Page 21 of Suddenly Single

“Oh.” I muttered and realized she was right. “But we’re going out tomorrow night, just for a little dinner. I think I’ll eat with him, but make it very clear it’s a one-time thing. As you said, Cracker, the Tylers are a big deal, and I don’t want to offend him.”

“Don’t worry about offending him. Setting boundaries is important, and you can tell Cort no if you want to.” Cracker said, then Therapista glanced at her watch and slid the puppet off her hand. “I’m sorry, Carter, but my next client will be here any minute. Are you feeling better?”

There was a pile of used tissues in my lap, so I grabbed them and stood up. Belinda pointed to the metal bin next to her desk and I tossed them inside. I was definitely confused, but felt a little calmer now. In a tiny voice, I replied to her question.

“Maybe?”

Chapter 12

Asher

“What on earth were you thinking going to Carter’s business?” Florida scolded me the minute I walked through Mom’s back door. “Not once, but twice. Give the man a moment’s peace, and he might like you again.”

“How did you know I went twice?”

“Because it was my sister Georgia who told you to go away the first time. You’ve met her before. And I just got off the phone with Carter.” She followed me from the tack room to the kitchen, bitching the entire time. “Poor Carter, how’s he supposed to figure out what he wants when all you do is pester him? He's so sweet, handsome, and charming. Good lord, what a mess you’ve made, Asher.”

I spun around and pointed my finger in her face. “Stop. Don’t say another word about my relationship. If I wanted your opinion, I would’ve asked for it.”

Florida grabbed my finger and bent it backward until I yelped. “If you’d listen to me in the first place, you wouldn’t be in so much trouble.”

“Damn it.” I muttered, and scurried out of the kitchen, only to be faced with the ladies who drank. Oops, I meant lunched.

“Asher dear, you’re just in time for tea.” Granny smiled, and held up a crystal glass filled with a ruby red liquid that was definitely not tea. Mary Jane grinned, and Lila Brooke snored on the couch next to her. I was starving, and was grateful to see a three tier silver tray laden with finger sandwiches. There was no way in hell I was pressing Florida into cooking duty. She’d spit in my food, or worse.

I sat on the love seat opposite them, grabbed a salad plate, and loaded it with cucumber sandwiches and a couple of scones. “I need the hard stuff, not tea.”

Granny nodded her head toward the bar, and I got up and fixed a vodka on the rocks. When I settled back on the sofa, Granny spoke. “Why are you home from work so early? Normally you don’t arrive until dinner time, or later.”

“Mom ordered me to patch things up with Carter, so she made me leave work.” I said, then stuffed an entire cucumber sandwich in my mouth.

“How did that go, dear?” Mary Jane asked, then she discreetly elbowed Lila Brooke when she grunted in her sleep. Her partner’s eyes snapped open, then she yawned and sat up straight.

“As well as can be expected when dealing with a high-strung drama queen whose thirst for theatrics knows no bounds.” I grumbled and bit into an orange scone. “Florida is a pain in the ass, but God, the woman knows how to cook.”

“I’m a pain in your ass because you’re stupid.” Florida entered the room, pushing a cart. She placed a clear glass teapot on the table next to the sandwiches. Why she did this, none of us knew, since we rarely, if ever, drank actual tea during tea.

“Thank you Florida.” Granny smiled beatifically at her. “The food is tasty, as Asher just said.”

“He also said I’m a pain in the ass.” She rolled up a tea towel and threatened to snap me with it. I held up my arm, and she shook her head with disgust. “Use the head on your neck for once, and you can get your man back.”

“Darling, what’s the latest on Carter?” Lila Brooke asked.

“Nada. Zip. We’re through.” I felt numb. No more tears, just a dull ache that wouldn’t go away. “Carter wants nothing to do with me. I went to see him this afternoon, and, I’m ashamed to say, we argued on the street in front of his shop.”

All four women sucked in their breath.

“Did anyone we know see this?” Granny asked. “Because that’s just plain…”

“Tacky.” The other women muttered, shaking their heads.

“Nobody, if you don’t count Karina and her customers. Oh, and the kids who wash hair.” I crammed another cucumber sandwich in my mouth, and Florida smacked my shoulder.

“Stop eating like a degenerate. Your Mother didn’t teach you bad manners.”

“Oh dear.” Mary Jane shook her head. “The entire country club will know about this by nightfall.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, and Florida smacked me again.

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