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“Why are you doing this? Needling me?”
“Because
that’s what friends do.”
“Give
each other a hard time?”
“Push
each other to be their best,” he said, picking up the salad tongs to add more
to his plate.
Jen
mulled over what he’d said. She couldn’t argue.
“Okay,
so you’re right. Big deal.”
“The big
deal is that you start writing. Tonight, after I leave. And that you write
every night. Isn’t that what writers say? They have to write every day?”
She
nodded. “Clare?”
“Yep.
That’s what she’s told me a thousand times.”
“She’s
right.”
“Damn,
lady. You are some awesome cook,” he said, refilling their glasses. “You
have to take care of Stan, but you have to take care of yourself, too. If you
don’t, there will be nothing left to give him. And your marriage will die.”
His
words terrified her. Already overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care
of Stan, now she had to dance to Terry’s tune and do the right thing for
herself.
“I’m
going to be checking up on you. Don’t think you can pretend to write. I’m going
to want chapter and verse, lady.”
“I’m
going to find Willie another girlfriend.” She frowned.
He
laughed again, lifting his glass.
When she offered dessert, Terry patted his belly and shook his head. But she brought out zabaglione and strawberries anyway. When he saw the silver bowl full of tempting cream and juicy berries, his eyes grew wide.
She asked Terry a few pointed questions about things with Clare, but he didn’t have any answers and seemed reluctant to put their relationship on the examination table. She left it alone. Having a friend who cared enough to tell you the truth was rare. She wouldn’t wreck it by poking her nose into his business. By nine, they had finished their meal.
“Why
don’t you get Queenie and we can take the last walk together.”
“Sounds
like a plan. I’ll be back in fifteen,” he said, scooting out the door.
The
house tour would have to wait. Perhaps that was a good thing. Taking him into
her bedroom, probably wasn’t a good idea at the moment. Shame filled her. As
she hooked up Willie, she talked to the pug.
“It’s
okay to think Terry’s hot, right? I mean, thinking someone’s hot isn’t doing
anything about it, is it? Of course not. You’ll keep me safe, Willie, right?”
That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by.