“How exactly?”
“What if you and Brock work out? Then you and I will both be with one of the Three Rake-a-teers. Can’t you just see it? ‘The Pike sisters nab the Rake-a-teers.’”
I roll my eyes. “Doubtful that will happen.”
“You don’t know.”
“He’s twenty-four years old,” I say. “He’s so young. He’s not really interested in an old maid like me.”
Callie laughs out loud. “You’re the only one who thinks you’re an old maid, Ror. You’re twenty-eight, drop-dead gorgeous, and every man and quite a few women in Snow Creek would love to have you.”
“I don’t see them lining up.”
“You’re usually in a relationship, and now that you’re not, Brock Steel is into you. No one’s going to try to take you from Brock Steel.”
“I don’t belong to Brock Steel,” I say. “Even though—” I stop.
“Even though…what?”
I sigh. “Even though…a big part of me wants to belong to Brock Steel. Okay? I said it.”
Callie twists her lips into a sly smile. “You didn’t say anything I don’t already know.”
Callie’s phone buzzes with a text. “It’s Donny. I’ve got to get back.”
“Can’t you even finish your lunch?”
“Unfortunately, no.” She waves to Sadie. “I’m going to need to box the sub, please.”
“Sure. I’ll take care of that for you.” Sadie takes Rory’s sandwich away.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I’m not sure yet. He just said he needs me to come back right away.”
“I hope it’s nothing bad.”
“I hope so too, Ror. I’ll fill you in as soon as I can.”
Sadie returns with Callie’s sandwich in a bag.
“Thanks, Sadie,” Callie says.
“Not a problem. I hope to see the two of you again soon.”
Callie waves goodbye, still not smiling, and leaves.
“You okay?” Sadie says to me. “I hate eating alone.”
“I don’t mind.”
Not the first time I’ve eaten alone, and it probably won’t be the last.
“Is there anything I can get for you?”
“Nope, I’m good. I’m just going to finish up. You can go ahead and bring the check whenever.”
Sadie smiles and bustles off.