“I’m not single,” she responded. Their eyes met; more pity from Dar. Cassidy tore her gaze away and choked down the bite of pastry. She hated herself for wondering but couldn’t help asking, “Everyone’s had a taste… even you?”
Darlene barked out a raucous laugh. “Oh, hell yes!”
Cassidy was shocked, her expression incredulous.
“Baby girl, I was not about to pass that up.” A handful of French fries found its way into her mouth as she made a yummy sound. Cassidy wasn’t sure if it was for the fare or the memory. But Darlene expanded, clearing up any doubt. “He’s talented, too. I couldn’t walk right for days.”
Cassidy held up her hand. “I don’t want to know details.” She’d heard about his reputation, and he wasn’t coy, but hearing from one of his partners—someone sheknew—was different.
Maybe she was jealous, not because she wanted to sleep with Mac. Of course not. That would be a betrayal to Elijah. But she was jealous of their connection… their passion. It had been a long time since she’d had that.
Darlene waved a hand in the air, dismissing the incident. “Only the one time; he isn’t a commitment kind of guy, thank you, Jesus, or I’d never’ve let him back in the bar. I don’t need that kind of drama.”
Cassidy shoved more doughnut into her mouth.
“But Mac isn’t why I sat down,” Darlene announced.
Cassidy’s brow raised in skepticism.
“Have you given any consideration to coming back to The Northern? We’re heading toward the high season, and I could use someone who knows her way around the place. Larissa took off with some dude she met, and Sarah isn’t the most reliable. I’m down to Jemma and myself. Kitchen’s holding on, thank god,” Darlene implored. “The seasonal customers are—”
“I remember,” Cassidy cut her off.
Leaning over the table, Darlene studied her face. “You look better than you did a few months ago, Cassie. And you’re out, in public, doing more than sneaking into the store for supplies. I know what it’s like to emerge from the dark; a few shifts at the bar would be a step in the right direction.”
“I’ll keep thinking about it. But I’m not like you, Dar. You left the south with something to prove. I’m… Well, I’ll think about it.”
“Whether you know it or not, baby girl, you got somethin’ to prove, too.” She scooted up on her chair. “And if you want to take baby steps back into the world, you might want to bark up Mac Boyer’s tree. And when I say tree—”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“Quick cure for what ails you, but notquick.” She winked. “It’ll put you back in the saddle, and baby girl, we all need it. No shame in it.”
“You make him sound like a… lawn service.”
Darlene grinned, flashing her dimples again. “He’s providing a service, all right, and bless his heart for it.”
“I don’t think he’s doing it out of the kindness of his heart.”
“I don’t care why he’s doing it,” Darlene fired back. “Just grateful he is.”
Cassidy grimaced. “I need to get back; it’s time to feed Fred.”
Fred looked at her accusingly as though to say it wasn’t time to feed him, and he didn’t appreciate being used as an excuse. Or maybe it was her conscience projecting, but she was over this conversation. She’d had enough of Mac Boyer.
She stood, gathering her things, and then paused, hesitant.
“Dar, if I say yes to the bar, can Fred come with me? I don’t like leaving him alone at the house.”Because like every other desperate lake housewife, he seeks out the company of Mac Boyer.
“Isn’t he supposed to guard your house?”
Cassidy answered, “It’s a deal-breaker.” Gotta keep the mutt on the straight and narrow.
Darlene grimaced, looking at Fred with distaste. “Well, I suppose he could stay back in the office.”
Cassidy smiled. “Then I’ll seriously think about it.” And she surprised herself by meaning it.
Chapter eight