Page 24 of Fighting a Riot

Trixie laughed. “Nora, back in the day I did my fair share of skanky shit, and I’ve damn sure been around long enough that I can spot one. And that girl has it around her like a cloud of annoying perfume.”

I glanced out the window wishing this conversation would end.

“The two of them deserve each other, but enough about them. You should get yourself laid, it’ll make you feel better.”

I felt my cheeks heating and I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, nurse Trixie.”

Her brow arched for a moment. “That has a nice ring to it. You don’t believe me, I should’ve done this from the jump. We’ll call Abby –she actually is a nurse. And she’s a big believer in sex being good for what ails you.”

I held a hand up. “No, really, calling Abby isn’t necessary, Trixie. I get it. I’ll keep it in mind, okay?”

If I’d learned anything about Trixie since last night, it was that she lived for the little things in life. Great food, a beer or two, and good friends were all she needed to be happy. I agreed with that outlook, but… my mind was filled with many other things –all of them big and heavy.

Yak’s bike wasn’t around when Trixie pulled into the drive. That pleased me and disappointed me. Though at four o’clock on a Friday, I suspected he had plenty to do at Platinum’s.

“Bummer. I was hoping Yak would be here,” Trixie said.

“Why?” I asked. “It’s not like you… wait, you wouldn’t dare… meddle like that, would you?”

She gave me an innocent look, but even I could see it was a mock-innocent expression. “Me? Never.”

I grinned. “Yeah, right. Not that I don’t appreciate that, but you just stay out of it, lady. I’ll…”

“Seduce him yourself? Make the first move? Somehow I doubt it.” She glanced out the windshield. “Whatcha gonna do tonight?”

I gathered my purse. “Well, I have to call my Mom first and foremost. Then I have to get in touch with three more wedding vendors who haven’t returned my calls. Then, I might go swimming since Yak isn’t here.”

“Why would he care?”

I fought a grin. “He didn’t like me swimming Sunday night. Told me to wait until May to use the pool because it was too cold out here.”

“It’s heated.”

I nodded. “Exactly what I said.”

A knowing look stole over Trixie’s face. “Wait, were you wearing a bikini by chance?”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything. He works at Platinum’s. He sees women all the time. They’re much hotter than me and they move their bodies way better than I do.”

Her pointed look gave me pause. “Nora. You swimming in that pool didn’t bother him. He didn’t like you being in that pool without him. I’d bet the house on it.”

I shook my head. “Don’t do that. I like my little place.”

She nodded. “My niece is watching Rafferty and Jasmine tonight. I’m gonna be at the clubhouse. You get bored, come visit.”

“Thanks, but I think I’m gonna catch up on some sleep. I’ve been a little stressed.”

I wound up calling the wedding vendors first since Mom lived in the central time zone and she was still at work. One of them was kind enough to give me back my deposit, which surprised me to no end. The other had to get back to me about whether I wouldn’t be charged for the full amount since the flowers were already on order. It would depend on whether they could sell the inventory. The DJ on the other hand was being a right stickler about the contract.

I curled up on the couch and called Mom.

“So, what did he say?” she answered.

“Hi, Mom, how you doing?”

“Nora Rose Ellis, do not get smart with me. I’ve been on pins and needles. Now give it to me straight.”

I recapped what the doctor had said –omitting the part about sex. Mom didn’t need to know that… then again, she’d had a lumpectomy at twenty-nine. Odds were she already knew.

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