Rason & Eliza - Cee Bowerman Page 0,6

have any books with that one specifically.”

“Yes, it’s from Vietnam and areas around there.”

“Okay.” She reached into a drawer and pulled out a business card, slipping it in between some of the pages of the book before she dropped the book into a sack for me. She handed me my receipt with a smile and then glanced over my shoulder. “Have a pleasant day, sir. Thank you for shopping with us.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at Eliza before I glanced back to see Robin glaring at her. “Come on, Robin. I need to drop you off so I’m not late.”

“Okay, honey.” Robin’s reply was sticky sweet. I watched Robin give Eliza a bitchy little wave of her fingers and I rolled my eyes.

I was going to rip the Band-Aid off on the drive home, and Robin was going to understand that we were finished. I could not put up with this shit anymore, no matter what she threatened.

I’d hit my limit before, but today’s episode had been quite the eye opener. I was finished with Robin in a way that gave me zero sympathy for her feelings at this point.

I was done.

◆◆◆

“What’s on your mind, little sis?” Mesha asked as she handed me a bottle of water. She flopped down on the couch across from the one I was sitting on and put her bare feet up on the edge of the coffee table. “You’ve got a worried look about you.”

“I do?”

“Honey, I’ve worked in a bar since I was 18. I’m a psychologist without the college degree. I’ve saved marriages, helped people through grief, talked them into getting a new job or quitting their old one. I’ve prompted proposals and divorces and convinced people to take better care of their appearance so they could find a significant other. Just the other day I helped a man realize he’s not attracted to women because he’s really attracted to men.

“Really?”

“He was doing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper Hank left laying on the bar. In a strip joint. It didn’t take much to surmise he wasn’t interested in women.”

“And you just knew?”

“The gaydar is strong with this one.” Jayla laughed. “She knew I was gay before I did, but she didn’t say a word. We were friends for a year before I figured it out.”

“If it’s worth the wait, that’s what you do.” Mesha laughed as she turned to lay down and put her head on Jayla’s lap. “Now. Man trouble. Spill.”

“How do you know it’s man trouble?” I heard my voice go shrill and knew I’d just admitted that was it exactly. “Yeah, it’s a guy.”

“Do we need to get big brother in on this, or can we use a regular kitchen disposal?” Mesha asked with a completely straight face. I realized after a second that she was not joking at all.

“Nobody has to die,” I assured her.

“Yet,” Mesha added. “Okay, talk to us. We’re listening.”

“She’s judging; I’m listening. Besides, I’m the one who has experience with the opposite sex here, not her.” Jayla motioned with her hand. “Start with his stats: name, age, appearance, employment status, living situation.”

“Um, I don’t know all of that. His name is Rason.”

“There must be something there if you’re thinking about him and only know his first name,” Mesha noted. “I’m intrigued. I’ll allow it.”

“Thanks.” I glared at her for a second. “Anyway, he’s been coming into the store for ages. Since I worked there in high school. Then he disappeared for a long time and I thought I’d never see him again.”

“A long time? How long? Like 2 to 5 depending on good behavior or…” Mesha was so jaded that she instantly assumed he’d gone to prison.

“I found out today that he was in the military and gone for six years.”

“And you remember him from high school? That’s years ago. You’re what, almost 30?” Jayla asked, glancing from me to Mesha and back.

“I’m 29 and yeah, I remember him. He’s gorgeous and always has been. I always wondered about his ancestry because his features are really unique. He’s very sexy and mysterious looking. His skin is a beautiful pale tan, and his eyes are a clear green, tilted a little bit at the sides. His hair is brown, and he keeps it short. He has a dimple in his right cheek.”

“Not his left?” Jayla was smiling now, giving me shit.

“His smile is gorgeous.”

“How are his teeth?” Mesha asked with a laugh. Jayla slapped her on the shoulder and shook her head.

“They’re perfectly straight and white.”