Chapter 17
“Well, you got to see Drew,” Rarity said to Sam as they walked to the house. After finding the coat and its surprises, Sam had called Drew, who came to pick up the items.
Sam nodded but then added, “At first, he asked if I’d just give them to Jonathon. I had to explain to him that his father had just left. Sometimes I think making time to see me might just be too much for him to fit into his busy schedule.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. He does depend a lot on his dad at times.
Frankly, Jonathon loves it. He wants to be back in the action, but I know he’s torn between being here and being with Edith.
” Rarity paused, thinking about the father and son duo.
“Maybe Drew’s feeling the same push and pull between work and a personal life. ”
“Yeah, but Jonathon retired to be with Edith. And the kids, of course. Drew is a long way from retirement, and I’m not sure I want to be the little woman at home, waiting.
Especially when he has such a dangerous job.
An officer in Flagstaff was shot the other day.
By a kid. Law enforcement is a hard job.
He’s edgy all the time. I think it’s getting to him. ”
“Or he’s thinking about something else.” Rarity didn’t think Drew acted edgy the other day when it was just him and his dad at the shop.
But this afternoon, he had seemed a little jumpy when Sam was around.
She hoped he wasn’t rethinking his relationship, because before this discussion, Sam seemed happier than she’d ever been.
“I guess I’ll let it be for now. I don’t want to confront him in the middle of an investigation. He has enough on his mind. But did you see how he ran out of the bookstore as soon as he got the jacket? It’s weird, right?” Sam paused since Killer was busy with a scent in a patch of rocks.
Rarity had noticed his abrupt departure. “I’m sure the case has him busy, not to mention all the film people starting to leave this weekend. If it’s one of them, he needs to figure it out soon or they’ll all be back in California. You know the mayor is always clamoring about unnecessary travel.”
“Let’s just have a good evening.” Sam bumped her shoulder to Rarity’s. “When are we meeting Archer?”
“I thought I would have heard from him by now.” Rarity pulled out her phone and realized she’d missed a call and had a text message.
“And there’s the problem. The tour is running long.
This group decided to do a second go at the hike to see if they could beat their time.
So they’re eating, then going back out. He won’t be coming tonight. ”
“I bet he’s heartbroken not to be there,” Sam teased.
Rarity nodded. “He wasn’t excited last night, but these guys said tonight’s films are better.
Anyway, the money will be good on this tour.
He’s trying to get a down payment saved to buy a house he can flip.
With Drew’s help. I guess you and I are going to be doing a lot of girls’ nights once that happens. ”
“It could be worse. They could be at the bar playing pool or darts. I’ve dated one of those guys before and it’s all about FOMOOAGT.
Fear of missing out on a good time. We have to admit, we picked driven men to fall in love with.
” Sam laughed. “Maybe I just need to learn to swing a hammer or paint. We could paint this new house of theirs.”
“Sounds fun after a long day of dealing with running our businesses.” Rarity sighed then added, “The things we do for love.”
They changed into cute dresses and flats, fed Killer and turned on the television for him, then headed back into town. Rarity thought they still had time to grab a bite to eat, so they stopped at the Garnet.
“Malia’s working, so I’ll seat you in her area,” the bubbly hostess said as soon as they walked in. “I haven’t seen you two here forever. Where are the guys?”
“Working.” Sam put a hand on her forehead like she was about to faint. “So we’re here to party like we’re single.”
“Sure, you are.” The hostess giggled. “Anyway, I’ll tell Malia you’re here. White wine?”
“Perfect,” they said in unison.
When Malia came out, she had a basket of chips, guacamole, and salsa she set on the table along with the glasses of wine. “Hey, Darby’s throwing a I’m-not-being-stalked party on Sunday. You guys are in, right?”
“Sure, what do I need to bring?” Rarity pulled out her phone to put the event in her calendar.
“Nothing but you and a suit. She’s having Garnet cater it. So, potato bar. And of course, adult beverages. If you’re picky, you should bring your own.” Malia stared at Sam.
“Hey, I’m not picky. I just like what I like.” Sam grinned as she grabbed a chip. “I’m having the strip with baked potato and veggies. And a salad out first so I don’t inhale all these chips.”
“I’ll have the same, but with chicken. And ranch instead of the vinaigrette Sam’s having.” Rarity pushed the menu away from her.
“I don’t know why I even ask before putting the order in with you two. Did you see the salmon special? It’s Friday.”
