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"You helped me move and then made me pizza." He grinned. "Traditionally, the guy being moved buys. So, if I bring you dinner tonight, would that be cool?"
Erin blinked up at him, surprised. "Sure. But you don't have to."
"I want to." He stared into her eyes, unsmiling. "Do you have a grill out here, too?"
"Over there." She broke his stare and pointed at the counter next to the fireplace on the patio.
He chuckled. "Good. 'Cause about all I know how to cook is protein with fire. And salad from a bag." He laughed.
She laughed with him. Ryan had a contagious laugh; he should use it more often. "Good enough for me. I'll get the bread though."
"Awesome. Hey, lots to do.” He stood. “Thanks for the coffee. Let me know if you need help with something at the shop today."
"Sure. And thanks for staying."
He smiled. "Anytime." His smile died. "Sorry about the nightmare."
"Not like you're trying to have them, right? By the way, I heard there's a new therapy for nightmares. You think through the scene and then change it in your mind to a good ending, and you think about it that way over and over, and if you do that enough, you can train yourself out of the nightmare."
His smile morphed to unreadable blank while she spoke. "Huh. I'll have to try it."
Erin couldn't tell if his response was "I don't care" or "I'll give it a shot." She smiled encouragingly. "You should. It's brand new. You might have heard about it if you were still in therapy or a support group."
Ryan scowled. "I have a mom; I don't need another."
"Sorry. I hate to think of you suffering like that. I'll shut up about it now, though." Erin turned and stared at the fireplace, clamping her mouth shut.
Ryan stood there for a moment, then went back inside. She heard the front door open, close, and his car start and drive away. She’d had to try. And now she had confirmation. She was in mom territory, not lover. Erin rolled her eyes. No duh.
Resigned to the confrontation, Erin went inside and grabbed her phone. Three voicemails from Mom. Angry, call me. Angry, call me now. Angry, stop being a child and call me. No apology. Gee, there's a surprise. Erin checked the time. Mom would be with her Saturday morning ladies' golf group, busy gossiping and slaughtering reputations. Not that she would ever admit to gossiping. No, her mother "networked."
Erin sent a text: "Won't make it tonight. Take someone else."
No way she was going to say sorry, not when Mother wouldn't. And she wasn't sorry about her actions. Not one little bit. Erin put the phone down carefully, even though she wanted to throw it. Mother wouldn't answer until her golf game was over because it was "rude to use the phone when you are with others." Of course, she never kept that rule with Erin. Erin didn't count. Not for the first time, she wondered why Mother ever had a child. Dad's influence? Too bad he died so young. Erin shook away the faint memories of happier times.
She should channel this anger positively. She could go for a run before it got too hot. Putting some workout clothes on, she grabbed her headphones, warmed up, and walked down her driveway, breaking into a jog at the highway. The asphalt path beside the highway was busy. Lots of runners, bikers, dog walkers, and one roller blader. By the time she got back to her house, she was sweaty and tired, but it was a good tired. She added pushups and sit-ups and called it good enough.
After a shower, she headed downtown in Smoky. Downtown Marcus was small but cute. One main street, but the blocks surrounding downtown were beautiful. A mix of Victorian, log, stone, and brick homes with huge, old maples and hawthorns shading the streets; the area between the main street and the County Courthouse was particularly gorgeous. It was also the location of the weekly farmer's market. She'd pick up veggies for the next week and see some friends. Maybe someday she'd have time for her own garden, but not this year.
Erin wandered the small market, picking up produce and spreading her purchases among the various farmers. She chatted with friends along the way, saving Deb's stand for last. As usual, there were people waiting for cupcakes.
"Hi, Deb!"
Deb waved enthusiastically, blonde hair bobbing, a big grin on her pretty face. "Hi, Erin! Long time, no see. How's the new guy working out?"
Erin stood off to the side so Deb could keep working. "Great. He's not chatty, but he's good with coffee and polite to the customers, and the older women love him."
Deb flashed a grin. "And I've heard he’s easy on the eyes, too. That can't hurt, huh?"
Erin laughed. "He is that. Why do you think the ladies love him?" She really shouldn’t encourage others to objectify him, even her friends.
Deb's grin died. "I also heard he caused some trouble, or you did, or both."
Erin scowled. The Marcus gossip mill was grinding away. She lowered her voice and stepped closer. "The Custs caused trouble. First, old lady Cust tried to demand special service, when we were really busy, and got all in my face about it. So, I told her she didn't know what service was. I got a standing ovation. But..." Erin swallowed. "I really shouldn't have lost my temper like that. Not over something so trivial."
"She's horrible, Erin," Deb whispered. "Thinks all that money entitles her to special treatment. I always make her wait at my store too. She's rude. But that wasn't the worst of it, right?"
"No. Chaz came in to 'check on his car' and pinned me between the car and his slimy self." She shuddered. "I told him to get off of me for the last time and was about to hit him with a wrench when Ryan pulled him off and sent him flying halfway across the garage."
