“That’s too bad.” Her eyes narrow, and the corner of her mouth rises. “I kind of liked kissing my boss.”
“Maybe I should fire you.”
“You’d better have a damned good reason.” Her brow quirks in a challenge, and I think about the problems it would solve.
Standing, I fold the paper plate. “Don’t give me one.”
11
Raquel
The garage doors are open at South Street, and I’m at a small table with Sandra drinking beer and enjoying the sudden drop in temperature after last night’s rain.
“Now will you tell me what happened yesterday?” She’s eyeing me over the rim of her pint of beer. “Why the sudden jump in the lake?”
Her husband’s still out of town, so she invited me to lunch. “I told you. I was feeling sick.”
I’m not sure why I’m protecting Jerry. It’s a clear case of sexual harassment, but I don’t feel the need to be the office whistle blower on my third day at work. He’s not my superior, and I think I can handle him.
She shakes her head, cutting a bite of crab cake with her fork. “You had everybody talking.”
“For jumping in the lake?” I take a sip of my beer. “You guys need to get out more.”
“For what happened after you jumped in.” She gives me the eyebrow waggle, and now I’m uncomfortable. Did she see me kiss Patton? I thought we were somewhat discreet, being in the deep water and all. All they did yesterday was stand around and gossip about everybody.
“Why didn’t anyone bring a plus one? Is that not allowed?”
“Oh, it’s allowed.” She shrugs. “Taron’s not seeing anybody. My husband’s doing shift work. Dean’s dating around—”
“And Jerry?” I want to ask about Patton, but I know she’s just waiting for that.
“I think he was hoping to make some progress with you yesterday.”
My face heats, and I shift in my chair. “He needs to take a hint and keep moving.”
“So something did happen between you two?” Her eyes narrow, but I shake my head.
“I just want him to leave me alone.”
She considers this a moment. “Let me know if he doesn’t.”
Leaning back, I exhale deeply. “I can handle Jerry Buckingham. He’s not the first guy who wouldn’t take a hint.”
“Girl, I hear that. The shit we put up with.” She lifts her glass and gives me a wink. “Here’s to you getting Patton Fletcher to take his shirt off. That was pure heaven.”
I take another sip, raising my eyebrows. “It was purely unintentional.”
“You’re a rockstar damsel in distress, and I thank you.”
Shaking my head, I remember sitting alone in my apartment last night binge-watching all the episodes of Queer Eye then switching over to Ally McBeal. I didn’t feel much like a rockstar. I felt like I should have gone to Savannah this weekend.
I glance up at her, wondering if she might know anything about why my sister quit so suddenly four years ago. I don’t get a chance to ask before she jumps in her seat and leans toward me.
“Well, look who’s here. Seems someone can’t stay away.”
“Who?” Dread fills my stomach, and I’m afraid Jerry’s behind me. Instead, excitement replaces dread when my eyes land on Patton sitting alone at the bar.
“What is he doing…” My voice trails off, and she gives me a nudge.