7. Enzo
Enzo
I’m preoccupied when I walk into Trudy’s Diner, so I just nod when Merilee asks, “This table good for you?”
“You avoiding us or just got too much on your mind for company at lunch?” Rhett asks from the table right next to me where he’s having lunch with Mav Grinberry.
“Sorry. I didn’t even see y’all sitting there.”
Mav laughs. “I’d ask how Joni’s kitchen remodel is going, but I’m afraid she might be the source of the problem.”
“No, she’s not a problem. The project, however, is about to be stalled. Just left city hall, trying to expedite the permit. You can guess how that went.”
Rhett waves me over. “I know exactly how it went because I remember when Glynnis had you trying to rush permits for her. Come sit with us.”
I move over to join them.
“The city needs to stop bending over for these out-of-town builders and investors,” Mav says.
“You’re not wrong,” I agree. “But when the homeowner changes course after the project begins, I’m stuck at the back of the line again. There’s no way around it.”
“Is she adding on to the house?” Rhett asks.
“All we’re doing is bumping out one wall to add a bay window. You’d think it was a complete teardown with all the new permit requirements.”
Mav nods. “Sabrina’s been talking about a bay window for months. She might’ve been the influence.”
“Well, call me when you’re ready to do it. Or better yet, when you’re several months away from being ready so I can apply for the permit.”
Having company for lunch eases my frustration with the permit office, but eating with these two guys has me anxious for other reasons, being extra careful not to slip and mention anything about Joni’s phone mishap in the bubble bath the other night.
Or rather, my hand mishap. Or my fool mouth that I couldn’t keep shut before I drove away.
She was in the pasture with Oliver this morning when I went to her house to confirm my measurements for the bay window. I measured quickly. She was still out there when I left. Part of me was grateful, but another part of me is hoping she’ll be inside when I swing back by.
I’ve got to make sure the countertops are being installed on schedule. We don’t need another delay. The installers should be there by now. Plus, I need to follow up with her about the appliance order.
And I’d really like to see her and hear her voice, to look into her eyes and try to figure out what she’s thinking.
She still hasn’t fired me, so I assume she’s still speaking to me.
I could be direct and ask her how she feels about my confession.
But I’m not sure I’m ready to hear her say it out loud if I’m wrong and she doesn’t feel the same attraction.
No, I’d rather just torture myself trying to read her mind. Makes so much more sense.
Our trucks pass each other on Main Street. It’s impossible to get answers through a windshield. We exchange waves and keep driving. She’s pulling Oliver’s trailer, which means she’ll be in town for a while. She should have new soapstone countertops when she gets home.
I could stick around to go over the care and cleaning instructions, but it’d be obvious I waited around just so I could see her. I’ll call her this evening to make sure she’s happy with them. We can talk about the appliance order then, too. Hopefully, the rice saved her phone.
Maybe I’ll drive over instead, just in case. I should take her something. Not flowers. Too much. I don’t know what kind of wine she likes. I’ve got all afternoon to figure it out.
The counters look amazing with her new cabinets.
I hope she likes them as much as I do. The backsplash goes up tomorrow, and I definitely think she made the right choice with the tile swap.
She’s got good taste. It may take her a while to decide, but her decisions have all been great.
Can’t fault her for waiting until she’s sure before she commits.
It’s nearly seven when I drive back to her place. The lights are on, so I go to the door. I’ve gotten so used to letting myself in, I almost reach for the handle. Thank goodness I catch myself and knock.
Joni answers the door with a smile.
“I take it you like your new counters?”
“I’m obsessed, but . . .”
She walks toward the kitchen and I follow, hoping she’s not about to point out some flaw I missed earlier. “But what?”
“When are my appliances coming back inside?”
“The old ones?”
“Yeah. The new ones won’t be here for nearly a month.”
“So, you did place the order. That’s good. I didn’t think about bringing the old ones back in, but that makes sense. How about this weekend? That’ll give the backsplash grout time to cure.”
“Okay.” She nods at my hand. “Is that for me?”
“Yeah.” I give her the bag of rice I’ve been holding. “You cut open a whole new bag the other night and shoved your phone inside it instead of pouring some in a bowl, so I thought I’d replace it. I feel bad for not having quicker reflexes and catching your phone before it hit the water.”
“I was too panicked to think about using a bowl. It’s not your fault my phone ended up in the tub, but I am getting pretty tired of salads, so thanks for the rice. Even if I can’t cook myself any until this weekend.”
She wields her eyes like weapons, but I can’t bring her appliances back in tonight. It’s not a one-man job.
“Let me buy you dinner.”
“Right now?”
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
“No, but I was just teasing about not being able to cook until this weekend, just giving you a hard time.”
“I’m not teasing about dinner. Let’s go eat.”
“I, um, we probably shouldn’t.”
“Why shouldn’t we? I promise no inappropriate accidents.”
“Well, if you’re just going to be boring, why would I go?”
“I never said anything about being boring. I just said there wouldn’t be any accidents.”
“Give me five minutes to change?”
“You look perfect to me, but I’ll be in the living room when you’re ready.”
I’ve bought a lot of bags of rice, but this is the first time one has ever gotten me a date.