Sprouting like weeds everywhere. Just like my chin hairs. Without me asking, here they had all come, trampling my safe little world to bits.
God, oh God. Deliver me from myself.
I stared across the street at Dahlia’s slim form. She bent over to get something and then she laughed. I closed my eyes. It was a performance I’d seen so many times before. Why did she always have to take anything—everything—I had? And why did the men in my life always seem willing give it?
I could almost hear what Renee would say—“He believed in you. Why think the worst of him? He’s just helping her.”
Reentering the day’s numbers in my computer accounting program, I shook the thought from my mind. As usual, the accounts receivables and the accounts due didn’t match. For some reason, the bank was still holding Tangela’s last check. I’d been trying to call her…no matter. I had another of her ridiculous bridal functions this weekend. I’d talk to her then.
I closed my eyes for a second, remembering Adrian’s lime-leather-money scent so close to my face. The bell broke my reverie. I’d never been so thankful for a customer. I swallowed when I saw it was Adrian. Again.
“This trip, I’m a customer. Sorry about earlier. I know I didn’t handle that too well. I told your sister to come to you—”
I’ll bet. “You don’t need to explain. How can I help you?” I couldn’t afford to get tangled up with him anymore today. My sister, either. I had work to do. I’d hash it out with Tracey this weekend. All of it.
For the next twenty minutes, Adrian walked the floor, ordering a little of everything. My everything. All the stuff I really love and personally use. I stopped every few minutes to crack my knuckles. Who was he buying this stuff for? Surely not me or he would have said it. We’re open about gifts. Was he that into Dahlia already? Or was this to get back at me? Could he think Trevor and I really had something going on?
The possibilities alone made me tired. So I just didn’t think about it, choosing instead to try to estimate the number of Weight Watchers points in a chocolate chip cannoli. Estimating got me in trouble, both with my waistline and my pocketbook, but guessing was always fun. Especially since it kept my mind off everything that was going on.
After emptying half my Fresh Facial cart, Adrian asked for gift wrapping. Okay, that sent me over the edge. I charged thirty-five bucks for gift wrapping a large purchase, because with only me here it’s a pain to do. The brides get it free in their packages, and no one else ever wanted it. Except Adrian.
“If I do all this and you just hand it to me, I’m going to hit you,” I said in a weak but hopeful tone.
All it earned me was a look of confusion. “You? Sorry, Dane.” He cracked his wallet. “Do you want something?”
I shook my head. How stupid did that sound. I made the stuff!
“Some candles then?”
“No,” I said, though my lemon pound cake votive stash was dangerously low. Dahlia had probably primed the wicks with gasoline in hopes of me buying some. I’d stick to choking on breath mints, thank you. I shook my head, wrapped the last gift and handed him his bag. I didn’t know what he was up to, nor did I care. Well, a little.
He dropped the bag to the floor like an afterthought. Guys. Who could figure them out?
“Sorry I missed dinner Sunday. Did everything get straightened out?” He wiped away the sweat beading on his lip.
I stared at the thermostat. Seventy-three. Not hot enough for sweat. Did that mean he was asking about Dahlia and Trevor? How would I know if things were straightened out between them? He was the one working with her.
When I didn’t answer, he clarified. “With Rochelle and Jericho, I mean.”
“After you left church? It got a little ugly. Jericho got up and told everybody about Shemika and asked the church for forgiveness. Mother Holly fell out and started screaming.”
He winced. “That bad, huh?”
Worse. “Pretty much. But once we got back to my house, somewhere between the catfish and the peach cobbler, people started acting civil again.”
His lips formed a grim line. “Your Dad’s food has that effect on people. Always has.” I knew he meant the way his mom would chill out at those dinners, even when she was off her meds. I