Bun for Your Life (7 page)

Brian came in a few minutes later while I was in the living room making sure they had gotten all the boxes to the truck. “Looks strange in here with all your furniture and stuff gone. Ed's going to be moving in next weekend.” He grabbed my hand and held it. “Tell me again why we ever got divorced, Molly.”

Now he wanted to discuss that? His hand was warm, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was so going to miss him. It's not as if I was moving that far away, but I also didn't exactly embrace change well. “Because. We got married too young, we grew apart, and then you, and I quote, ‘had strong feelings' for Brittany the Bimbette and wanted to divorce me so you could sleep with her.”

Looking embarrassed, he ran a hand through his hair. “Oh, yeah. I was such an idiot. We only lasted two weeks.”

The worst two weeks of my life. Luckily, I was over all that now. I looked up into his eyes and my breath caught. I hoped he wasn't going to kiss me. He had that intense, misty look in his eyes that means a kiss is about to follow. I hadn't forgotten. But not in front of the movers traipsing in and out. Never mind he belonged to Lola. I couldn't kiss him. I refused to kiss him. I pulled my hand away. “Now you're in love with Lola.”

He smiled. “Yeah, you're right. I'll miss you, that's all. If you need anything, call. Anytime.”

“I will.”

“I guess I'll let you finish up. Come in and say good-bye before you go.”

Another thing at which I am abysmally awkward: significant good-byes. I glanced out the living room window. The movers were milling around the truck. “Can we just do it now, Bri? It's not like we won't ever see each other. We're friends, right?”

He drew me into a hug and leaned his chin on my head. “Of course we are. That's not going to change.”

Tears dripped down my cheeks. So ridiculous. I didn't even know what I was crying about.

“I love you, you know that,” he said.

I nodded and hugged him, using his shirt as a tissue. “Me too.”

He pulled away and grinned at me. “Don't cry.”

“I have allergies.” It was the only thing I could think of. We both knew it was a lie. “Thanks for letting me live here.”

“No problem. I feel bad about asking you to leave. I want you to believe me.”

I smiled at him, so he'd know there were no hard feelings. “You do what you have to do. I love my new place. It's perfect for me. I hope everything works out with Lola.”

“Thanks, Moll. Me too. I've learned a lot about relationships since you and I were married.” He backed away. “Take care. Text me when you're all settled, now that you've found your phone.”

I nodded. “As soon as I get a new battery for it. Take care.” I watched him leave. I went into the bathroom and grabbed some toilet paper to wipe my eyes. I looked in the mirror. Lovely. I wasn't a pretty crier. My face was all splotchy and my eyes were red. I hoped I could get myself together before the auction tonight. I hoped I'd have energy to even go after unpacking all my stuff.

I spent the rest of the morning in my new apartment directing the movers where to put my furniture and boxes. Most of the boxes went into the kitchen, which, for an apartment, was large, with a nice big window above a double white ceramic sink. I love cooking, so I have a lot of cookbooks, utensils, pans, a couple of food processors, etc.

The rest of the boxes held my clothes, books, CDs, movie videos, dishes, silverware, and stuff from the bathroom. I'm not big on knickknacks, so I didn't have a lot of those. I did have a lot of artwork to hang on the walls. I'm very partial to photography and watercolors.

“Hello, dear? Are you in here, Molly? Yoo-hoo!”

I stopped unpacking one of the boxes in the kitchen and hurried to the front door. “Dottie, hi. Come in.”

She held a plate and a Thermos in her hand. “That's not necessary, dear. It's lunchtime. I was afraid you didn't have your dishes and glasses unpacked yet, so I brought you a ham sandwich, the chocolate chip cookies I promised you, an apple, and lemonade iced tea. I made it myself. It's not from a box, I can assure you.”

“You're an angel.” I took the plate and Thermos from her. “Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome. It was nothing.” She peered around. “Looks like they're almost done. I am so excited you're here. I'll get going now. I don't want to interfere, and I've got grocery shopping to do. Make sure the movers have your bed all set up, so you can put your sheets on it first thing. That way you can plop right in tonight. Can I get you anything from the store?”

I smiled at her. “No, but thank you so much for asking.”

“Don't worry about the plate and Thermos, you can return them anytime.”

By the time Dottie had gone back downstairs, the movers were done. I gave them a check, doled out a tip to each of them with a promise I'd recommend them to anyone I knew who was moving. As soon as they were out the door I ate the sandwich and apple, drank some of the lemonade iced tea, and put the cookies away for later. Before I did anything else, I took a ride to the phone store and got a new battery for my cell phone. When I returned to my new home, I found the box marked
Sheets and Blankets
, took Dottie's advice about making the bed, then went back to unpacking the boxes in the kitchen. By five o'clock I was ready to quit. A break was definitely in order. The auction started at eight, so I had to start getting ready by at least six thirty. I took the Thermos Dottie had left and went downstairs. I sat on the porch steps and finished the lemonade iced tea.

