Page 49 of Missing Pieces
Chapter Twenty-One
“Well look what the cat dragged in?” Ivy bellows when I walk in the front door of The Scrambled Egg. The Sergeants are still here, and they turn their heads toward me. I try to figure out if they know anything, but they elude me.
I flip Ivy off once I pass them because I know they wouldn’t approve. However, I missed the kid sitting at the table near the counter and he totally saw my middle finger fly.
“Thanks for letting me sleep in today,” I say nonchalantly as I walk past her to the office to put my purse down.
I hear her footsteps following behind me. “Did you have a late night? Not get any sleep? You look like you have some bags under your eyes. Too busy getting’ down and d—”
“You have a far too active imagination, especially for someone who constantly talks about how great the sex is with her husband,” I say as I put a hand in her face to stop her from badgering me with more questions. “For the record, if we sleep together I will be sure to let you know exactly when that happens. In detail. Since you seem to be so curious. Maybe I’ll even record it for you.”
She guffaws and then huffs, walking out to a table.
I laugh silently, happy I finally won against her.
She leaves me alone for the rest of the day. After we close the diner, I pull a binder out of my purse to go over some of the ideas I have for the rest of the rental and for the diner.
“Oh my god I love this!” she squeals as she looks at the sketch of the landscaping and wraparound porch I drew. I even added in a swing at the front of the house and rocking chairs on the side. The updated backyard expands the back porch so there is room for a table for outdoor dinners. I also added an option of a fire pit and wet bar just in case. I thought it would really benefit the renting since friends could rent for longer stays, or if she wanted to sell, it would up the selling price significantly.
“You are a genius.” She looks over the sketches in awe. “I never thought about a fire pit. Can you get one figured out for our house too? I absolutely love it. It will be so great on cooler nights. We can start planning a party now!”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves darlin’,” I say, shaking my head.
“Did you just call me darlin’? Oh my god, we’re wearin’ off on you.” She holds the back of her hand up to my forehead. “Nope, you ain’t comin’ down with a fever. I think the south is treatin’ you well.”
I push her hand away. “I just spend too much time around you!”
“Hmm. Whatever you say darlin’.” She scoffs.
We spend the next two hours talking about plans for the diner. Some she likes and some she doesn’t. But we settle on a few ideas that I think will really help the place look more present day and less 1984.
She pulls her phone out of her pocket, texting wildly. I look at my watch and realize it’s after six. I stand up and gather all the sketches back into my binder.
“We need to go.”
I look down at her bewildered. “Why’s that?”
“Apparently there are two very hot men waiting for us next door.”
I smile and look down at my feet. This feels so normal. Two friends working and then going to meet their men afterward. I don’t even remember the last time Drew and I had done this. I shake the thought because I would much rather be thinking about, scratch that, touching my hunk of a man than my no good ex-husband. And did I just think of Easton as mine?
Ivy and I lock up the diner and head next door to Sawyer’s. A band is loading equipment through the door as we walk in. It’s not too packed, but I am sure it will get crowded soon if they have live entertainment.
Ivy brushes past me and I see why. Her husband is leaning against the bar, arms crossed over his chest, staring her down. He seems to be talking to Easton who is sitting next to him, facing away from us.
Ivy jumps onto Trace and his smile lights up the room. Those two are so in love with each other, even after ten years. I really hope I can find something like that one day. A burning love that has no chance of being burned out.
I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear as I approach them. Easton swivels his chair around and sets his eyes on me. I suddenly become aware I didn’t even look at myself in the mirror before coming over. I’m wearing jeans and a loose tank top that I hope doesn’t have food stains on it. My hair is thrown into a pile on my head and I may or may not smell like ketchup.
Easton stands up as I get close. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me tightly into a hug. His lips brush the side of my neck and he grazes his teeth over my ear whispering, “You really make me want some French fries right now.”
I push him off me laughing. “Do I really smell that bad?”
He grabs my hand pulling me between his legs and sits back on his stool. “No, but I could tell you were worried you did.” He pushes another piece of hair off my forehead. “Stop worrying so much. You’re beautiful. Even if you smell like ketchup.”
I laugh, but his lips stop me. His hands grab the back of my neck, pulling me into him, deepening the kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him right back. Our tongues dance and I moan softly, crushing myself into his kiss and his body.
“Man, you two, get a room.” I hear Trace say.