“Oh, no, I’ll have that instead.” Rarity changed her order. “Thanks.”
“I’ll stay with the steak. Last time I went for blood work, my doc said I was anemic.” She handed Malia the menu. “My annual’s coming up and I’m feeling a little worn down again. I don’t want him to think I didn’t take his advice last year.”
“I’m not sure changing your eating habits now will fix a year of not taking his advice,” Rarity said, then saw the look Sam was giving her. “Fine, your body, your choice.”
“I think that’s a different motto, but whatever. I’ll get these in and bring out the salads. I’m so excited about the party. Katie’s invited guys from her classes. Maybe Mr. Right will show up and sweep me off my feet.”
“I thought you were dating someone, Dane O’Conner. What happened to him?” Rarity found it hard to keep track of Malia and her friends.
“Dane broke up with me before he joined the army. He said it wasn’t fair to ask me to wait or have a long-distance relationship. His loss, right?” She nodded to a man trying to get her attention. “We can chat about it on Sunday. I’ll be right back.”
Sam sipped her wine, avoiding eye contact.
“You knew about Malia and Dane breaking up. Why didn’t I?”
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know why, probably because I overheard the conversation. She and Holly were talking about it a couple of months ago at one of the book clubs. She didn’t want to seem weak, so she asked me not to tell anyone. I assumed she’d tell you when she was ready.”
Rarity felt hurt that Malia hadn’t shared such a big change with her, but she decided to let it go.
And, she thought, she needed to hang out with the girls more often.
Between the bookstore and Archer, she’d been pretty busy and had turned down impromptu get-togethers. She needed to be better at saying yes.
When Sam touched her hand, she looked over at her. “It’s not a bad thing to have a busy life. Just don’t forget to make time for friends. It’s a hard learned lesson, otherwise.”
“Which is why you came to St. Louis to sit with me during chemo days.” Rarity nodded. “I need to prioritize these types of nights more.”
“Yes, you do. Besides, I only came to St. Louis because that rat Kevin was ghosting you even though you lived together. There was no way I was going to let you go through that time alone.” Sam squeezed Rarity’s hand.
“Not on my watch. Now tell me about Darby being stalker-free. I missed that discussion.”
When they got to the theater, many of the stars of the films were outside, signing autographs and talking to the small crowd. Rarity looked around at the dresses. “Maybe we should have upped our game here. Tomorrow we’ll have to dig out the formal wear.”
“That will be fun.” Sam pulled out her lipstick and refreshed it. “Hopefully we’ll both have dates tomorrow. Let’s take a selfie in front of the festival sign.”
They did, and as they wandered through the crowd, they heard excited chatter. Rarity joined a group of moms who attended the Mommy and Me class. “What’s going on?”
“Rumor is that Bret Black was just cast as a lead in the next Marvel movie. And we get to see his latest movie tonight. I hear Talia Brooks is negotiating a new series with Netflix. This is all so exciting to think that we saw them back when.” Cate grinned at Rarity.
“Oh, there’s Talia now. Excuse me, I need her autograph.
Maybe I can sell it later and pay for Junior’s college. ”
Sam stood next to Rarity as the rest of the crowd rushed to where Talia was holding court. She looked at Rarity. “You don’t believe the rumors.”
“No, because Talia said she was just starting to do auditions next week. Unless this has been in the works for a while. And if so, why would she be working on the auditions? Something smells bad.”
“Oh, I hope it’s not me,” Terrance said from behind them. “I haven’t used this cologne for a while. Maybe it turned to vinegar.”
Shirley patted his arm. “Hush, I think you smell amazing. You girls look lost. Where are those handsome men of yours?”
“Working. At least that’s the story. Can we sit with you guys? That way we don’t have to swat the men away like flies?” Rarity asked Terrance.
His smile widened. “I get to go to the movies with three lovely women. My teenage self would be going out of his mind.”
“Just remember you’re outnumbered, so in any discussion, we win.” Shirley nodded to the doors. “Shall we get some popcorn and get settled?”
As they walked to the door, Rarity and Talia locked gazes.
Talia dropped hers first. But before that happened, Rarity saw the flash of fear.
She had been lying about the Netflix series and she knew Rarity had caught the lie.
Talia probably started the rumor herself.
And if it proved to be untrue tomorrow? She could deny starting it and say she hoped that she would be considered in the future.
The woman was an actress. She knew how to play a crowd.