Page 37 of This Is Who I Am

“I know exactly how you feel, little fella,” I say.

I wisely decide not to linger in bed, to focus on last night rather than on this morning. Despite my failed attempt at reviving my aging body, there’s a new lightness in my step as I go to feed my cat.

* * *

“Once again, only one word for you, Mama Cass,” Bobby says. “D.I.V.I.N.E!”

I cooked with extra flair tonight, or maybe everything just tasted better because I have a crush on Estelle and infatuation is more delicious than the best-made jus.

“Thank you, darling.” It’s the end of service and I pull up a chair to Bobby and Hunter’s table.

“No hot flashes in the kitchen tonight, I take it.” Hunter grins at me. “That broth was so good, I considered proposing to it.”

“What’s going on here?” Bobby waves his hand at my body. “Is your menopause over? There’s something distinctly different about you, Cassie.”

I give a one-shouldered shrug that’s meant to be mysterious.

“What is it?” Hunter studies my face.

A grin tugs at my lips. “Nothing,” I say, despite that grin, because it’s so much fun toying with them.

“Okay. I guess we’re off then.” Hunter pretends to rise, then falls back into his chair. Two can play that game.

“Believe it or not, but I’ve met someone,” I say.

“You’re right,” Hunter says. “That is hard to believe. Was it at Suzy’s support group?”

“Babe, this is serious,” Bobby admonishes his husband. “If Cass has met someone who makes her look as though she won the lottery of life, we have to leave the snark aside.” He looks me right in the eye. “Who is it and where did you meet? Do we know her?” He brings his hand to his mouth. “Presuming it is a she.”

I chuckle because they crack me up, but also because of the sheer elation of telling my friends about Estelle. Beautiful, brilliant Estelle, who kissed me until I saw the stars on the backs of my eyelids last night.

“I metherhere, at the restaurant.” I can hear how my voice goes up in pitch, as though it has a mind of its own when talking about Estelle. “Her name’s Estelle. She’s back in town after her father died.”

“Black, big hair, drop dead gorgeous?” Bobby asks.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“I’ve seen her around.” He shrugs. “I tend to notice beautiful women who are not from around here,” he says matter-of-factly, but then swiftly takes it up a notch. “How did you swing that?”

“Bobby.” Hunter punches his husband in the upper arm.

“Apologies if that came out wrong,” Bobby corrects himself. “What I mean is that you are our good friend, Cass. We are aware of your, um, woman issues. You’ve also told us several times that you’re not looking and, basically, not interested in anything romantic right now.”

“I wasn’t looking, but she was just… there.” I point at the table by the window Estelle’s been dining at for the past three weeks. “And no offense taken, Bobby. I know what you mean. She’s way too hot for me, but… I don’t know, maybe we’re at a stage in our lives where that matters less.”

“Oh, Cassie.” Bobby reaches for my hands. “That’s really not what I meant. Please know that.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” I pull my hands from his and wave off his comment.

“So you met her at Savor and then what happened?” Hunter asks.

“She joined Sadie’s surf club. We all had a drink together last Monday after you left.” Hunter clearly doesn’t remember offering Estelle his chair.

“Damn it. I missed her?”

“You couldn’t handle the amount of estrogen, remember?” I arch up my eyebrows.

“That sounds like him,” Bobby says.

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