I wondered if Dottie would let me sell it at the bakery. I'd have to tell Olivia about it. I bet it would be a huge hit. Maybe even sell it warm when it got really cold outside. Even though we were days away from Thanksgiving, today it had stayed in the upper sixties.

I watched a big black pickup truck pull up beside my car in the driveway. I remembered Dottie saying the other tenant
had a dog. That looked like a basset hound in the front seat with his, or her, paws up on the dashboard. That's not what had my attention. It was the basset hound's owner who had my attention. Really, what were the chances?

I watched the driver exit his truck. It was definitely Detective Corsino. Unless he had a twin brother. He did kind of a double take when he saw me, and didn't smile. Apparently, he wasn't big on smiling. He had to be the other tenant. I guess Dottie hadn't mentioned my name to him. Or even that a new tenant was moving in. Not that she had to, but I got the impression she liked mothering her tenants. Detective Corsino, however, didn't look like the type who would welcome that.

“You're the sharp dresser?” I jumped up.

He stopped in front of me, looking puzzled. “Was that some kind of compliment?”

“No. I'm quoting Dottie. She's the one who said you're a sharp dresser.” I couldn't argue with her as I took in his black cargo pants and perfect-fitting royal blue polo shirt. I reached down and petted his dog.

“I do answer my phone, Ms. Tyler. It's on the business card I gave you. Remember? No need to stalk me at home. Can I help you?”

“I am not stalking you, detective. I live here. I moved in today,” I informed him. “Since we're neighbors, you may as well call me Molly.”

“Then welcome to the neighborhood. Come on, Beau, let's go.”

I was about to thank him, but he quickly disappeared around the corner. I guess he wasn't into chitchatting. Frankly, Beau looked friendlier. The detective hadn't asked me to address him as Sean, either. I gathered up the Thermos and went back to my own apartment. I'd return it, and the plate, to Dottie tomorrow.

Now, what to do for dinner? I fished my phone out of my purse and, pleased with myself for remembering how to use it, called my parents. They would be happy to feed me. My mother is an excellent cook; that's where I got my love for cooking and baking. You'd never see a box of Hamburger Helper or macaroni and cheese in a box in my mother's kitchen. Or mine, for that matter.

*  *  *

Since, as library director, my mother also had to be at the bachelor auction tonight, dinner was grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Beggars can't be choosers, right?

“I'm so excited you're going to the auction,” my mother said. “It's time you met someone nice.”

“I hope someone nice doesn't cost me an arm and a leg,” I replied. “What's the highest bid?”

“As high as you want to go. It's the first year for this, as you know. I'm very excited; we've had so many entries, and really good luck finding cream-of-the-crop bachelors. We should raise lots of money tonight for the library expansion.”

“Annie, you aren't dragging me to this shindig, are you?” My father cast a suspicious glance at my mother.

My father is a CPA. He's very good at it. His clients all love him. He adores my mother and me, but he's not outgoing like my mother. He's quiet and likes to stay at home, watch his ball games, and read. The only time he really loves going out
is to play golf with his buddies, or my mother on occasion, when he's feeling patient.

She shook her head and smiled at him as she cut into a (homemade) chocolate cake. “No, you don't need to go.”

“I'm stuffed. I can't eat cake,” I said. My jeans unfortunately hadn't gotten any looser. “I'm going to go home and get ready for tonight.”

“I can't wait to see your new place,” my mother said.

“I'll have you guys over for dinner as soon as it's all in order.”

I gave my parents both a hug, told my mother I'd see her later, and headed for home.

*  *  *

By seven thirty, I had my dress and makeup on, and my hair was swept up in one of those updos that's supposed to be casually sexy. Like you just climbed out of bed. I can tell you right now, my hair never looks like this when I climb out of bed.

I had called Olivia when I got home. I was going to meet her and Emily at the theater. I slipped on my new heels and hadn't even gotten to the front door before my feet started begging for my electric blue sneakers with their neon green laces. I ignored them. How much walking was I going to do, anyway?

The lobby of the Palace Theater was teeming with women when I arrived, their ages looking like they ran anywhere from eighteen to late sixties. Who knew there were so many single women around? Of course, the auction wasn't just for women in Destiny, so theoretically, the desperate and unattached could have come from as far away as our state's capital.

I finally spotted Olivia and Emily and made my way toward them. My mother had handed me a brochure when I walked in with bios of all the bachelors. I stuffed it in my purse without glancing at it.

The three of us made our way to our seats, and when my mother climbed up on the stage, the buzzing in the audience died down. The small theater holds close to one thousand. It wasn't full, but there was a decent-sized crowd. My mother, along with a couple of the librarians, was going to be introducing the bachelors and tracking the bidding. We all had little paddles with numbers on them that we were instructed to hold up high and wave in the air when we saw someone we wanted to bid on. The bidding started at fifty dollars.

