Imperfectly Delicious (Imperfect Series #6) - Mary Frame Page 0,51

to help Fred.”

His eyes sharpen on me and his head tilts to find her in the truck behind me. “What’s wrong with Fred? Is she still sick?”

“No, not that.” I explain how she broke up with her long-time boyfriend and needs to move out quickly, hopefully before he gets home tonight so she doesn’t have to see him, and how we’re closing up early to get it done.

“We can do better than that. I can help.”

“What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “I have people.”

Fred appears next to me like a wired jack in the box. “Please, yes, help me. I need to get out of there, and I will take support from the devil himself if it means I can avoid Jack.”

“Give me the addresses for pick-up and delivery. What size truck will you need?”

Fred blinks at him a few times and then answers his questions.

I glance back and forth between the two of them, Guy clipped and efficient and Fred, slow at first but then responding with increasing briskness to match his tone.

“I don’t have much stuff, my clothes and toiletries and books. Some fandom merch. All the furniture and everything big belongs to Jack.”

Guy nods. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

And then he’s gone, and Fred and I stare at each other with wide eyes.

“What just happened?” she asks.

I shrug. “Guy Chapman.”

It’s more like twenty-eight minutes before he’s back. All I get is a quick smile and nod and then they’re both gone. I could have done with a quick kiss. Even on the cheek. Maybe a hug? Maybe he’s just not feeling it. I shove those thoughts to the side and continue to peddle my cupcakes and wait.

A couple of hours later, they return. Guy drops Fred off and then disappears. I squash a pang of disappointment that he didn’t come in to say anything. Not even a smile and nod, this time.

“What happened?” I ask Fred.

“He said Jack is an idiot.” Her eyes are brighter than they were this morning, her spark coming back in slow degrees. I owe Guy just for that. “It was epic, Scarlett. He took care of everything, I barely had to even think. I don’t normally enjoy being bossed around, but he made something I was dreading just so easy.”

I grin at her. “You’ve got it too, huh? The Guy Chapman fan club button.”

She snorts. “You have a bigger button. Carson is right, he likes you.”

I ignore that statement and the butterflies it ignites in my stomach. “Do you need any time off?”

“No.” She shakes her head and heads to the sink to wash her hands. “It’s better if I stay busy. Work will help.”

“Okay, well let me know if you change your mind.”

She finishes washing up and dries her hands on a paper towel, turning to face me. “My parents invited you and Guy over for dinner and I agreed on your behalf, by the way. He’s coming back in an hour to pick us both up.”

“He is?” I squeak. I’ve been working and cooking all day. The truck gets warm, despite the chill outside. I put my hair up in a messy bun hours ago. My face is probably greasy and gross. I probably resemble stomped butt.

“Hope that’s okay,” Fred continues. “My parents are going to be so annoying and smothering. I need a buffer, just for a night. You don’t mind, right?”

I shake my head no. I don’t mind.

I guess I’m going to dinner with Guy tonight, after all.

Chapter Fifteen

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. –Virginia Woolf

Guy

Fred’s parents live in a brownstone in Park Slope. We’re greeted in the entryway by Fred’s mother, Helen, who takes our coats and hangs them on an antique wood coat rack in the corner.

“Scarlett, it’s so nice to see you again.” She kisses Scarlett on the cheek and then steps over to give me a quick hug.

I’m not quite prepared for the affectionate gesture. We just met for the first time earlier this afternoon. I’m lifting a hand to pat her on the back when she steps away and I almost snag a finger on the turquoise jewelry dangling from her ear.

“Larry, the kids are back,” she calls out.

He yells something unintelligible.

“He’s in the study reading the news and making himself upset.” She rolls her eyes and steps back. “Come on in. Dinner is almost ready, and you will love it. It’s my famous vegan chili.”

Fred groans and walks past her into the kitchen. “Mom,