Page 39 of Pity Parade

“Are you here for the summer, too?”

“I’m only here for a week. I won some kind of contest.”

I feel like a real snake, but I still ask, “What kind of contest?”

“Some singles’ thing. I don’t even remember entering it.”

Time to see if my acting skills are up to par. “You’re not still single, are you?” I inwardly cringe at how rehearsed that sounds.

Daniel doesn’t seem to notice. “I am. How about you?”

“I’ve been too busy to date,” I tell him. Attempting a coy smile, I add, “But now that my show’s been canceled, I’ll probably have a good amount of free time to pursue a social life.” Talk about dropping hints.

He shifts from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry to hear you got canceled.”

I shrug like losing my livelihood is no big deal. “We had a seven-year run which is pretty solid. How about you? Still at Northwestern?”

He smiles proudly. “I’m the head of their cardiac surgical center.”

“Good for you.”

“Are you going inside to do some shopping?”

Jumping to my feet, I tell him, “I was going to buy some flowers.” We walk into the store together.

Daniel grabs a cart and follows me to the floral department where I pick up a large bouquet of purple dahlias. “Where are you staying?” I ask him.

“A cottage on the lake. How about you?”

“I’m in town in an apartment above a yarn shop,” I tell him. “You’re lucky to be right on the water. There was nothing close to it when I was looking.”

“You’re more than welcome to come by my place some time.” Aaaaaand, I’ve hooked the fish.

“I’d like that.” Hoping to nail something down, I inquire, “What day looks good for you?” I know I might appear to be the biggest pick-me girl of all time, but I’m on a time crunch.

Daniel shrugs. “How about today? Unless you have other plans.”

Other than stalking you? “Nothing on the books all week.” He might as well know that in case things go well.

“Why don’t you help me shop and we can pick something up for lunch?”

“It looks like it’s my lucky day,” I tell him. It’s too early to decide if this is true, but it’s always good to proceed with optimism.

We don’t say much while we shop, and I wonder if it’s because we’re no longer compatible or if Daniel is feeling uneasy because he’s the one who broke up with me.

After picking up readymade sandwiches at the deli and several other items Daniel will need this week, we head out to the parking lot.

“Do you want to take your flowers home first or should we go right to my place?” he asks.

“Let’s go out to the lake,” I say while getting into his car.

I worry the entire drive that we’ll run into Heath, and I consider commissioning a voodoo doll that will keep him away. Short of that, I wonder if a necklace of garlic would do the trick. But with my luck, Italian food is probably Heath’s favorite and garlic would only draw him to me. Luckily, his car is nowhere in sight when we pull up.

Daniel opens the passenger door for me before lining his arms with plastic grocery bags. When we get to the front door, he gives me the security code to get in. It’s all I can do not to giggle as I imagine the look on his face if I just pulled the key out of my purse.

I’m fully aware that what I’m doing is a little creepy and that if things work out with me and any of my guests, I’ll have to come clean. But for now, my lips are sealed.

Walking inside, I announce, “This is cute.”

---