Page 77 of Tangled Emotions

Edith

“What’s with the sourpuss?” Evelyn came up and hip checked me.

“This is my face.”

“No-o-o-o-o.” She leaned over to see my face. “Youhave resting bitch face. Right now, you have a sourpuss.”

“Mattie isn’t happy that I’m going on a date Friday night.”

“Huh.” She turned and leaned back on the counter. “Did he say why?”

“Because he doesn’t know Frank, and he’s worried.”

Chuckling, she shook her head. “So the sourpuss is because you’re thinking of canceling.”

“Evelyn, I don’t want to upset my kid.” I stopped wiping the menus and faced her.

She nodded and her lips twisted. “Go on your date, dippy.”

“Evie …”

“Edith.” Her hands cupped my face. “He’s nine. Go on your date, have a good time, and see where it goes?”

I drew in a shaky breath. “I’m scared.”

There. I said it. Maybe now she’d back off and let me cancel.

“He’s not Greg.” She leaned in and kissed my forehead. “He’s charming, polite, handsome, crazy about you. Maybe it’s time to take a chance.”

Nodding, I wrapped my arms around her. “Thanks, Evie.”

“Slackers.” Big E yelled from the window and hit the bell.

We both laughed, and she gathered the plates to serve them, leaving me to finish the menus and bus tables.

I carried the black tub to the back where the sinks and dishwasher were and caught Big E smiling at me.

“Now what?” I threw my hands up in frustration.

He gave me a shrug. “I’m glad to see you dating.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why?”

“Edie, I’ve watched that man come here to eat twice a day for damn near two months. Do you know why he does that?”

“Yeah. Because he can’t cook.” I snarked back and turned to fill the sink with water.

“Edith.” His voice sounded flat. “He does it to see you. To talk to you. To interact with you.”

“And?” I spun around and put my hand on my hip.

“And he’s not Greg.” He shook his head. “Frank is a good one. Maybe you could give him a fair chance?”

Big E has spent the better part of my life chasing men away.

“Why?”

“After you asked him to take you out, you seemed happy. Like genuinely happy and I like seeing my sister happy.”