Catching the strap of my bag, I toss it over the shoulder and head back to the car. At least her place is close.
The savory aroma of celery and garlic, meat and potatoes fills my nose when I open the door. Elaine’s got the top off her slow cooker, and the golden boy is right behind her, lifting her light-blonde hair and kissing her neck.
“Okay, knock it off,” I complain in a loud, teasing voice.
Elaine drops the lid with a cry and crosses the room to hug me. “How are you feeling?” She leans back and studies my face with a frown. “You look tired.”
“I am tired! I told you that.” I hug her back. “You dragged me over here, now give me food. And I won’t sit and watch you two making out all through dinner.”
Patrick leans against the counter smiling at us. His arms are crossed over his lined chest, and he’s perfectly handsome in faded jeans and a dark green tee. His sandy-brown hair is shaggy in his hazel eyes.
I’ve never been happier about my best friend’s love life. Elaine used to play it safe when it came to men, which doesn’t suit her personality at all. She was miserable with Boring Brian, and I’m glad she took a chance and stepped outside her comfort zone. Patrick is just the sweet bad boy she needs.
“Hey, girl.” His voice always sounds like sunshine. “Ginger ale?”
“Sure.” I nod, dropping my bag on the counter and allowing Elaine to pull me to the couch in their living room.
“So what did you find out?”
I shake my head as Patrick hands me a white wine glass filled with light amber soda. “Nothing.”
“He didn’t tell you anything?” Cutting my eyes as I take a sip, she squeals a laugh. “You horny pregnant lady! What exactly were you doing with your mouth all weekend?”
Ginger ale almost comes out my nose. “Shut up!” I pinch her arm and set the glass on the side table.
“Oh, please. You think Patrick’s shocked?
He just laughs, going back to the kitchen. “How is the big guy?”
Chewing my bottom lip, I opt for “Energetic.”
“No wonder you’re so tired. Come on then.” My slender friend hops off the couch and pulls me back to the kitchen. “This beef stew I cooked smells delicious.”
“Does it count as cooking if you buy all the ingredients premade?”
“Don’t be grouchy.”
E
laine pulls down three bowls while Patrick slices French bread. He glances up at me. “How was the drive?”
“Long.” My elbows are bent, and I rest my forehead on my palms, rubbing away my exhaustion. “I had the strangest feeling…” I shake my head with a little laugh. “I’m sure it was just road fatigue, but I kept thinking I saw the same car behind me the whole way.”
Patrick’s hand pauses mid-slice, then without a word, he starts cutting again. Elaine’s suddenly quiet, and I look around to see what just happened.
“That’s silly, right?”
His sunny smile is back in a flash, and Patrick tosses the bread in a bowl. “Yeah. Probably just somebody headed the same direction as you.”
Right when I turn away, I’m certain I catch a look pass between the two of them, but when I glance back, it’s gone. I am seriously exhausted and seeing things.
“You should spend the night here if you’re so tired.” Elaine puts a steaming bowl of stew in front of me then sets hers at the place across from me where she sits.
Taking the large spoon from beside my bowl, I dip out a carrot from the yummy-smelling broth. “Mmm… I want to sleep in my own bed tonight. But thanks.”
Patrick joins us, handing us each a piece of bread before he sits. I rip out the center of mine and dunk it in the dark brown gravy. “This really is delicious. Thanks for making me come over.”
Elaine exhales a little laugh and then falls silent, eating. We’re all three pretty quiet, which is unusual for our group. I’d complain if I weren’t feeling sleep trying to roll over me in giant waves. Instead, I take another warm bite of savory meat.