A Nantucket Affair (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove #4)(12)

“I’m happy for you. I like Peter.”

Paige laughed. “So do I.”

They put their lunch orders in when the server returned with their wines. Lisa got the lobster salad roll and Paige lobster salad, no roll.

“Are you dieting?” Lisa asked. Paige had never had a weight problem as long as she’d known her. She was tall, naturally blonde and slim. She also did yoga all the time and recently started teaching classes a few times a week. Lisa kept meaning to go and try a beginner class. She was nervous because of her back and knees, but Paige insisted that it could help strengthen them and loosen her core muscles, which would help ease her aches and pains.

Paige laughed at the thought. “No, I just never eat the roll. I don’t want it to get in the way of the lobster.”

That was true. Paige always had ignored it. Lisa loved the combination of sweet lobster on a buttery hot dog roll, toasted to a golden brown.

“So, I think I might be ready to try one of your classes. Let me know which one is for absolute beginners and I will be there.”

“Excellent. Tomorrow at ten. Should I call you at nine to remind you?” Paige knew her well.

“No, I’ll be there.”

They caught up on all the local gossip over lunch and had just ordered coffees and a crème br?lée to share when both of them turned at the sound of loud laughter at the bar. It was almost five, and the place was getting busier. There was a group of six or so at the end of the bar. One man surrounded by five or six women who seemed to be hanging on his every word. A pretty blonde woman had her arm around the back of the man’s chair and was whispering something in his ear. He then repeated it to the others, and they all broke into hysterical laughter again. The blonde woman moved her head back and Lisa recognized her as Brandi, and the man as Sue’s husband, Curt.

“That’s Curt, isn’t it?” Paige asked with narrowed eyes.

“Yes, and Brandi from his office. I’m not sure who the others are.”

“I thought he’d be with Sue, visiting her mother.”

“I assumed the same. Maybe it’s a work thing,” Lisa wondered.

“Maybe. That’s interesting body language, though. Look how she keeps leaning in and touching his arm. Maybe that’s just how she is.”

“Could be. He’s the same way. Curt’s always been a big flirt, but it’s harmless. He just likes women, loves the attention.”

“I’m glad Peter’s not like that,” Paige said.

Lisa was thinking the same thing. “Rhett’s not, either. I don’t think Sue minds, though. She trusts Curt. Though he has been annoying her more than usual lately, it seems.”

“Oh?”

“You know how she is. He gets on her nerves, sometimes. She usually ignores it, then he’ll do something inconsiderate, and she’ll call and tell me she hates him. But she’s just venting and doesn’t really mean it.”

“Marriage isn’t easy. All that compromising. I have to admit, I like not living together with Peter. We each have our own space, though we see each other almost every day and spend most weekends together either at my place or his. But I like having a few nights totally to myself. And I think he does, too.”

“I can see that.” Paige had lived alone for so long that Lisa knew she was somewhat set in her ways.

“I’m the opposite. I like having Rhett living with me. I missed him when he was gone for a week. The house felt empty.”

“Well, as much as I enjoy Peter’s company, I also didn’t mind being by myself in Florida.” Paige grinned. “I just didn’t need to stay there as long as usual.”

After they paid their bill and were about to leave, Lisa glanced over at the bar. Curt was still holding court and smiling at Brandi, who had her hand on his arm and was chatting away. To anyone who didn’t know better, they might assume they were a couple.





It was still bothering Lisa a little a few days later. She didn’t think there was really anything to it, but if she was Sue, she’d want to know if her husband was getting a little too chummy with someone.

So, when Sue called the next day to see if Lisa wanted to meet up for coffee downtown, Lisa mentioned it. They were sitting in a cute cafe on Main Street. Both ordered orange scones and non-fat lattes. Because Sue worked from home, she liked to get out once or twice a week in the late afternoon for coffee. Lisa liked to get out of the house, too, so it worked out perfectly. They usually walked around downtown for a bit after, strolling down to the docks and watching the ferries come and go.

“So, I saw Paige yesterday. We met up for a late lunch at the Club Car. I knew you were seeing your mom. How is she?”

“She’s good. Same as ever. Told me I could lose a few pounds.”

“Ugh. We all could. You look fine. Don’t pay any attention to her.” Sue’s mother had always been critical, and it didn’t help that she’d always been trim. She’d never worked and Sue’s father had been well off, so her mother was part of a crowd of other ladies who lunched, and never left the house without looking perfectly polished from head to toe.

“I’m used to it. Sure, I could lose a few pounds. But, I like to enjoy life, too. I don’t want to give up anything, like Curt with his sudden fear of carbs. No, thanks.”