“What’s your number one?” he asked.
“My what?”
“The first place on your list of places you want to see.”
Oh, well, that was hard. But I would have to say “New York. Manhattan to be exact.”
“Fifth Avenue?” he added, reading my mind.
I nodded.
“It’s a nice place to visit but not to live. I tried it once and only lasted a year before I headed back to Tennessee.”
Tennessee? He lived in Tennessee? That was a let down. Although I was sure he lived in a nice big house somewhere expensive. It was still the south. He looked like he belonged somewhere bigger. Brighter. Shinier.
“You look disappointed,” he said. He was either very perceptive or I was just easy to read.
“Oh, no. I just didn’t expect you to live in Tennessee. I was surprised.”
He let out a chuckle then turned his attention to the display. “What do you suggest today?”
He was changing the subject and I was so thankful I moved over to the case and opened it up. “The chocolate cupcakes have raspberry cream inside. Fresh raspberries are in them also. The cobbler is nice and warm.” I couldn’t even sell the cobbler to him. I was terrible. He might not even buy me something today. I should have tried harder with the cobbler. It was delicious. It just wasn’t a mystery.
“I’ll take four cupcakes,” he replied.
I boxed them and placed them on the counter. “Coffee?” I asked him.
“Please.”
After fixing his coffee I handed it to him. “Nine dollars and fifteen cents,” I told him.
He reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty, guiding it across the counter. “I don’t need the change,” he said. He then opened his box and lifted a cupcake, which left me three again. I wanted to ask him why three, but he turned to exit the bakery. I watched him retreat, then stop, revolving to look right at me. It made my stomach do a little flip.
“Thank you for the cupcakes,” I said, quickly before I forgot.
“I have a penthouse in Manhattan, Chicago and Boston. A cabin in Colorado, and a townhouse in San Francisco.” Then he tuned and left. Just like that. As if nothing more needed to be added, said or otherwise mentioned. I myself had nothing to add. I lived in a room with my sisters. Sometimes we confused our panties. I couldn’t imagine having five residences. Or even having a room to myself.
Chapter Ten
Strings of white lights covered the ceiling of the large barn in Moulton’s center. It was here before the town and as a historical monument was well preserved and tended. Town events happened here. The doors were slid open in the back and front inviting the warm evening breeze. The trees outside were also decorated, the live music that was playing from the make shift stage was just inside the barn.
Colorful flowers were placed like a maze around the stage and through both entries. These led you to dance and to the drinks and snacks, but they were sure to trip a few. Girls were in their dresses and boots or heels while the guys were all in jeans, their plaid shirts as stiff as boards. Laughter mixed with the music from Herman Borris’s band and it all seemed very typical. The usual. Nothing new.
Jamie looked toward the drink table. “Do you think the punch has already been spiked? I smell cornmash in the air like incense. It’s a moonshine evening for sure.”
Probably. “You had better stick with water or sweet tea¸” I responded.
She nodded in agreement. I had hoped all day that Ben would call her and ask Jamie to the dance tonight. I kept scanning the crowd for a sign of him or his truck around the square. I was trying to let him adjust and make a plan, but right now I wanted to wring his neck for his immature behavior and neglecting my best friend. Jamie was dressed in a lovely white chiffon dress that stopped at her knees and was strapless. It came straight off the rack of a department store in Cullman. She paid over one hundred dollars for it and she looked gorgeous.
Ben shouldn’t be missing this.
I watched as she looked through the crowd. She was nervous and the way she kept fidgeting with her dress made me want to pop her hand. She didn’t need to be nervous. She needed to walk around like the beauty she was and own that. Be as natural as possible under the circumstances and enjoy an evening with me.
“Do you think he’ll come?” she asked. I reached down to take the hand that was picking the ruffled chiffon. I squeezed until she squeezed back.
“If he doesn’t then he’s missing out. You look amazing. Dance with everyone who asks and enjoy yourself.”
She nodded without looking convinced.
I saw Cole Marsh walking our way and his eyes were on me. Crap.
“Hello ladies,” he said, not acknowledging Jamie’s existence, except for making ladies plural. That infuriated me so I attacked.
“Cole,” I said in a voice that didn’t sound pleased or inviting. “You ass,” I quietly mumbled, Cole not hearing a thing.
“You look gorgeous as always,” he said. I turned my gaze away and winced.
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Imbecile.” I was disgusted with men in general.
“Herman’s got it rolling up there. Want to join me for a go on the dance floor?”
“No thanks.” I then cut my eyes back at him. I actually felt them flash. If he asked Jamie now I’d be pissed. That was an obvious diss. Like the dumbass he obviously was, he finally looked at Jamie. “What about you? Want to dance?”