Page 71 of New Day at the Beach House

She closed the door and returned to the living room. The pizza smelled great, but she wasn’t having more than two slices. One if they were big. “Dinner is here. Meat lovers and a plain cheese. Plus salad.”

“Two pizzas?” Ethan said. “I hope you didn’t order all of that because you thought I’d eat a lot.”

“I ordered the plain cheese because it was a special for only five bucks and we like leftovers.”

“Good,” he said.

She glanced at her mother. “Two slices, Ma?”

“Yes. Just cheese. And some salad.”

“Okay, give me a second, Ma, and I’ll make you a plate.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“What kind of dressing do you want?”

“Italian.” Willie was occupied watching a game show that looked unnecessarily complicated to Roxie.

“What can I do?” Ethan asked.

Roxie glanced over. “Get yourself some food and find a spot on the couch. I’ll be over to join you in a second.”

“Don’t you need a drink?”

She shook her head as she put helpings of salad into three bowls. “No, I have a water over there.”

“Okay.”

She smiled. “But thanks. Italian dressing okay for you? Assuming you want salad.”

“I do and it is.”

In a matter of minutes, they all had their food and were sitting down to eat.

Ethan, who’d helped himself to two slices of meat lovers, grinned at her, then said softly. “I feel like I’m in high school, having a date at your house and being chaperoned by your mom.”

Roxie laughed. “It does kind of feel that way.”

Ethan had another slice of meat lovers, but Roxie only had seconds on the salad. Willie ate what Roxie had served her and no more. After they were done eating, Roxie cleaned up, which didn’t take much.

Not long after that, Willie got a text. “That’s Miguel. He asked me to come over. You two behave while I’m gone.”

“Ma.” Roxie shook her head. “We’re going for a walk on the beach.”

“That sounds nice.” Willie got up and headed to her room. A moment later, she was in the elevator and waving goodbye. “Thanks for that cherry soda, Ethan. It was very good.”

“You’re welcome,” he said as the doors slid shut.

Roxie looked over at him. “I thought we’d get a chance to talk about the salon.”

“We can,” he said. “If that’s what you want.”

What she wanted was to walk on the beach. “I guess you’d tell us if there was something we needed to do, right? Or some decision you were waiting on us to make?”

“I would. And you’re in good shape. How’s everything coming along with getting supplies and all of that?”

“Good. Sign people should be there soon to take final measurements.”

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