I sort of dozed through the first seven guys. They weren't bad, don't get me wrong, they just didn't have me swooning, or wanting to part with fifty dollars. Picky? Yes, very. I came awake when my mother announced fireman Joe. Now he was someone I could share a romantic dinner with and cuddle up to later. I don't usually go for redheads, but he was hot. Pardon the pun, but it kind of fits, doesn't it? He had gorgeous, intense blue eyes; they probably electrified even the women way up in the balcony.

I went up to seventy-five dollars for him, but the bidding kept going. He finally “sold” for three hundred. Wow. That's a lot of cuddling.

Attorney Steve was next. I had actually gone out with him a few times after my divorce, but there was no spark between us. He looked good, like he'd lost a few pounds and built some muscle. I didn't want to go past fifty for him, though, and
other women felt differently. I sort of lost interest until plumber Dan, but again, I was outbidded. By Emily. Olivia spent two hundred and fifty dollars for Brandon the electrician, who owned his own company.

“You're not trying very hard,” Olivia accused me in a harsh whisper.

“I don't want just anyone,” I whispered back.

“You don't have to marry the guy—it's one dinner out. You need to up your bids. The rest of us are trouncing you. So you spend two hundred, or whatever, on a guy. Maybe you'll end up with a diamond on your left ring finger worth many times that. Even if you don't, this is supposed to be fun, and it supports the library. Your mother's library.”

I suppose she had a point. Only marriage wasn't what I wanted at the moment. What exactly did I want? I tried to concentrate on the next very eligible bachelor, instead of getting philosophical with myself, which could take hours. I lost out five more times. Olivia and Emily kept scowling at me. I ignored them.

“I've got to go to the restroom.” It wasn't a lie. I did have to go.

“What do you mean you have to go to the restroom?” Olivia whispered. “Now? There are three bachelors left. Hold it till then.”

“I can't hold it,” I hissed back. “That's what I've been doing for the past fifteen minutes. I really have to go. You have my permission to get me a bachelor. Just hold up my paddle and bid. Make sure he has a steady job, a decent haircut, and looks like he showers regularly.”

I jumped up, handed my paddle to Olivia before either she or Emily could respond, issuing a string of apologies as I made my way to the end of the aisle.

I finally scored a stall after waiting in line inside the women's restroom for what seemed like forever and breathed a sigh of relief—for both my bladder and my feet. After finishing up, then making a trip to the sink, I walked with difficulty out of the restroom. I gathered from all the women in the lobby that the auction was over. I couldn't blame Olivia for being annoyed at me for not trying harder. I was annoyed at myself. Did I not want to meet someone? Was I too cheap?

“Molly! Molly! Over here,” Emily called.

I looked around and spotted her over by the entrance to the theater. I hobbled over. “Did Olivia bid on someone for me? Where is she?”

“She's talking to someone inside. Yes, she did get you a bachelor. She thinks you're really going to be surprised.”

I felt skeptical and frowned. “Good surprised, or bad surprised?”

Emily grinned. “He's very nice-looking, has a good job, a sexy haircut, and looks clean. He didn't look thrilled about being here, but that could be the lighting on the stage. He had all the qualifications you gave Livvy. Plus, he was the last one. I think Livvy was disappointed she hadn't waited for him. Not me. I can't wait to go out with Dan. Maybe you can trade with her.”

“Did Emily tell you who I got for you?” Olivia rushed up to us. “You're going to die.”

My mind flashed to Calista. I certainly hoped not. “Wait.” I held up my hand. “How much did you spend?”

“You're going to be speechless when I tell you who it is,” Olivia continued.

“How much?”

“Four hundred.”

“What?” I screeched, drawing disapproving stares from the women milling about. “Are you crazy, Liv? Have you lost your mind? You bid four hundred of my dollars for a guy? He'd better deliver a diamond ring on our date. How could you do that?”

Olivia's smile vanished. Her eyes got all big and sad, then her lower lip curled out, which meant she was seconds away from crying mode. “You told me to get you one. You didn't tell me how much to spend. Think of your mother. She'd be disappointed if you didn't bid on anyone. You'll have a good time. Maybe you and your date, me and Brandon, and Emily and Dan can all go out together. Like bowling.”

Emily nodded. “I love that idea.”

I stared at them. They could not be serious. “Bowling? I'm not bowling. I don't even like bowling.”

“Then something else,” said Emily. “Something fun.”

“I think I'd rather be with my date alone. You still haven't told me who the guy is. He better come with a royal title at that price.”

“I'm sorry,” Olivia said, her bottom lip returning to normal. “Really. I just didn't want you to end up with no one.”

She looked so forlorn that my anger evaporated. I hugged her. “It's okay. I'm glad you did. You're right. I need to have fun. I need to meet a nice guy. Maybe it will turn into something special. So, who is he?”