Page 83 of As They Are
The cameras, and by extension, Jude, were around until we got our food, but after our first bite, they announced they were done. Madison packed up and Jude abandoned his burger.
I was glad when they were gone, and Henry was too, judging by the way his shoulders slumped.
“Do you wanna leave now? I can take care of the bill.”
“No,” he replied. “Not having the cameras around is helping. And I wanted to tell you that the local businesses have already felt the show’s benefit.”
“They have?”
“Jade came to tell me that just having her shop on the show’s website helped. She makes candles, by the way. And sells different crystals.”
“Where is that at?”
“Jade’s Goodies.” He pointed out the window. “Mollie goes there often.”
“I should try to make it over there.”
“Jade wanted to know if she said something to upset you when you met her.”
I blinked. “She asked you?” Jade had done nothing wrong, and I felt terrible for being wary of her. She’d been here with Mollie when I couldn’t. I picked at my cuticle as I wondered if Mollie liked her more for that.
“She asked me to put in a good word for her, which I can. She’s a good person.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I said. “And Jade didn’t do anything wrong. This is all on me.”
“She mentioned being Mollie’s friend while you were gone. Is that what made you nervous?”
“Yep.” I sighed and leaned back. “But I’ll work on it. It’s not her fault. Shedoesseem really cool. I might try to see her after I go to Mollie’s booth at the farmers market.”
Henry raised his eyebrows. “She has a booth today?”
“Yep, it’s her first one. I have to buy her out of everything she has.”
His eyes went to the farmers market and then back to me, lips pursed. “I don’t usually go since it’s so busy, but it would be nice to see her booth.”
I perked up. “Wanna join me?”
He considered it for a long moment. I wondered why he wouldn’t want to go. Was it too hot? Did he have plans after this? Justwhatdid this man do in his free time?
“It’ll be a good chance to drive home that we’re seeing each other,” I added. Henry’s eyes flicked to me.
“That’s not a bad point. We’ll go after we eat.”
I’d never finished a meal so quickly in my life, but I was excited to see Mollie and get to act like Henry’s girlfriendin public. Tammy must have been keeping a close eye on us because she brought us the check shortly after.
“Did you do anything to Jude’s food?” I asked. “He barely touched it.”
She crossed her arms. “I have a reputation to uphold. That is nothing but the best.”
“And the beer?” Henry asked.
“Well, I served beer about ten years ago. Found an old can and brought it out.”
Henry gasped, and I let out a laugh. “That’s evil,” I replied.
“He should learn his lesson about cheating.” She said it easily as she grabbed his unfinished plate. “Though I doubt he will. There’re plates deeper than him, aren’t there?”
I laughed one more time, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Henry reaching for the check. I cut him off.
