Page 25 of Together in Harmony
“Won’t Asa mind?” I ask.
“Baby, he got to have a playdate with you, that means it’s my turn now.”
“I don’t want to hurt his feelings,” I say, then shyly add, “I like him.”
“We all like Asa,” grins Lennox. “I promise he won’t mind us going on a date. It’s not like you two are in a relationship right?”
“OK,” I say. “One date.”
I can’t believe how easily I am throwing my concerns to one side. A whiff of first Asa, and now Lennox, and all my ‘keeping out of the public eye’ life goes to the wall.
“I can’t go on a date until I get all my work done, though.”
I'm trying to have just a hint of backbone.
Lennox gives a little whoop. “So when will you be free and clear of your work shit?”
“Friday,” I say, already second-guessing my decision to say yes.
“Friday it is then,” says Lennox. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
He gives me another burning look, then takes off.
I slither down onto the kitchen chair
A date with Lennox on Friday. I just couldn’t bring myself to say no.
I feel exhausted and confused, and also horny as hell once again. Before anything else can happen, I slam the door shut and lock it.
This had definitely been enough for one day and it’s not even 10am.
???
By mid-afternoon I’m more than frustrated.
Spreadsheets blur and I’m sure I’m muddling up all the data.
I’ve been using one finger to peck at the keys. My hands definitely are too sore for this job. I give up for the day and call Sheila.
“I talked to Waldo,” she tells me.
“How? You haven’t seen him in years, you said?”
“But Gold Creek is tiny. I just called the general store, and Maisie, the woman who runs it, gave me Waldo’s number. She said you’d been in a couple of times.”
Hmmm, I wasn't sure I like this small-town gossip thing. Not good for someone trying to keep a low profile.
“So how was your Waldo chat?”
“Great to catch up with him. He’s a bit gruff but his heart is in the right place. If you ever need anything, reach out to him.” She changes the subject. “Has Einstein settled now, do you think?”
I look at the lazy cat. He basically just sits around, waiting for me to feed him. If I try to pet him, he hisses and bites. Sometimes he sits at the window, yowling mournfully.
“He’s as happy as he was before,” I tell her.
“Ha, so still a grumpy old so-and-so.”
“Exactly.”
