Page 72 of Screwed
“Oh yeah. Where’s your bill for it?”
“I’ll PayPal it to you.”
“Aren’t you all professional.” His eyes held a teasing glint, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
“Yes I am.” She tossed her hair back, not wanting to admit the doubts that had started to invade her psyche about what she was doing.
They arrived at Interlude early, Cash carrying the cake. The hostess showed them to the private room on the second floor. A young man and woman were already there, the woman adjusting a floral arrangement on the long table for twelve. She looked up and smiled. “Hey, you’re here. Wow! Is that the birthday cake?”
“No, it’s a hat,” Cash deadpanned.
The girl made a face but grinned, hurrying over to look more closely. “That’s gorgeous!” She turned to Callie. “You must be Callie. I’m Ginnie Hale.”
They shook hands. “Nice to meet you, Ginnie.”
“And this is my boyfriend, Kevin.”
She shook hands with Kevin, too, a young man with dark-gold hair, funky glasses, and nice shoulders.
“You’re so talented,” Ginnie said. “This cake is a work of art. I can’t believe we’re going to eat it.”
Callie smiled. “Thank you.”
A server from the restaurant appeared. “Hi there. I’m Nahla, and I’ll be looking after you this evening. Would you like us to keep the cake in the kitchen until you’re ready to eat it?”
Callie glanced at Ginnie and Cash. Cash shrugged. “Why not keep it out here? It’s too pretty to hide.”
“We can all drool over it while we’re having dinner,” Ginnie said.
“Absolutely,” Nahla said. “We can set it over here.”
The private dining area upstairs was lovely, with reclaimed wood floors, taupe walls with white-painted woodwork, and subtle lighting. Nahla took drink orders.
More guests arrived, hugs and kisses were exchanged, and introductions were made. Then Mrs. Hale arrived with her friend Barb and Barb’s husband, Tom. Callie wasn’t sure why she was so nervous to meet Cash’s mom, a pretty lady who didn’t look fifty, with soft brown hair in a layered, shoulder-length style and subtle makeup. She was tall, a good five inches taller than Callie, and wore a simple pink sleeveless dress.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Callie,” Mrs. Hale said. “I can’t wait to see this cake Cash has been going on about.”
Cash rolled his eyes but extended a hand. “Come have a look.”
Mrs. Hale exclaimed over the cake along with the other guests, and pride warmed Callie’s chest. She met Cash’s eyes, and they shared a smile. “Thank you,” he mouthed across the room.
Nahla handed Mrs. Hale an empty flute. “We have a bottle of Cristal for y’all.”
Mrs. Hale’s eyes widened. Callie was glad Cash had suggested that. Nahla popped the cork and poured some into Mrs. Hale’s glass, then served everyone else the sparkling wine.
“You two have gone to too much trouble,” Mrs. Hale told her son and daughter.
They just waved a hand.
“I hardly did anything,” Ginnie said. “Cash and Callie did it all.”
Mrs. Hale shot Callie a smile that held a hint of curiosity. “Well, thank you. This is lovely.”
Guests mingled as they sipped their champagne.
“So, it’s cool to finally meet you,” Ginnie said to Callie. “I’ve heard Cash mention you, of course.”
Callie smiled. What was Ginnie thinking? This was potentially awkward. “Cash has been a good friend since my divorce,” she said, putting it out there. “Other friends kind of disappeared.” She made a face.
