laughing to herself. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but contented herself with just a smile. She looked at Grant, and he smiled back nervously.
“I think the gentleman may have given me too much credit about the mind reading part. I’ll be right back. Please make yourself comfortable and let me know if there is anything else I can get for you,” Isobelle said, turning to make the drinks for the new additions.
“How have you been, Grant?” Annie turned to fully face him.
“Ok,” he was still standing, his legs feeling more weak, his insides churning, even more.
Rex turned to Kat, motioning to the chair. “Have a seat. As you can see, this conversation might take forever … though you’ll probably only get about twenty words an hour from him. Let’s hear about you.”
“No, no, we chose names on the way here, and I get to go last. Besides, I would rather hear about you all first. There seems to be quite a long history you three have together.” Kat patted Rex gently on the shoulder.
“I know you want to hear about me, everybody does,” Rex paused, waiting for someone to laugh at his joke. When no one did, he continued: “So, you and Annie have been friends a long time, or did she just hire you to make sure she doesn’t kill me?”
“I’m the backup plan,” Kat smiled.
“Her idea, or yours?”
“Mine.”
Rex started laughing.
“Have a seat,” Grant said, looking at Annie. He needed to sit more than anyone. Isobelle was down the bar a ways, and she could tell when a customer needed to get off their feet.
Grant was rattled. The combination of Annie’s physical presence next to him, the reminiscences their impending meeting had inspired, and being in a car wreck earlier was getting to him. He still loved her, though he had been working on denial for a long time. He was hoping she might show some sign of tenderness or affection towards him, but so far, Annie’s behavior seemed to say that for her, this was just a meeting of old friends. Grant was hoping there was more, hoping there was something left for him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Clearly, his mouth was not getting the proper electronic impulses from his brain, because he was currently incapable of speech.
Grant did not want to leave Annie even for a second, but he was concerned that he would be contributing nothing to the meeting. He figured the women were now contemplating the possibility that he had suffered a head wound—which, ironically, was true, though the doctor who examined him after the car accident had assured him that there was nothing to be concerned about. Grant was so glad to be with his friends that he was not even paying attention to what was being said. The only thing he knew was that whatever words were being spoken were definitively not coming out of his mouth. He couldn’t get over how great Annie looked, though he wasn’t surprised that she had maintained her perfect fitness and striking facial features. As usual, he was completely taken aback by her presence. Over the last few years he had made a determined effort to get over his deep physical and emotional attachment to her, but now, after only five minutes, he was back where he had started. Maybe, he thought, if he intentionally ignored his feelings for Annie and went after Isobelle instead, he could put his life on the right path again. “Emotions and car wrecks … great combo,” he grumbled to himself.
He made eye contact with Isobelle, in between his constant focus on Annie. He looked back to Annie and pulled one of the bar stools out for her. He couldn’t get any words out, but he gestured vaguely at the stool, indicating that she should sit.
“Thanks,” Annie smiled, taking the offered seat.
Annie sat down, feeling a little shaky herself. She was trying to be cordial to Rex, someone she deemed obnoxious, and she was skeptical that he was an entirely new person after his brush with the law. She thought perhaps even a brigand deserved some compassion, but that was her nature. He did seem a bit different, in all the times he called her, so she thought maybe that was why she had given him a second chance. She was glad to see Grant, more than she thought she would be. She didn’t think it ran much deeper than putting the past behind and being friends, but that couldn’t stop her from reminiscing about all the sweet moments and good times they had shared together. She hoped she wasn’t showing these feelings, as she still hadn’t resolved them all herself. She never liked lack of resolve.
“We have a couple of hours before we have to meet some other folks. I mean, while we’re here in Rancho Mirage.” Annie said. It came out abruptly and hesitantly. Grant was startled; Annie never did things awkwardly.
“Hey, you just got here, but the more, the merrier!” Rex said.
“They probably aren’t ready for you yet,” Kat responded.
Isobelle began to move back to the group. She found all this to be fascinating. . She wasn’t in the habit of hitting on customers, but she was now more than considering it. She thought it a daunting task, given the strange dynamics of the group that she had yet to completely figure out.
“A margarita and a water,” Isobelle said, presenting them with their drinks.
“Thank you, it is hot outside,” Annie reached for the glass, giving her hands something to do.
“There is always a great thirst here in the desert, and too much thirst can be a dangerous thing,” Isobelle said, looking first at Annie, and then at Grant.
Annie paused before taking a sip of the water, watching the way Isobelle looked at Grant. Rex broke her focus.
“I know I’m going to need a lot of this while I’m here,” Rex added, pointing to his drink.
“We will try to make sure everyone gets everything they want, and more,” Isobelle smiled.
“I think she likes me,” Rex said quietly to the group.
“We all do, as far as you know,” Kat added.
“You do, for sure. Annie probably has to work up to it,” Rex said turning to Kat.
“Water isn’t going to get that done,” Grant said.
“Hey, get him another one of these, they make him talk, so maybe, what, sixteen of them, you think?” Rex said, looking at all the women.
“You think you’re funny?” Grant looked at Rex.
“It’s not braggin’, if you can do it.”
Kat laughed. “I have known Annie quite a while and it is nice to get away to the desert like this. I know Annie and I both needed a break for a bit, even if you’re here,” she said, looking at Rex.
“This is too good. You got some bohemian in you, I can tell. Maybe we should do shots of ouzo next.”
“No!” Annie said quickly, still not recovered from Isobelle’s comments about thirst.
“You’re right. We should keep our drinks in the same country. That only leaves Kahlua, or mezcal. I don’t think they have pulque.”
“No! Please?” Annie smiled.
“Tempting, but I’ll pass,” Kat said.
Kat
