The evening sun hovered over the horizon like a fireball, painting the sky with streaks of crimson and gold as Meg and Denny walked across the parking lot of the third dealership they’d canvassed tonight.
Denny glanced back at the rows of used cars. “So, did you see anything that you’d like to take a second look at tomorrow?”
“I want to test drive that red Mustang at Chik’s Auto Mall,” Meg said wistfully and kicked at a pebble with her boot. Everything about that car—the ‘Lipstick Red’ color, the style, the excitement she felt sitting behind the wheel of such a powerful vehicle—gave it an irresistibility she couldn’t resist. She’d never owned anything so sexy, or impractical in her life, but she didn’t care. It was time for a change. She sighed. “I just don’t know if I can afford it.”
Denny paused, digging into his pocket for his keys. “I’ll give Chik a call tomorrow morning and see what he’s willing to realistically take for it. I’ve dealt with him before and I’m willing to bet he’ll drop the price by a grand. How much do you have for a down payment?”
She held up her thumb and forefinger together, forming a big zero. “I’m going to use the money the adjuster gave me for auto insurance and ask my dad to loan me the down payment.” Her hand dropped to her side. “He’s pretty cool about helping out in an emergency. Last month he installed a new water heater for me and replaced a spring in the garage door. I guess it all depends on what he thinks of the vehicle.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Denny said softly. “If he knows anything about cars, he’ll like it as much as you do. Have him take it for a test drive. I’m sure if it handles the road as good as it looks, getting the down payment out of him won’t be a problem.”
What a sweet thing to say. He sounded so sincere it made her regret the way she’d acted when he first offered to take her car shopping. Tom would have never gone to such trouble for her.
They reached Denny’s motorcycle and began to open up the saddlebags. Meg paused, looking up. “Thank you for going out of your way to help me find another car. You didn’t have to do that, but I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble.” He grinned. “I think we make a good team. Don’t you?”
She nodded. “I learned more about cars and the art of making a deal in one night than I have in my entire life.”
Denny reached out and brushed a tendril from her face as he gazed into her eyes. “Yeah, well, I had more fun tonight than I’ve ever had on a first date in my entire life.”
Did he say first date? A couple hours ago, she would have vehemently opposed it, but now the idea didn’t seem so far-fetched...
A sudden blare disrupted the moment. Meg blinked, trying to get her bearings when she realized the noise came from her own phone. Oh! She scrambled to answer it on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me, Nan.” A cacophony of guitars and voices in the background nearly drowned out her voice. “I’ve got some fantastic news for you.”
“Why haven’t you been paying attention to your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you all night.” Meg turned her back on Denny for privacy and walked away from the bike. “Where are you?”
“I’m at the Northern Lights Bar and Grill with, um...Jim.”
“Jim?” Meg stopped pacing, confused. What happened to Nan’s plans to meet up with her tonight? “Jim, who?”
“Jim Anderson,” Nan replied, sounding a tad sheepish. “You remember him. He’s that friend of Denny What’s-his-name.”
Yeah, she remembered him, the huffy little jerk with the big mouth. Meg didn’t know whether to laugh or stay ticked off. “I thought you didn’t like how rude he acted this morning.”
“He’s making it up to me.” Nan let the sentence trail off, giving Meg the distinct feeling that she and Jim were gazing at each other, savoring the moment in their own little world. Well, so much for Nan’s fantastic news.
“But that’s not what I called about,” Nan added, as though reading her mind. The noise suddenly sounded muffled as though Nan had covered her mouth with her hand. “He’s here, with her.”
Meg opened her mouth to speak, but ironically couldn’t think of a thing to say. On one hand, she felt duty-bound to tell Tom Duffey’s fiancée about his cheating, lying ways. On the other hand, she didn’t relish the idea of breaking the news to the poor girl in front of his closest friends. Her business with Tom and company didn’t concern them.
“How soon can you get over here? He just ordered a round of drinks, but I don’t know how long he plans to stick around. If you want to catch up with him, you’d better hurry.”
Meg cut a sideways glance at Denny as she debated what to do. He stood casually zipping his jacket, but when he glanced back at her, his furrowed brows showed concern.
As if sensing Meg’s reluctance, Nan said, “It’s now or never.”
Meg visualized Tom ‘showing off’ the future Mrs. Duffey and clenched her fist. “I’ll be right there.”
She shoved the phone in her pocket and walked back to the bike. “That was Nan. Did you know that Jim asked her out on a date tonight? And she agreed?”
His jaw dropped.
“Yeah, me neither. They’re at the Northern Lights Bar and Grill. Are you familiar with the place?”
“Sure.” Denny paused, a flash of emotion widening his eyes as though the subject hit upon a sensitive spot. “I know one of the bartenders.”
“Would you mind if we stopped by there on the way home?” She couldn’t wait to see Tom’s face when she walked in with Denny at her side.
“Not at all.” Denny grabbed her helmet and handed it to her with a wry smile. “Nan and Jim getting along, on a date, even. This I’ve got to see.”