“Who knows? He’s a strange dude. Maybe he’s afraid the boogeyman’s going to get him if he ever goes over there.”
“Good point. His reaction was over the top, so maybe fear is a factor.”
He pushed himself off her desk. “I know I’m not going to waste any more time or energy in trying to figure him out. I think I’ll take off. What about you?”
“Yeah. I’m beat—it’s been a weird day.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night at seven.”
“I’m looking forward to it and the blackberry margaritas at Alfonso’s.”
Joey chuckled. “It’s good to know you rank having dinner with me as high as the margaritas.”
She smiled. “It’s an honor, you know. See you tomorrow,” she said, slinging her enormous purse over her shoulder.
A few minutes later, she steered her car in the direction of the deli. After the day she’d had, the last thing she wanted was to go home and cook. A Styrofoam box brimming with Aunt Rosa’s spaghetti and meatballs sounded perfect.
The line outside the deli stretched far beyond the front door, and Angie drove past it and turned into the alley. Securing a spot near the back door of Bella Vita, she pulled down the visor, reapplied her lipstick, fluffed her hair, then slid out of the car.
As she pushed open the door, nervous butterflies assaulted her stomach, and—much to her chagrin—she hoped she’d run into Crow at the deli counter. Placing her hands on her belly to quell her jitters, she bit the inside of her bottom lip in vexation and walked into the store.
“Angie,” Regina said. “I didn’t know you were working tonight.”
“I’m not. I just stopped by to pick up some food for dinner. You guys are really busy.”
“It’s Friday night, and no one wants to cook.” A bemused smiled played on Regina’s lips. “You just missed Crow.”
Disappointment wove through her, even though she knew it was ridiculous.
“So?” she said as nonchalantly as she could muster.
“So, your streak of running into him is still going on.”
“Well, I didn’t technicallyruninto him today. Anyway, it’s a small town.”
Regina cocked her head to the side. “He asked about you.”
“Oh,” she said as a fuzzy warmth spread through her.
“He seemed bummed when I told him you weren’t here. Then he asked if you were working over the weekend.”
“Uh-huh.” Angie pretended to be looking for something in her purse. She needed a few seconds to push down the juvenile reaction that was going on inside her. To say that it annoyed her was an understatement.
“You’re not fooling me. Face it—you’re just as attracted to him as he is to you. It’s not a big deal.”
Looking up, she nodded. “You’re exactly right—noneof this is any big deal.”
“All right … Whatever you say. I just don’t get why you’re afraid to admit that you’re attracted to Crow. It doesn’t mean you’re going to hook up with him or ride into the sunset together. I think you’re being too defensive, which means you’re definitely into him.” She laughed.
“I thought you were studying business, not psychotherapy. I admit, he’s good-looking, but a lot of guys are. Like, take my friend, Joey. He’s nice-looking too. So what?”
“So he’s your friend, and you don’t get all flushed and bothered when he’s around. I wouldn’t say that was true with Crow.” Regina threw Angie another infuriating know-it-all smile.
“I’m not interested in any guy inthatway. Oh, by the way, Joey and I will meet you and Vinny at High Dive tomorrow night. We’re going to Alfonso’s for dinner first. What time will you guys be there?”
Laughing, Regina held up her hands. “Okay, I get it—you want to stop talking about younotbeing attracted to the hot biker. We’ll be there around nine or ten. Vinny’s taking me to Abrusci’s for dinner, but I’m jealous you’re going to Alfonso’s—I love that place.”
“Vinny doesn’t?”