I hold my hand up, not wanting to know more.
“Can I eat my lunch?”
“Sorry. Tons of ways, really. But yeah, I’ll be quiet.” She shrugs, then coughs to hide the words “Carole Baskin.”
I narrow my eyes at her.
She scribbles something down in her notebook. “Okay, okay. Fine. Give me some details, and I won’t have to dig. I’m only asking for a few little scraps. I’m your best friend, that means you have to tell me.” She looks so proud of herself for trying to guilt me, but I know she’s right.
“He has an adorable fur baby named Lint. He’s the sweetest thing ever.” If looks could kill I’d be dead. I don’t think that’s the type of details Glory had in mind. I spill more, because who else am I going to talk to about this? I’m dying to get her opinion on Big. This dating thing is new to me.
“Your kisses sound intense,” she says appreciatively.
Thinking about them makes my heart flutter. Everything about Big does that to me really. I’ve never been attracted to someone the way I am to him. He seemed hesitant at first because of our age difference, but once I reassured him that I was good with it, he seemed to relax.
“They are,” I whisper loudly over the table, unable to control my excitement. “But he doesn't take it further than that.” I can’t hide the disappointment in my voice.
I see him every day. Sometimes we go out to his place and watch the animals, and he takes me for a ride. His cat Lint has fast become my precious little baby, always purring for me and loving on me as Big glares at him. Other times we go to lunch, but nothing ever goes past a heavy make-out session. My body feels like it’s on this weird edge of arousal all the time, and it’s making me crazy.
He pinned me to the door of my place when he was dropping me off. We kissed until my mouth started to ache, but when I invited him inside he said he needed to stop by the bar and make sure everything was good there. I’m not sure if it’s true or not. But I can’t imagine him lying to me.
“I’m not sure what to think of that. It’s not like I’m loaded with experience here.” This is true. “Ezra, can we get another round of fries? We’re gonna need it.”
“Sure thing,” he says when he tops off my iced tea.
I wait for him to be out of earshot before I keep going. “He’s not just trying to get into my pants. It’s weird. Isn’t that what most guys do?”
Glory snorts a laugh, almost choking on her cherry Coke.
“I’m rubbing myself all over him and still nothing.”
“So it might be good he’s not trying to push. He’s a bit older, so maybe that means he’s looking for something more long term. Not to just hit it and quit it.”
I can’t believe she actually said those words out loud. “Or maybe he’s not that into me? Shouldn't he be ripping off my clothes if I’m giving him the all clear?”
Glory lifts her brows as if she can’t even comprehend the idea that a man wouldn’t be into me. “It figures. The one time I actually welcome male attention due to my looks, they fail me miserably.” For most of my life I’ve hated the fact that I’m pretty. I’m not being conceited or cocky about it. It’s the truth.
“Are you giving the all clear?”
“I cling to him like a koala bear,” I admit. My face fills with heat. “What if he thinks I’m a clinger, and he’s worried?” Oh my God! Why haven’t I thought of that before? What if I’m coming off as desperate and that’s what’s making him hesitant?
“You know koala bears can be really mean.”
“Stay on subject.”
“Sorry! You can’t throw out a cute looking bear and not think the subject might linger on that.”
I glare at her.
“Don’t cling then. Problem solved.” That advice is so not helpful. I pick up my phone to see if I have any texts from him. Nothing.
“He never texts.” He’ll call, but those are always short and to the point.
“I think he might be from a generation that doesn't text much.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not that old.”
“What? Can you really see Big sitting in the bar with those giant hands of his texting heart emojis?”
I let out a small giggle. “I think that sounds sweet.” Now I want him to text me more. Glory is not helping.
“Play hard to get?”
I groan, dropping my head back. I don’t want to play games, but I also don’t want to scare him away. Ezra drops another round of fries on the table for us. “It’s only been a couple of days. What did you expect, to move in and have babies already?”
“No!” I try to keep a straight face, knowing she can read me really well.
“You said that really quickly and really defensively.” I shove a hot fry into my mouth. My phone buzzes on the table, and I snatch it up quickly.
“Hi.”
“Amethyst.” My dad’s voice fills my ear. I should have looked before I answered.
“Hi, Dad.”
Glory rolls her eyes.
“How are things?” he asks.
“Great actually.” Silence stretches at my response. “I’m seeing someone.”
Glory’s mouth falls open, and she shakes her head at me.
“Seeing someone?” His tone sharpens.
“Dr. Winthrop, we have a code yellow.”
“I’ll be right there,” he bites out. I’m guessing at a nurse. I’ve now put him in a mood. “When I call you later, you better answer.” He ends the call.
“Well, Dad, I work later but okay,” I mock him. It doesn't matter if he can hear me or not. He never listens anyways.
“He threatens me like he can do something about it.” I drop my phone next to the fries. He has no control over my life anymore. Still, a knot forms in my stomach.
“Don’t go there.” She pushes the fries toward me. “Your father is not going to guilt you for dating or eating french fries.”
My phone goes off again. Adalee's name appears on the screen, reminding me that I do indeed have work this afternoon.
“Crap!” I jump up from my seat. “I have to go.”
“I’ll drive you.” We both toss some money onto the table as we hurry out of the diner.
I slip into the car with Glory, my mind a mush of thoughts. “Is Big my boyfriend?” I blurt out the question.
“There is nothing boy about Big.”
Isn’t that the truth.
“But if he’s not my boyfriend does that mean we’re dating? Can he date other people?”
“We can spy on him after work if you want.” Glory perks up at her own idea. I don’t hate the thought of it. Which only makes me realize I really am a clinger.
Crap. I am going to be the one thing on earth that might actually scare a person like Big.
10
Big
The bar is already humming for the evening. Judge Garvey and his wife are cleaning up at the pool table, and the regulars have already tossed back a few drinks and are working on livening up the evening.