Page 9 of Rules of Engagement

Jorja

Grabbing my laptop satchel off the kitchen table, I take an extra second to settle the weight on my shoulder when I catch sight of Maxine’s car pulling into Mr. Finkel’s driveway.

Hmm, anyone in there with her? Nope, she's alone.

Hurrying out the front door, not wanting to get caught in a conversation that will make me late for work, I hear, “Good morning, Jorja.”

Glancing back with a smile but not slowing down, I give her a tiny wave and pull open the car door.

She calls across the yard. “I rented the house yesterday.”

I pause with one foot in and one foot out. “That's good to hear.” I toss my tote in the car and nearly lose my balance.

“You are going to love him.”

“That's nice to know.” I plop down in the seat.

She shoos me off. “I know you're in a hurry. You can thank me later.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to be late.” I close the door, crank the car, and as I turn to back out of the drive … did she say them or him?

* * *

When I step into Better Buzz for my ritual coffee and cake, it’s buzzing with activity, and the line is longer than usual. Good thing I came 30 minutes early.

Waiting for my turn, I strain to hear what the hype is all about. The couple in front of me is talking about where they want to go on vacation. Their voices drown out any actual words I might be able to hear otherwise.

When it’s my time to order, I step to the counter and smile at Margie. “Morning, Boo. I'll have my usual ….”

Her face contorts with excitement as she bounces up and down. “Oh my god! Jorja!”

“Cancel that. I'll have whatever you have had.”

“Jorja!” She leans over the counter. “He's home. Jocko Malone is home!”

The blood drains from my face.

Margie jumps up and down with a crazy clown grin plastered on her face. “He came in a little while ago. Jesus! Jorja! He is huge!” She spreads her arms wide. “Oh my god! He is 6’4” filled out gorgeous gloriousness! I dropped the coffee pot. I was so shocked and …” She leans to me and whispers, “Damn! Turned on!” She pauses, lost in her memory, visualizing his manliness. “He is ALL MAN!”

She regains her composure and shouts my order over her shoulder. “One gigantic vanilla latte and a piece of peach to go!”

As she rings up my order, swiping my credit card, she fills me in with more details. “I nearly fainted when he remembered me. Gawd, he's swoon worthy. But he only remembers me because you and I are tight.”

She looks me right in the eye. “He asked howyouwere doing and wanted to know whereyouworked. Of course, I bragged you'reModern Family Magazine’stop feature writer. He seemed impressed with that.”

She takes a breath, “I asked if he was just visiting. He said, no, he's settling down here for good. Isn’t that great?”

She pushes my credit card to me. I pick it up and put it in my satchel.

“Oh my god, I couldn’t wait to tell you this morning. I wanted to text you right away, but this news needed to be told in person.”

She fans herself. “I’m here to tell you, girl. I nearly fainted! He is so f-ing fine!”

She turns when Mario delivers my order to the counter with a grin, then slides it to me. “Here you go, boo.”

As I reach for my coffee and cake, I notice my hand shaking.

She leans in as I scoop them up. “He has come back for you!”

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