Unable to find parking, I turn off into a relatively empty church parking lot. I get out, pull my hat low, and look down as I walk so hopefully no one will recognize me. I make it to Kendall’s office door when I hear the girls from the bar call my name. I give them a short wave, then duck into the office as quickly as I can.
The space is a decent size and nicely decorated. The walls are white and there are historic photos from the town blown up and displayed in heavy frames. I assume these were also taken by Kendall, as they have the same aesthetic and deep angles. There’s one desk in the front with a door behind it, which I assume leads back to Kendall’s office.
A short blonde pokes her head out of the back office. Her face lights up when she sees me.
“Oh my God! You’re Pierre Chatham!” She turns around. “Kendall, it’s Pierre!”
“Hi,” I say as the girl runs to me and gives me a big hug, as if I am an old friend she hasn’t seen in ages.
“I’m Patsy,” she says.
“Like Patsy Cline,” I say, as if I hadn’t known who she was before she said her name.
She laughs, almost maniacally. “Yep! My mama named me after her. Imagine her disappointment when I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.” She’s charming, if a little nuts.
“Is Kendall?—”
“She’s back here.” Patsy grabs my arm and drags me to the office, where Kendall is staring into a compact and frantically wiping her mouth with a napkin. She’s wearing a simple button-down shirt with khakis, her hair in a ponytail. On her desk are two full sandwiches.
“Pierre! I had no idea you were coming today.”
“It was a spur of the moment decision. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s perfectly fine!” replies Patsy.
Kendall gives her a piercing look, which Patsy completely ignores.
“I was going to ask you to lunch, but it looks like you’re already eating.”
“No, we’ve barely had a bite! She can go to lunch with you.” Patsy grabs Kendall’s sandwich and throws it in a small trash can. Kendall cuts her a sharp look.
“Is that okay?” I ask Kendall.
“Sure,” she says. “Let me grab my purse.”
Patsy, grinning and biting her bottom lip, steps aside so Kendall and I can get out of the office.
“Have fun, you two!” she calls.
Kendall shakes her head, and together we walk out into the bright Alabama sun.
KENDALL
Icould murder Patsy right now. Yes, I probably would’ve gone to lunch with Pierre anyway, but still. I don’t like being put on the spot.
“What’s good around here?” asked Pierre as soon as we’re out on the sidewalk. “Do you want another sandwich?”
“Sure,” I say, dodging people on the sidewalk who have turned to look at us. “Bread Crumbs is a few doors down. They’re the best—and only—sandwiches in town.”
“Great!” he says, putting a hand on my back the way he did the night of our date. I try to not freak out, but he must feel me tense up because he pulls back, though he says nothing.
When we walk into Bread Crumbs, everyone turns around and stares, especially after Pierre removes his sunglasses. I recognize most of the folks here, though there are a few tables full of people who are likely film crew and not locals. It is much more crowded than usual.
“Do you want to get it to go?” I ask. Pierre is looking at the menu on the wall, completely ignoring the fact that we’re the center of attention.
“I’m with you,” he says. “I’m down for whatever.”
We order sandwiches. I get my usual tomato turkey and he orders a fried green tomato BLT. Curran Briddell, the girl working behind the counter, has a bright pink pixie cut and massive blue doe eyes. She looks from me to Pierre, obviously trying to figure out what’s going on.