Page 21 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“How dare you come over here and interrupt me and my family,” the woman said. “And do you know who you’re having dinner with?” The woman leaned closer. “Did he do that to your face?” she whispered.
Cinnamon gasped. “You have some nerve to make that assumption. While it’s none of your business, no. He didn’t. Actually, he’s saving me from the man who did. My soon-to-be ex-husband. And for the record, that man over there is the kindest, sweetest, most gentle human being you could ever meet. You shouldn’t go listening to gossip or rumors.” She stared at the woman. “Oh my God. You’re Mrs. Ledderman. Holy shit. Didn’t your husband get arrested for fondling one of his students?”
Mrs. Ledderman’s mouth dropped open like a brick. She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Ms. Welch.”
“Nope. I remember clear as day. I was in first grade. Your husband was the orchestra teacher at my friend’s private school two towns over. You of all people should be kinder. I certainly wouldn’t judge you by your ex-husband’s actions. You shouldn’t judge Austin or me, especially when he didn’t do anything wrong. Now stop staring at us while we enjoy our fucking dinner.” She turned on her heel and marched back to the table.
Austin covered his mouth.
“You find that amusing?”
“I didn’t recognize her,” Austin said. “You have one wicked memory.”
“It hit me like a ton of bricks when I looked at her. I felt so sorry for what she went through. But not anymore. She can suck dick for all I care.”
“Well, it looks like the Cinnamon that I remember is back.” Austin chuckled. “You still have a mouth like a truck driver.”
“I thought you always liked that about me.”
“Never said I didn’t.” He raised his glass to his lips. “Listening to you in the stands when I was playing football was always amusing. One of the coaches took me aside once and told me he never heard a girl with a more colorful mouth before.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
A server came out and placed their food on the table.
“Not that I haven’t appreciated all my cousins’ hospitality or their cooking, but this is a real treat.” She dug into her steak.
“It’s nice to see you relax and have a good time.”
“I have to admit I was worried about coming out, but I’m glad we did.”
“Me too.” He smiled. “Maybe after this we can go grab some ice cream at that shop around the corner.”
“I’d like that.” She raised her glass. “But I’m having another one of these first.”
“Uh-oh. Are you still a lightweight?”
She nodded. “I promise to keep it at two.”
“Why not three?” He winked. “Last time you did that I got lucky.”
“You’re mixing up our nights.” She waved her fork. “If I have three, you’ll be holding up my hair while I make love to the porcelain god.”
“We don’t want that.”
She held his gaze for a long moment. She could get used to this and she wasn’t sure if it was fleeting or real. They had so much history filled with a ton of baggage, both together and separate. Not to mention there was still so much of his life she didn’t know.
“You’re looking at me like you want to ask me something.” He stuffed his face with some steak.
“I do.”
“Go ahead.”
“How did you meet Charity?”
“That’s a question I didn’t expect.” He wiped his lips with his napkin and leaned back.
“You don’t have to talk about her if you don’t want to.”
