Page 95 of Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense
“I, uh…” I fumble for words, suspicion warring with the desire to be included. “Who else will be there?”
“The usual suspects. Craig from the hardware store, Jason who runs the microbrewery downtown, my colleague Mike from the vet clinic.”
I stand there, coffee pot still in hand, trying to figure out Daniel’s angle. Is this a genuine invitation or some kind of test?Or worse, is he trying to establish some kind of dominance, showing me he’s the one with the connections, the one who belongs here?
Daniel studies my face, amusement slowly spreading across his features. “You’re really overthinking this, aren’t you?”
“No,” I lie, then immediately backtrack. “Maybe a little. It’s just…” I hesitate, then decide to just ask the question that’s been eating at me. “Look, are you and Caitlin…?” I let the question hang unfinished.
Daniel’s eyebrows shoot up, and then he laughs, not unkindly, but with genuine surprise. “Caitlin and me? No, not at all.” He shakes his head. “We’re friends. Good friends, but that’s it.”
The relief I feel is so intense it’s almost embarrassing. “Oh.”
“Is that why you’ve been giving me the death glare every time I come in here?” Daniel asks, still looking amused. “Because you thought Caitlin and I were a thing?”
“I haven’t been giving you death glares,” I protest, though I suspect that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
“Please.” Daniel rolls his eyes. “Every time I stop by to see Caitlin, you look at me like you’re mentally measuring me for a coffin. I told Caitlin that I’ve been waiting for you to challenge me to a duel or something.”
Despite myself, I laugh. “I’m not the dueling type.”
“That’s what she said.” He laughs as he sips his coffee.
“So,” Daniel continues, “guys’ night. You in? If you’re going to be part of this community, you should get to know some people besides the Hughes family and your customers.”
He has a point. I’ve been in Cedar City for months now, and my entire social circle consists of people from work and Caitlin’s family. And most of those relationships are still fragile, built on tentative forgiveness and cautious second chances.
“I should probably check with Caitlin first,” I say hesitantly. “Make sure she’s comfortable with it.”
Daniel raises an eyebrow. “Already did. She’s fine with it. Actually, she thought it was a good idea.”
“She did?” This surprises me more than the invitation itself.
“She did,” Daniel confirms.
“So you’ll come?” Daniel pulls out his phone. “I can text you the address and details.”
I hesitate for one final moment, then nod. “Yeah, I’ll come. Thanks for the invitation.”
We exchange numbers, and Daniel taps out a quick text with his address and the time. My phone buzzes in my pocket as it arrives.
“Fair warning,” Daniel says, finishing his coffee. “Jason cheats at poker, but he’s terrible at it. Craig brings the good beer but talks nonstop about his ex-wife. And Mike will try to show you pictures of every animal he’s treated that week, including the gross ones.”
“Sounds like a fun crowd,” I say, and I’m surprised to find I mean it. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a normal guys’ night.
“See you tomorrow, then?” Daniel asks.
“I’ll be there,” I confirm.
As I head back towards the kitchen, I notice Mr. Sullivan waving at me from his booth. I brace myself for another menu revision, but when I approach, he’s beaming.
“This pot pie is delicious,” he says. “Although not as good as my Ellie’s, though don’t tell Peter I said that. Her crust was a touch flakier.” He takes another bite, then asks, “Was that Daniel Wright I saw you talking to? Nice young man. Saved my Reggie when he got into the chocolate last Christmas. Did I ever tell you about Reggie? Best beagle a man could ask for.”
Mr. Sullivan launches into the tale of his beloved dog’s chocolate misadventure, and I think about tomorrow night. Anormal social gathering, with normal guys, talking about normal things. I can’t wait.
33
Chapter 33
