Page 40 of The Library of Second Chances
“Loose-lipped?” Lucy giggled. Mildred was an open book, but Marty could be moody and was less inclined to be chatty.
The other two smiled and Pete pointed at Lucy. “Exactly.”
“Still worth a try though?” The community forum was that evening, so Lucy didn’t think it would look that suspicious for a group of downtown business owners to be checking in on the Bankses before the big meeting.
Steve appeared to take their drink order, but didn’t let on in front of the group that he had anything to share, and Pete didn’t bring up their conversation. Lucy knew Steve socialized withPete and Frank outside of work. They were all part of the local artists’ guild, so he probably felt more comfortable with Pete. They asked if he’d send Marty out when he went to fetch their drinks.
“So Taylor was in the store dropping off some clothes the other day, and she mentioned you’ve been spending a lot of time with Logan.” Pam raised an eyebrow in Lucy’s direction. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”
“Something like that.” Lucy busied herself with unrolling her silverware and laying it out at her place setting. That was how it had started. Now, though, Lucy couldn’t exactly call him the enemy. He was helping her with a personal matter.
“He’s been making the rounds.” Pete nodded. “Missy came in to buy her dad a tie for his birthday and told me Logan tried to sell her on bringing cruise ships into port. I’ve been sitting around waiting for him to come visit my store, but no sign of him yet. I have a shirt set aside that would just make those gorgeous green eyes pop. Somebody better send him my way.”
Lucy rolled her eyes even as she pictured Logan’s and the way the gold in them had danced under the lights when they’d shared dinner at the Sand Dollar. Pete would probably roll over even faster than Missy if Logan laid on the charm, especially since Lucy herself was struggling to resist. Pete was a flirt by nature. He tested his lines on men and women alike, and they all loved him. Logan’s charm made everyone feel like the most important person in the room, and Pete’s made them feel like the most beautiful. She had to admit she’d seen Logan’s eyes drink her in on more than one occasion lately, and it made her feel appreciated in a way she hadn’t in a long while.
“I ran into him on the beach last week.” Pam took her tea from Steve when he returned to the table, the silver-and-gold bangles on her slender wrist tinkling. “Ava bounded right over to him and soaked his shirt.”
Pete’s mouth dropped open as he took his tea from Steve. “Did he take it off? Please tell me he took it off.”
Steve raised an eyebrow as he placed Lucy’s tea in front of her, but he pretended not to eavesdrop on their conversation. Lucy decided not to share that she’d seen Logan with his shirt off more than once on his morning runs, and it was definitely a sight to see.
Pam turned to frown at Pete. “No, he did not take off his shirt.”
“What?” Pete turned up his hands. “You said you were on the beach. People take off their shirts on the beach.” He shrugged. “I was just trying to get a visual.”
“Yes, I’m sure you were.” Pam turned back to Lucy. “Anyway, he didn’t tell me much. Just that he planned to hear everyone out and try to find something that worked for us all. He mentioned he had some ideas, but he didn’t elaborate. Do you know what might come up at the meeting?”
Lucy sighed, poking her straw at an ice cube in her sweet tea. “Cruise ships. Another casino boat.” She shrugged. “I wish Helen was here to lead these meetings, but she left me the number of her water expert.”
“Did y’all ever do the dinner cruise on that dreadful casino boat?” Pete scowled. “I could have broken a tooth on the roll they served with my dinner, and the fish was definitely frozen. I do love me some blackjack and a spin or two on the roulette wheel though.” He wiggled his eyebrows, eliciting laughter from the rest of the table.
Marty approached, interrupting Pete’s commentary.
“Afternoon.” Marty nodded. He was dressed in a chef’s coat and black pants, both perfectly pressed and clean. Lucy knew from Mildred that Marty didn’t do much of the cooking anymore, preferring instead to check orders before they went out to make sure the presentation was up to his standards. Martywas in his mid-sixties and his hair was now more salt than pepper, the deep lines in his face making him look older than he really was. He and Mildred were practically at the restaurant every waking hour, and it had taken a toll on both of them.
“Hey, Marty.” Pam smiled up at him. “We heard about Mildred. Poor thing. I dread going to the dentist.”
“Yeah, she wasn’t real excited about it either. She’ll be fine though. Hopefully she’ll feel up to going to the forum tonight because at least one of us needs to be here for dinner service.”
“We heard the city wants to make you an offer,” Pete blurted, much to the surprise of both Lucy and Pam.
Lucy stared at him, her eyes wide.
Marty’s expression darkened, the line between his eyebrows deepening. “Is that so? First I’ve heard of it.”
Lucy looked to Pete. They’d all just assumed Marty knew.
Pete hesitated, as if deciding how much to divulge. “Oh, maybe I’m mistaken.”
Marty frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I doubt it. I’m sure they’d love to toss us out on our keisters. I’ve already talked to our attorney.”
Steve started to approach to take their order but did a quick U-turn when he realized they were talking to Marty.
Pam, ever the reasonable one of the group, spoke gently. “That’s probably why they want to make an offer, right? They have to give you incentive to go willingly.”
“Yeah, well, they’ll have to pry me out of here. I’m not going to just sit back and watch them turn this into Coney Island or some nonsense.” Marty’s voice was getting louder and Lucy looked around to see if anyone was sitting close enough to overhear.
“I’ll bring it up at the forum tonight,” she said. “I’m sure everyone there will be on your side.”
