“You’remaking excuses for a guy you don’t even know,” Mer pointed out, crossing herarms. “I mean, Andrea, helookslike a junkie, now that I think of it.”
Igawked at my sisters, allowing my anger to disguise the concern I also felt.“Wow. Real nice,” I snapped, shoving my feet into the black stilettos Willa hadbrought. “I have to go. Thanks for the clothes.”
Ileft in a huff, with my anger toward my mean sisters fueling my drive to thetrain station. But once aboard and seated, I couldn’t help wondering if theywere right. I didn’t know him or what he did in his spare time. I realized Ididn’t know what type of person he was, and yet I was on a train to go see him.
“Whatan idiot I am,” I muttered to the spirit of an old man sitting beside me. “Andthis is exactly why I stick with ghosts and not live men.”
***
“Damn.”
Itwas the first word Vinnie uttered as I approached him at the bar. He removed himselffrom the stool he sat on, extending a hand toward me and helping me onto theseat beside his. He was so smooth, so chivalrous, I almost forgot about thepicture my sisters had found.
“Purpleis my favorite color,” he said.
Iglanced down at the shimmering top. “Really?”
“Itis now.”
Igroaned, rolling my eyes back up to his. “Wow. Smooth operator.”
Hegrinned, sliding back onto his stool and grabbing one of two glasses of soda.“Sorry, I took the liberty of ordering you a Coke. But if you wanna drinksomething else, that’s cool.”
“Nah,Coke is fine,” I said, taking the glass from him. “Thanks.”
“Yeah,sure.” He nodded and grabbed a basket of sauce-covered wings. “Here, eat.”
Thebartender, a burly, huge lumberjack of a man, let out a gruff laugh. “Dude,it’s like you don’t evenwannatry.” He extended a hand toward me. “Hey,I’m Goose.”
“Andrea,”I replied with a smile.
“He’sa little rough around the edges but I swear he’s a good guy,” Goose replied.“Don’t let him—”
Thebar filled with a distinct guitar intro and he groaned. “Fuck, hold on asecond.” Goose turned his head and shouted into the bar, “For the love of allthat is holy, play another goddamn song!”
Vinniesnorted, lifting his glass to his lips. “Dude. Give it up and embrace the‘Sweet Home Alabama.’”
“Never,”the bartender muttered begrudgingly before eyeing me again. “Anyway, don’t let thisguy fool you with his bullshit. He’s a teddy bear.”
“Okay,I won’t,” I replied, smiling warmly and deciding to push the picture to theback of my memory.
***
Vinnie,I learned, had the appetite of a garbage disposal, but after four rounds ofwings, he finally leaned back in his stool, with his hands over his stomach,and blew out a heavy breath.
“Holyshit,” he groaned, closing his eyes. “Why did you let me eat so much?”
Icouldn’t help but laugh at the pained expression on his face. “I wasn’t aware Iwas calling the shots here.”
Openinghis eyes, he glared at me. “Andy, listen to me right now and listen to me good.When it comes to food, I will keep going unless someone steps in and cuts meoff. So, if you’re ever like, whoa, this dude’s gonna explode if he keepseating, I want you to say, Vinnie, I’m pulling the plug on this binge-fest. Yougot me?”
Myheart hammered wildly in my chest because, oh, I liked him.
Iliked him a lot.
“Igot you.”
“Good.”He nodded his approval, then called Goose over for a fifth refill, and Igawked. Vinnie laughed. “What?”
