. “God, no. She was nervous, and didn’t know what to do when he wouldn’t even look or talk to her!”
“He looked at her.”
“When?”
“That’s why I think he liked her, because he froze. But to be honest, he used to be way better with the ladies when we were younger. I’m not sure who that dude was tonight. He’s way out of practice.”
“If we divorced, would you be like that to women?”
“Like what?”
“An asshole?”
“Shit, Emma, give the guy a break. He picked up the check and walked her to her car.”
Emma shook her head. “I’m sure the two of them alone went way worse without us there to drive the conversation and referee. I can’t wait until Monday. I have to apologize to Lainey.” Emma pulled her phone from her purse and sent Lainey a text.
I’m so sorry about tonight. I will never put you in that situation again. Ever!
Lainey responded, All good. He wasn’t that bad.
Emma read the response out loud.
“See, it’s fine,” Jake said.
“Text him.”
“Who?”
“Robert! You need to text Robert. I want to see how he responds!”
Jake shook his head. “I’m not doing that.”
“Why not?”
Jake scrunched his face as he turned onto the highway. “That’s something bros don’t do.”
“You send him texts. What are you talking about?”
“Mmm, I think I’ll just leave it alone.”
“For goodness’ sake! Give me your phone. You’re driving anyway.”
“I’m not giving you my phone!”
“I’m just going to say, ‘sorry bout tonight.’ I want to see if he responds.”
“Mmm, I don’t know,” Jake hesitated.
Emma rolled her eyes. “A simple text. That’s all I’m asking.”
Jake knew his wife would not let up. He pulled his phone and sent a quick text.
“What’d you say?”
“I said what you told me.”
“No, there’s no way you typed it that quickly. I want to know exactly what you sent him.”
“’Sorry, man.’ That’s what I sent.”
“Has he responded yet?”
“Emma, that information has to go all the way to a tower and then up to a satellite in space, then back down before he receives it. Plus, we’re both in my truck, and the Bluetooth would pick it up. You’ll hear the notification too if he responds.”
Ping. The AI navigation voice spoke over the speakers. “You’ve received a text from ... Robert. Would you like me to read it to you?”
“Yes!” Emma answered.
The automated voice complied. “Robert says, ‘No worries, I got her number. Tell your wife she’s got hot friends. Too bad she ended up with the ugliest of mine.’”
“See, he likes her. And those beers finally kicked his sarcasm into gear,” Jake added.
“Good.” Emma sat back in her seat, satisfied. “Maybe that went better than we thought.”
“Maybe, but we’re still never setting anyone up again.”
“Do you think you’ll be his best man, and I’ll be her matron of honor?”
“Slow down, crazy lady. Don’t start calling florists just yet. The best thing we can hope for is Lainey gives him a little.”
Emma gasped and slugged Jake’s arm.
He chuckled and flinched as he turned into their driveway. “Hey, if you want to spank me, wait until we get inside!”
* * *
Lainey made blueberry pancakes the next morning. Cora cut them into pieces and distributed portions to the children. Once the children were settled in the dining room, Lainey and Cora returned to the kitchen. Lainey was cleaning the skillet in the sink, and Cora poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Well, spill the beans. What happened last night?” Cora and the kids were already in bed by the time Lainey came home a little after ten. “I heard you come in, but I figured I’d just ask you this morning.”
“It was weird.”
“Weird good, or weird bad?” Cora asked.
Lainey explained how she’d made a complete fool of herself talking to him outside before she knew who he was. Then how he didn’t look or talk to her the entire time, yet walked her to the car and apologized.
Cora laughed. “He must really like you then.”
“I don’t know. It was a lot to digest. I’m not sure he wasn’t just trying to make me feel better, since he’s close to Jake and Emma.”
“No, he likes you. He told you so. Men are direct, Lainey. He wouldn’t have said it if he hadn’t meant it. He’s going to call you,” Cora smiled, cradling her warm mug.
Lainey frowned. “If he does, I don’t know what I’ll say.”
“Do you like him?”
“He’s out of my league.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s tall, muscular and good-looking.”
“So? How is that out of your league? You’re tall and good looking, Sis.”
“Eh. I’m tall and pudgy.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “You’re not! You are gorgeous, and I was so happy to see you wear that dress last night, because it showed off your beautiful long legs. We both got Mom’s pretty face, but you got Dad’s height.”
Lainey sighed. Cora was being nice. “Let’s face it. I’m not the same person I was when I met Geoff.”
“You met Geoff fifteen years ago, in your twenties. Of course, you’re not the same person. How could you be?”
“I don’t think I’m ready.”
“Lainey, you’re still young. You’re just a more refined, sophisticated version now.”
Lainey poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. “You’re being nice.”
“And you need to find some confidence.”
* * *
“The snow leopard is a solitary animal. The breeding males and females come together only during the breeding season. The young will remain with their mother for up to two years before venturing into the wild on their own,” the zookeeper told the group.
Lainey had her phone out, taking pics of Viv with Cora’s sons, Lennon and Dylan. It buzzed, startling her. A number with an odd area code came up on the screen. It took a moment then she realized it could be Robert. She slapped her sister’s arm. “I think he’s calling.”
“Who?”
“The guy from last night,” she said anxiously.
“Ooh, Vanilla Ice himself?”
“I’m going to let it go to voicemail.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “Answer it. Don’t be chicken.”
“You really think I should?” The phone continued to vibrate.
“Yes!” Cora yanked the phone from her hand and hit the answer icon. Then tossed it back to her.
Lainey fumbled and almost dropped it. “Hell...Hello.”
“Lainey?”
She took a breath. “Yes.”
“It’s Robert. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
The zookeeper spoke up, “Next is the Cougar. Cougars are known by many names, such as puma and mountain lion. They are solitary and secretive.”
“Lainey?” Robert said.
Cora winked at her and gathered up the children for the next exhibit.
“Yes...I mean, no. Not a bad time. I’m at the zoo in Salina with my family, sorry.”
“I can call back?”
“No...no. You’re fine. What’s up?” She was way more nervous than she needed to be and was afraid she sounded like it too.
“I wanted to ask you to dinner this coming week. What about Thursday night?”
“Um...Thursday?”
“Or if there’s another night? I’m on a cycle break for the rest of this coming week, so if there’s another night?” Emma had told her he was a drill sergeant stationed at Fort Riley.
“What about Tuesday?”
“Tuesday works for me. Can I pick you up, or would you like to meet, say, six-pm?”
“Actually, can it be seven? I close the bank that night.” Lainey cringed her face. She didn’t know why she’d said Tuesday. She could’ve made Thursday work. Why did she blurt out Tuesday?
“Sure. You want to meet at Mavericks?”
“Yes. Mavericks at seven on Thursd...I mean Tuesday! Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Okay, see you then.”
Lainey ended the call and exhaled. It was a cool fall day, but she was sweating.