laughed. ‘I’ll see you later at Tony’s.’
‘Can’t wait.’
The day went fast and after showing the Randalls four properties I was beginning to think we’d never find the perfect place. But when I pulled up to the luxurious brick home in a new bundled golf community, they were the most excited I’d seen them all day.
By the time I finished showing them the four-bedroom, three-bath home, I knew they were smitten. This home was perfect, just what they’d been looking for.
It reminded me that so often in life we’re not exactly sure what we’re looking for. But we know it when we see it. There’s something about it that says, this is right for me. I knew the Randalls had found their Happy Ever After, I just hoped that one day I would find mine.
A couple of hours later, I delivered the Randalls’ offer to the listing agent on my way to meet Jackie. Tony’s always drew a crowd on taco night, but Jackie’s blow-in-the-wind fiery red hair was hard to miss. I walked to the bar and slid into the seat she’d saved next to her.
She looked up from her phone. ‘About time you got here.’
I hung my purse on the hook under the bar. ‘Sorry, I had to finish some paperwork.’
Jackie smiled. ‘Make a sale?’
‘Hopefully. The out-of-town buyers I told you about loved the last property I showed them.’
Jackie sipped her rum and Coke. ‘Great!’
I ordered a gin and diet tonic. ‘I’m starved. I barely ate anything all day.’
‘Me, too. I’ve been saving my calories for tacos!’
‘I didn’t know you were counting calories,’ I said.
‘Some lady at work is doing it and talked me into doing it with her. I cheat a lot though.’
I laughed.
The bartender slid my drink in front of me and took our orders.
‘So, Bruce asked me where I wanted to go for our twentieth anniversary,’ Jackie said.
I turned to face Jackie and nearly fell off my bar stool.
‘Yeah, I know. It surprised me, too. We both know how frugal he is. When I said I wanted to go to Paris, he had a coughing fit so severe I thought he was going to pass out. As soon as he recovered, he made a dozen excuses why that wouldn’t be a good idea. Overseas travel is dangerous. Neither of us speak French. Blah blah blah. But the real reason was that a trip to Paris cost a lot more than he planned on spending. He suggested going to the beach.’
‘But you always go to the beach,’ I said. ‘That wouldn’t be that special.’
‘Exactly!’
‘Well, maybe he’ll come around,’ I said.
‘He’d better if he wants to go to Canada.’
‘Canada?’
‘Yeah. A few hours after we had the Paris discussion, he tells me he wants to go on a fishing trip to Canada with his buddies. I figured it was probably why he brought up a twentieth-anniversary trip in the first place. I told him if he’s going on a fishing trip, I’m going to Paris – with or without him.’
‘I’d go,’ I said. ‘Do you think Bruce would mind if we went? I mean, it wouldn’t be the romantic vacation you dreamed about, but…’
Jackie laughed. ‘Romantic? Bruce’s idea of being romantic is buying me a new flashlight to keep in my car which, by the way, he did the other day. Let’s face it, after twenty years the romance isn’t what it once was.’
I laughed. ‘Having a flashlight in your car isn’t a bad idea.’
Jackie nodded. ‘Agreed. But having four of them is a bit unnecessary. Anyway, enough about Bruce. If he doesn’t want to go to Paris, we’ll go. Now tell me about Eric T.’
‘He seems nice, but I’m not sure it will go anywhere.’
Jackie shook her finger at me. ‘Don’t do that.’
‘Do what?’
‘Shut the door before you explore what’s on the other side,’ she said. ‘A date or two isn’t going to hurt anything. Besides, distance might be a good thing. Close enough that you can see each other on weekends but not too close that you feel as if you must spend every night together. You never know, he might just end up being the one you’d shave your legs for!’
We laughed again.
Jackie was right about one thing. I wasn’t the type of woman who had to be with someone all the time. As the only child of a single alcoholic mom, I was used to entertaining myself and being alone. I liked my space.
‘Anything new with the kids?’ I asked.
‘Nick’s going to the prom. Actually, let me show you what he did.’ Jackie grabbed her cell phone and scrolled through the photos until she came to one of white lights on a small hill.
I put on my reading glasses. ‘Oh, too cute.’
The lights were arranged to spell ‘Prom?’.
Jackie laughed. ‘The kids try to up one another when it comes to these promposals. Nick surprised me. He thought of it himself. Dug out the Christmas lights and set it up at his buddy’s house.’
I scratched my head. ‘But it looks like it’s out in the middle of nowhere. How’d he power it?’
‘A generator.’
I shook my head. ‘Everything is so much more complicated than when we were young.’
‘Tell me about it,’ Jackie said. ‘And costlier. At least Nick has my romantic genes and not his father’s.’
We laughed.
‘It’s true that Bruce has never been Mr Romantic,’ I said, ‘but you have to admit the man is amazing in so many other ways. And he adores you. He’d never cheat on you. Ever! You’re lucky to have him.’
‘I know. And I don’t mean to complain. No one is perfect. God knows I have my own issues that drive Bruce crazy. And his lack of romance wouldn’t bother me so much if he wasn’t so tight. It’s not like we don’t have the money to go to Paris.’
‘But you know why that is,’ I said. ‘Bruce grew up having nothing, worked his ass off to build his business and provide for you and the kids.’
Two orders of tacos and three drinks later, Jackie and I were caught up, at least for the night. I headed home. Eric would be calling in less than an hour.
I tried to keep busy by tidying up
