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fun.
 Since when do you rank anything higher than having fun?
Roxy shook her head.  I think you re holding out on us. What do
you think, Noel?
Noel gave Toni a long, assessing look. She nodded slowly, adding
a sly smile.  I m almost sure she s holding out on us. I think our
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friend likes to keep her secrets.
 That s always been true, Roxy said.  Toni never gives you any
good dish. I have to catch her red-handed to know who she s going
out with. Roxy turned on her barstool and looked at Noel long
enough to make her slightly uncomfortable.  Let s give people in
town something to talk about. The last time I asked, you said you d
take a rain check. How about dinner tomorrow night?
Noel felt trapped. She was sure Toni was going out, or more
likely, staying in with other people, so she knew she didn t have to
be monogamous for her sake. But Roxy was a little too aggressive
for her. Nonetheless, she had told her she d take a rain check and
she didn t want to be rude. She shrugged her shoulders and said,
 Okay. What time would you like to meet?
 Whenever you like. I usually quit work at around five and by
six I m presentable.
 Then let s make it six-thirty.
 Great. Let s go to The Seafarer.
Noel s eyebrows rose.  That s a little expensive for my blood.
 I asked you out. It s my treat.
Now Noel felt trapped. She was willing to go out and discuss
real estate, but she didn t want Roxy to get the wrong idea. She also
didn t want to make a big deal about this in front of the others. So
she said,  I know it s early, but I should get home. I ve got some
things to take care of. Walk me out? she said to Roxy. Roxy got up
and Noel patted Toni on the shoulder.  See you, she said, earning
a lackluster nod.
:
As Roxy and Noel walked out, Jackie took a look at Toni. If
she hadn t known her better she would have worried that Toni was
going to follow them out and pop Roxy a good one. But Toni wasn t
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Susan X Meagher
that kind of person. She kept her anger and her disappointments to
herself, something that Jackie thought often didn t serve her very
well. Jackie poured a fresh beer and handed it to Toni.  The one you
had was getting warm, she said when Toni looked up, startled.
 Oh, it s fine. I should probably go home.
 Are you feeling okay? You look a little down. She stood right
in front of Toni and lowered her voice so no one else in the bar
would hear.  How are you doin ? I know how hard it s been for you
to lose Max. Do you have anyone to talk to? You know& anyone
you can trust?
 You can t replace people like Max, she said, wistfully.  I wish
you could.
:
When Roxy and Noel got outside, Noel took a breath, and said,
 I want to make sure we re on the same page. I d love to talk, but I
don t think it should be a date.
 Why not? Roxy asked, bluntly.
 I just got out of a long relationship, and I m not ready to get
into another one.
 Neither am I, Roxy said, her eyes wide.  But that s no reason
not to go out. We could have fun together.
Smiling at her honesty, Noel said,  I m sure we could. But that s
not what I m looking for right now. I d like to have more friends,
though. So why don t we go someplace inexpensive and talk about
real estate.
 Fine, Roxy said, looking down and kicking at the street like a
disappointed child.  But don t tell Toni that you didn t bite. I ve got
a reputation.
Laughing, Noel said,  You certainly do. And I think it s well
deserved.
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Part Eight
he first week of August was unseasonably hot and humid.
T That Friday night, Noel was at Toni s house, and their
rambunctious activities didn t do anything to cool the temperature.
Noel was lying on her back, trying to catch her breath while Toni
lay beside her and drew patterns on her damp belly.
 I m getting bored with Rehoboth, Toni said.  I need a change
of scenery. Want to go someplace?
Noel thought she was hearing things. Toni was actually asking
her to go somewhere!  Sure. When and where?
Toni appeared to consider her choices for mere seconds.  Atlantic
City. Tomorrow. If you can get Barbara to watch The Sandpiper, we
could stay overnight. She sat up, grinning with excitement.  Are
you in?
To satisfy that endearing, innocent smile Noel would ve closed
The Sandpiper down for the weekend.  I m in.
 Excellent! Toni jumped out of bed, seemingly full of energy.
 I m gonna take a cold shower and change the sheets so I can sleep.
I want to be at my best.
Reluctantly, Noel got out of bed and stood there awkwardly [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]