to sort through.”
“A rummage sale of old lovers,” Terri suggested. Her client laughed, and the other women at the shop joined in.
“I’ll wear my black blouse,” Rachel said decisively. “I don’t care if Larry ruins that.” Then, looking at Maryellen, she added in a whisper, “I can’t afford to be picky. My car’s in sad shape.”
Jane reached for the calendar. “We could make it a Halloween party,” she announced. “What do you think?”
The immediate consensus was that a Halloween party was a good idea.
“That’ll give us a little more than two weeks to come up with some fun ideas. Let’s get this organized.”
“Yeah.”
“You bet.”
“Count me in.”
Maryellen wasn’t sure how it happened, but despite her original reluctance, she soon found herself involved.
“How are we going to get the guys to come?” Jane, the most practical of the group, asked. “I don’t think Floyd would be interested in dating me again.”
“Larry could be married for all I know.”
“Ask,” Maryellen said. “And you need to be up-front with them. Explain to the guy that you’re bringing him to the party as your guest, but he’ll be meeting other women once he gets there.”
“I’ll let Larry know that someone’s dying to meet him,” Terri said.
“Perfect!” Rachel sounded absolutely delighted.
When Maryellen left Get Nailed, her head was spinning. She really hadn’t meant to become part of this scheme, although she’d started the conversation.
She didn’t know how the others planned to handle this, but she certainly wasn’t going to wait for the last minute to mention the party to Jon. When Terri had talked about wanting to meet a man who enjoyed food, he’d come instantly to mind. In retrospect, Maryellen regretted mentioning his name. She didn’t know what had prompted her. It was probably because he’d been in her thoughts ever since their last meeting. This latest group of photographs was some of his best work to date, and she’d been almost sorry they’d sold so quickly.
Considering that she’d suggested the direct approach to the others, she felt obliged to follow her own advice. She waited a week, and then dialed the phone number listed in her Rolodex.
Jon answered on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Jon, hello, this is Maryellen Sherman.” She hesitated, waiting for some kind of acknowledgment. “The manager of Harbor Street Art Gallery,” she added.
“Yes, I know.”
She’d swear he sounded amused, which only served to fluster her more.
“I’ve been invited to a Halloween party,” she said, rushing to explain the reason for her call. “Everyone’s supposed to come with a date—well, not a date exactly. We’ve been asked to bring someone, a man, to introduce to someone else. I have this friend who’s really lovely and she likes to eat.” She grimaced, thinking that sounded kind of dumb, but plunged on, anyway. “She enjoys her food and well, her biggest wish is to meet a man who likes to cook and naturally, I thought of you.” She realized she was rambling and stopped abruptly.
There was no response.
“Would you be interested in attending the party?” she finally asked. “You’d be under no obligation.” She wanted that understood. “Basically, you’d be doing me a favor.”
“By meeting this friend of yours.”
“Yes.”
“The one who enjoys a good meal.”
“Yes. Her name’s Terri, and she’s a lot of fun. I think you’d like her.”
“You’d be there?”
Maryellen sighed. “Yes, of course. I’d introduce you to Terri. So—what do you think?”
“Can I let you know later?” he asked after another long pause.
“Of course.” She figured she should feel encouraged that he hadn’t rejected her outright.
“Then I’ll be in touch.”
“Great.”
“Listen, before you go, did you get a chance to look over my pictures?”
“Oh, yes, and they’re fabulous! I’ve sold every one of them already. I was hoping you’d be bringing me more.”
“I’m working on it.”
“That would be great.” This was by far the longest and most involved conversation of their three-year working relationship.
“You haven’t come into André’s,” Jon said. “I was looking forward to cooking for you.”
“I appreciated the invitation, really I did, but I’m worried about giving you the wrong impression. Like I explained, I’m divorced and I’m not going to remarry and this party is just a friends thing…. If you came, that would be fabulous but only because I want you to meet Terri. Oh, did I mention we’re holding it at The Captain’s Galley, in the bar?” She managed to get all that out in a single breath. “Halloween night,” she added.
“I’ll get back to you.”
Maryellen thought that was fair enough.
After two glorious days and nights with her husband, Justine no longer had any doubts about her marriage. She was more in love than she’d dreamed possible.
Flying up to Alaska on the spur of the moment like that, without making any arrangements, had been preposterous, and yet she’d found Seth. Justine considered it a sign. Seth was truly meant to be her husband.
In a few weeks he’d be home, and they could discuss the future and make the necessary plans for their lives together. There had been so many pressing questions she’d wanted to ask him. But once they were together, none of them had seemed all that important. The only thing that mattered was lying in Seth’s arms, sharing their love.
Justine vowed that if Seth asked it of her, she’d live aboard his sailboat for the rest of her life. But she suspected he’d probably want to move in with her. Staying in her apartment was more practical than living at the marina.
She’d told him about sleeping on his boat at her most desperate moments, seeking to feel closer to him. From his reaction, she knew he’d been touched by her fears. He’d kissed her again and again as she described her doubts, all the while whispering reassurances and promises. Justine had left Alaska feeling deeply loved.
The following Friday night, Justine dropped by her mother’s house on Lighthouse Road. She hadn’t been avoiding Olivia, but she hadn’t sought her out, either.
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