Page 7 of The Fast Lane
“That tree has my parents’ names carved on it. My dad proposed to my mom right in front of it.” I propped my elbow on the counter and rested my chin in my palm, feeling more than a little disgruntled.
Mae patted me on the back. “We won’t let it happen.”
“So, who was your rescuer?” Ellie asked when I explained I’d forgotten the key to the padlock.
I squirmed in my seat, looking anywhere but at Mae. “Theo.”
“Theo, of course.” Mae smirked. “So nice of him.”
“Who’s Theo?” Ellie asked.
“He grew up with Ali and her brothers. Ali had the biggest crush on him when we were in high school. He lives in Houston now. Personally, I think Theo might ha?—”
Cheeks heating, I cut her off. “Thank you for your thoughts, Mae.”
“Have I seen him around? What’s he look like?” Ellie asked, eyes bright with even the passing thought of something interesting to latch onto. She liked a little drama with her chili.
“Yes, Ali, do you happen to have any pictures to show us?” Mae arched an eyebrow because she knew I did.
I cleared my throat and stabbed around on my phone until I found a photo of him I especially enjoyed. It had been Cal’s engagement party in my parents’ backyard before he and Melanie moved cross country, a casual barbecue with some friends and family. He wore a regular old t-shirt and a regular old pair of shorts. I’d yelled at him to smile right before I snapped it and hadn’t quite given him enough time, so his mouth was only tipped up one side, but his eyes were crinkled at the corners, and he was looking straight at me. Like he was seeing right into me and for some reason, what he saw made him…happy. I knew it was a question of timing and light, but I always wondered exactly what he was thinking at that moment.
“This is him.” I handed the phone to Ellie.
After studying the photo, she let out a low cat whistle. “Oh, he’s a cutie. He doesn’t look like he’s at the gym every spare minute or on some weird caveman diet.”
I took the phone back and inspected the picture. Theo wasn’t a gym rat like Frankie or extra lean like Cal who ran marathons for fun (I know, gross). He was somewhere in the middle. No six pack or bulging muscles. A normal guy. And so handsome.
“I see what you mean,” Ellie said. “Her eyes are getting all dreamy and she’s got a big, dopey smile.”
Mae nodded. “Exactly. You should have seen her in high school when?—”
“Nope,” I cut in. “I’m way over all that.”
I had to be. I was a realist when it came to Theo. The roles for he and me were cemented in years of friendship—minus that stupid little teenage crush—and that’s exactly where it needed to stay.
Ellie and Mae didn’t look convinced, both staring at me with dubious expressions.
“I am.”
Mae arched an eyebrow. “No need to get defensive.”
“I’m not defensive,” I said very defensively.
“You know, Ellie hasn’t been having much luck in the dating department.” Mae tapped a finger on her chin. “We should fix her up with Theo. They’d get along great, don’t you think?”
I narrowed my eyes. “No, I do not.”
“Why? Something wrong with him?” Ellie asked.
“Yes, he… he smells.”
Mae burst out laughing, and Ellie followed suit. “You are so full of it.”
“It’s alright.” Ellie giggled. “You keep him all for yourself.”
“You’re both hilarious.” I stood and slapped some money on the counter to cover my lunch. “I’m leaving now. Have your fun at my expense.”
Before I left, I pulled my phone out and snapped a photo of Mae while she was still too overcome with laughter to stop me. With a wicked grin, I began to type a text message as I took slow steps toward the door.