Chapter 92
Unable to wipe the silly smile off her face, Hope kept staring at her phone.
Alex grumbled. “Hope, are you going to tell us or gaze at your damn phone all night?”
Hope sat up a little taller. “I have an email from the mayor of Crystal City. The mayor. He’s inviting Willow and me to participate in an awards ceremony tomorrow for spearheading the school’s tornado effort, cleanup, and rebuilding.” She shook her head. “Habitat for Humanity is also receiving an award, as are the Amish brothers.” Hope gaped at her phone with her mouth half open. “I’ve got to reread this. Nothing like this ever happens to me.”
“It is now. That’s fantastic,” Alex said.
“You deserve it, hon,” Suzy said.
Hope fanned herself. “What should I wear? It says they’re holding a press conference and we might be on TV. I’m already nervous.”
“Bravo,” Fernando said. “Well done.” He put his arm around Jon. “Let’s go eat. I’m craving Mexican. Can you eat it two days in a row?”
“I can always eat Mexican food,” Jon rubbed his belly. “I must be having sympathy pains.” The men hopped off their stools and left.
After they exchanged good-byes, Alex glanced at Hope. “T.J. Maxx is calling your name.” She motioned for Gus. “Put all of the drinks on my card. This evening was well worth a hit to my Discover bill.”
Suzy gathered her purse. “You two go ahead. I’m going to have dinner with my husband since we’re kid-free tonight. I’ll record the noon, five, and six o’clock news tomorrow. We can have a watch party at my house tomorrow night.”
“Great idea. See you then, Suzy Q.” Alex turned toward Hope. “Let’s go. The store closes at ten.”
In the parking lot, Hope said, “I’m shaking I’m so excited.”
Alex put her arm across her friend’s shoulders. “I’m happy good things are happening to you. It’s about time. Let’s ride together.” As they climbed into Alex’s Mustang, she said, “Tony doesn’t know I’m back in town. Care if we swing by his ex’s house? I know I sound like a jealous girlfriend but I need to know if he’s at Nikki’s.”
“Doesn’t make any difference to me as long as we get to the store before it closes.” Hope stared out the window as she remembered the night she and Suzy saw Tony outside Coconuts with a woman. She wondered if she’d recognize his ex if she saw her again but was far too happy and excited to bring up the likely volcanic subject now.
As Alex rounded the corner where the hateful confrontation with Nikki took place on the sidewalk, her jaw tightened. “Oh. My. God. He’s there. Look. He’s in the yard playing croquet with Joey.” She hit the steering wheel with her palm. “Dammit. I knew it. He’s probably been here daily while I was gone. Shit.” Hitting the brakes, Alex jerked the wheel and did a U-turn before Tony noticed her car.
Hope studied her friend. “I’m sorry. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t.” Alex huffed. “Tony can be so damn sneaky and his ex is a holy terror.” She groaned. “I have enough complications at work. I wish Gage hadn’t gone back to New York.”
“The handsome limo driver? How do you know he went back?”
Alex took a deep breath and blew it out in an obvious effort to calm down. “Hannah told me he called the bank while I was on the road. Apparently, he left a message saying he and Cheri had to fly back to New York for a while. Something about a major event for Fifth Avenue Catering.”
Hope faced Alex. “I have a feeling Gage will return someday. I saw the way he looked at you. As far as Tony, wait until you know the facts. Maybe this is innocent. Maybe not. My advice is to keep your options open when it comes to both men.”
Alex’s jaw was set. “Damn Tony. After all we’ve been through.”
Hope’s face fell. “I can see you’re upset. We don’t have to go shopping. I’m sure I have something I can wear.”
Alex pushed harder on the gas pedal. “We’re going shopping. We might buy out the whole damn store.”
~ ~ ~
Excited about Hope’s upcoming ceremony and the baby news, Suzy felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. Ken no longer seemed to blame her, was playful and loving, and even Izzy was more respectful. Her stepdaughter actually ate her sloppy joe and sweet potato fries without complaining and rinsed off her plate. It didn’t quite make it to the dishwasher but was progress. She’d take it.
After dinner, Ken requested a family meeting where he suggested weekly outings to bring the three of them closer together. “Iz, will you plan our adventures?”
Suzy braced for Izzy’s usual eye roll reaction and was happily surprised when her stepdaughter glanced in her direction, almost grinned, and said, “Sure.” That was much more animation and eye contact than usual, so Suzy quickly handed Izzy a magnetized pad off the fridge. “This way, we can display the list in the kitchen and none of us will forget.”
Izzy scribbled on the pad. She chose bowling for the first week, followed by the zoo, miniature golf, and the nature center. Obviously pleased, Ken hugged his daughter for planning a month’s worth of fun family activities.
Suzy embraced them both. “Great idea, sweetie. I love the idea of weekly excursions. Wonderful suggestions, Izzy.” Maybe she and Izzy would finally bond.