Page 25 of Gray Hair Don't Care
“Hey, Donovan?”
“Yes?” He turned back, catching her biting down on her lower lip. Dammit, that did something to him.
“Are you free for dinner tonight?”
He was so unsure if he’d heard her correctly that he nearly knocked his head to the side to his rid his ears of whatever might be plugging them up. “Are you asking me out?”Because I wouldn’t say no.
“No. I’m not.”
“Oh.”
“Remember when I told you about my best friend, Tammera?”
It still bothered him that he no longer held that title in her life, which he knew was a stupid reaction, but was true nonetheless. Perhaps it was because Lela had long since moved on and he hadn’t come close to finding another human being who could match her. “Yeah. Of course.”
“She’s coming over with her girlfriend, Delia, tonight. Tammera’s mad at me that I haven’t introduced you to her.”
“Really?”
“Yes. She’s tired of hearing about you and not knowing you.”
“I see.” He stopped short of asking for details like whether or not Tammera knew the bad stuff about him, like his three-year-old panicky exit.
“Also, I think they’re going to announce their engagement. Or maybe that they’ve decided to have a baby. Either would be amazing and awesome, but it would be nice if I didn’t have to be the third wheel. You can help me feel a little less pathetic in the life category.”
“Because I’m equally pathetic?”
She opened the door to show him the way out. “You said it. Not me.”
Chapter Fourteen
Lela’soriginal plan to invite Donovan to dinner had been predicated on Tammera’s near-constant pestering about wanting to meet him. But there had been more to Lela’s decision. She didn’t like that they’d been distant at work. It had seemed logical at the beginning, when she was still angry and he was being defensive. But a lot had happened since then, feelings had softened, and she wanted to move forward. That moment when he’d been so kind to her the day they first saw the photo proofs had felt like a step in the right direction, one he’d initiated. He even apologized, which was no small gesture coming from a man who loved to be right. It felt like the rougher edges of their history were finally being filed away. Lela’s ultimate hope was that they could fully revive their friendship and work together. Then keep it that way.
The doorbell rang right on the nose at seven. “Oh, look, Delia!” Tammera exclaimed when Lela answered the door. “It’s the woman from the buses.” Tammera cracked a sly grin and handed over a bottle of wine. She was always dressed impeccably, but there was something about her silk crepe black and white dress that read “special occasion”.
“That’s me. The bus lady.” Lela let out a breathy laugh, even though she did not wish to be identified that way. “Thanks for the wine.” She gave Tammera a hug, then Delia.
“I think the photographs are amazing,” Delia said as she stepped inside. “Nothing that exciting happens at my job, so I’m officially jealous.” The warmth of Delia’s smile was echoed in her voice. She was one of those people who radiated calm and ease, which had to be a big asset in her job as pediatrician. Her glossy black hair hung in a perfect shoulder-length bob and she, too, was a little more dressed up than usual, wearing a slim red dress and killer heels.
Lela was glad she’d had the wisdom to also put on something special—a vintage bell-sleeved maxi dress made from a bold magenta and ice blue print. It was a completely impractical item of clothing, which made her love it even more. “It’s all the excitement I’ll be able to take for awhile.” She shut the door behind them.
“So where’s the famous Donovan James?” Tammera asked.
Lela was greatly relieved he wasn’t there yet. “Famous” might give him the wrong idea about the things she’d said to Tammera. Tams knew that Donovan had once been her ultimate guy, but he wasn’t anymore. “He volunteered to pick up dinner. He should be here any minute.”
Tammera reached for Delia’s hand and they exchanged looks of pure and utter adoration. “Okay, well, I feel like this is probably a better time to deliver our big news. We’re getting married.”
Funny, but as much as Lela had anticipated this moment, she hadn’t counted on her most immediate and visceral reaction—tears. Buckets of tears. A veritable ocean. “Oh, my God, you two,” she squeaked. “Congratulations.”
Delia couldn’t have been smiling any wider if she’d tried. She planted a soft kiss on Tammera’s lips. “We’re so happy.”
“It’s such incredible news.” This time, Lela croaked.
Tammera cast Lela a look of surprise. “Are you okay?”
Lela nodded, wiping away the tears. She should probably make a point to drink some water soon, lest she dehydrate. “Come here.” The three women got lost in a group hug—two blissfully happy, one a joyful mess.
“Why are you crying? This couldn’t have been that much of a surprise. Is this one of those peri-menopausal moments?” Tammera asked.
