wrist was no longer squawking in pain, it was relatively easy to use her fingers. She pressed her lips together, making a smacking sound. Hugh used to tease her that his shirt collars were smeared with her lipstick. The dry cleaner near his office couldn’t get the stains out to his satisfaction, so he’d always left his shirts with her to clean, claiming her dry cleaner was better. Liar. I wonder what his shirts are stained with now, she thought. Lackluster Lily? Dropping the lipstick into her clutch, she inhaled deeply. It was time to rejoin the ladies.
Belinda set her menu aside when Sylvia returned and tapped it with a frosty-blue fingernail. “The server popped by, but I only ordered waters. I wasn’t sure if you—” She stopped abruptly and inspected Sylvia’s face. “Are you okay? Your eyes are all watery.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” she said in a husky voice that didn’t sound fine at all.
“You look like you’ve been crying,” Sarah offered in an awed voice. “Does your wrist hurt?”
“It’s allergies. I’m perfectly fine. Now, what were you saying about ordering?” She smiled broadly, knowing it looked too big to be real.
“Right,” Belinda said. “I was saying I didn’t order for you because I didn’t know if you were in the mood for your usual or not.” She slid off her reading glasses and tucked them into their case.
Dowdy Sarah peered over her menu, and Sylvia was reminded of an owl. “What’s your usual? I haven’t paid attention to what you order here.”
Her voice was so gentle, it was hard to be annoyed with her. She was clearly worried by Sylvia’s appearance. “The half-salad, half-sandwich combo. I get the spinach salad with blue cheese instead of vile goat cheese, and the grilled chicken sandwich with added tomatoes on sourdough.”
“Wait, I thought you said you were now a vegetarian.”
“Yeah. That didn’t last.”
“Oh. Well, I think I’ll try the combo too.” Sarah leaned in, as though ordering the same thing as Sylvia made her an ally. Maybe the woman thrived on other people’s sorrow. It wasn’t uncommon, but that didn’t make it any less strange.
“Great.” She smiled and flagged the server with a flick of her hand.
He appeared in seconds, and they placed their orders. “May I also have a Hangar One Mandarin on the rocks? Thanks.”
“Sure thing.” The server looked to the other two. “Ladies? Anyone else want a drink?”
Sarah tittered a small laugh. “We’ve never had cocktails at lunch!”
Belinda smirked. “Right? But we just turned in the Reebok proposal. A celebration is in order.” She smiled at the server, tucking her thick golden hair behind her ear. “I’ll have a glass of the house sauvignon blanc.”
Dowdy Sarah fiddled with her menu, nervously rubbing the top between her fingers. The woman was going to give herself a nasty paper cut. “I’m afraid I’ll end up drunk if I get a drink.”
“Better not, then,” Sylvia said with a patronizing glance. She turned to the server. “Just the two of us will imbibe.”
Sarah frowned. “On second thought, may I please have a strawberry daiquiri?”
The server’s expression didn’t waver, but Sylvia could tell he was laughing on the inside as he walked away.
“How cute! I haven’t had a daiquiri since—well, I can’t remember. Must’ve been back in high school.”
Sarah shrugged. “I haven’t had one since my trip to San Diego last spring, but I do enjoy them.”
“San Diego? Is that when you went to see your sister?”
“Yes! I’m surprised you remember.”
How could she not? Sarah had rambled on for weeks about traveling to see her twin for their twenty-eighth birthday. Her parents would be there too. Yay! And Grandma and Grandpa. Yippee! A big, happy, disgustingly sweet family. Clearly, they were hiding something. No family could get along that well.
As if sensing Sylvia’s unrest like a dog before a thunderstorm, Belinda tapped the table with her hand. Her eyes shone with intensity. “Ladies, I wanted to have lunch today because I need advice.”
Ooh . . . maybe she wasn’t changing the subject for Sarah’s sake. Sylvia sat back. “Fire away. I’m all ears.”
“Well,” she said slowly, “I’m considering signing up for an online dating service, but before I do, I need the scoop. Have either of you done online dating?”
Oh, sweet, darling Belinda. Sylvia knew she’d been frustrated with her lack of dates. But online dating? It was rife with possibility. There was no doubt about that, but it could present a risk for someone as trusting as Belinda.