Page 35 of Fighting a Riot

She laughed. “You are crazy. I took my kid out of my car, but I still gotta place the same Mickey D’s order. Gogurt or apple slices?”

“Apple slices. They never have the Gogurts half the time. And chocolate milk while you’re at it.”

Ten minutes later, Trixie handed me the bag of food while she shoved a straw in her large Diet Coke.

“Why a Happy Meal?” she asked.

I hurried to chew and swallow an apple slice. “Because it comes with fruit and milk. I know that’s ridiculous, but I’m not the biggest soda drinker and I like getting fruit to off-set the burger.”

She shot me a skeptical look. “That sounds like bullshit to me.”

I sighed. “It is and it isn’t. I got into the habit after my dad died. He had a stroke when I was nineteen, and nobody said as much, but I don’t think the copious amounts of diet soda he drank helped matters.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Anyway, you ask for a milk with your Big Mac and they either assume you said ‘milk shake’ or they give you the milk, but it costs so much more than a soda it’s highway robbery. With the Happy Meal, the milk’s included.”

Trixie shook her head. “Girl, you’re crazy. Coming from me… that’s saying something.”

I grinned. “Do you want your Big Mac or the french fries first?”

“Fries. I can’t eat a Big Mac and drive. I also can’t drive you back to your office until you tell me why there’s nothing happening with Yak. I saw him on Sunday and he thanked me for taking you to your Friday appointment as if I’d escorted you to see the Pope or something. Aren’t you interested in him?”

I took a deep breath. “It doesn’t really matter, Trixie.”

She grabbed three fries. “The plot thickens. Why doesn’t it matter?”

I shook my head. “I’m going to be dealing with heavy things soon, and he seems to think I deserve better than him.”

“Is that what it is?” she asked.

My eyes closed for a moment. “Crap. I hadn’t meant to say that last part.”

She chuckled. “But you did, and I’m glad. Listen, I didn’t realize Yak thought that way about himself. Though, a fair number of the brothers do… until the right woman comes along.”

I swallowed a sip of milk. “I’m not that woman, Trixie.”

She swiveled her head toward me. “Oh, you are. You just don’t know it yet.”

I finished my cheeseburger. “Whatever. He’s also very busy with other things, and frankly, so am I. The timing’s wrong. That happens in life.”

She pulled into a parking space at my office building. “Timing schmiming.” She turned her head to me. “Everything happens for a reason, and you and Yak met for a reason, Nora.”

My fist tightened around the wadded-up wrapper for my burger. “Yeah, but maybe that reason was so he could help me get away from Destin. That’s done. It’s all cool.”

She narrowed an eye at me. “That tone of voice… there’s something else going on here, isn’t there?”

I shook my head. “No. I gotta get back to work, Trixie. Thanks for stopping at McDonald’s.” I shoved a ten-dollar bill in the cup holder. “I really appreciate you coming with me to these appointments. Take care.”

She grabbed my forearm before I could get out of her car. “Nora, don’t say it like that. You can’t write me off, and I’m bringing the other ol’ ladies around later.”

I blew out a laugh. “I’d tell you not to, but I know you’re going to do it anyway. Fine. But I don’t want to stay up too late.”

She grinned. “I didn’t say it was happening tonight. Now that I think of it, maybe we’ll have an impromptu pool party on Saturday.”

“It’s February.”

She lowered her chin. “First of March is tomorrow. But really, who cares! That pool is heated and we’re taking advantage of it.”

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