“It looks like we jumped to conclusions about him,” said Zona.
“Me, you mean.”
“Me, too. I haven’t exactly given him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Well, who could blame us? Things sounded scary over there.”
“I know. They did.”
“So you believe him?” Louise still sounded doubtful.
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“People lie.”
“True. But what a weird lie to make up. It’s too far-fetched not to be true.” And maybe Zona wanted it to be true. Maybe she wanted Alec to be a nice, honest guy. “Plus, he did me a favor with the car.”
“I’ll write him a check for whatever it costs to repair and then you’ll be even.”
“We’ve already taken care of that,” said Zona, and hoped her mother wouldn’t ask her how.
“How?” Louise asked.
“I’m buying him lunch.”
Louise’s brows dipped into a disapproving V. “You’re going out with the man?”
“Not really going out,” Zona hedged.
“Don’t you be rushing into anything,” cautioned Louise, the internet man hunter.
“Especially not with the man you wanted me to check out when he first moved in.”
“We’ve already checked him out.”
“Let’s not go over that again,” Zona said.
“I know, I know. I jumped to conclusions. But he definitely comes with his own set of problems, and you don’t need any more problems in your life.”
“I’m not going to date him. This is a onetime goodwill gesture. That’s all.”
“Good. Then I’m coming with you,” Louise said firmly.
“What? Mom, I’m forty-two. I don’t need a chaperone.”
“If it’s a goodwill gesture, I should be the one to make it,” Louise insisted.
Oh, boy.
IF ALEC WASsurprised to see both Zona and her mother walking up to join him at an outside table at In-N-Out, he hid it well.
“I came along to help Zona thank you,” Louise said. No smile attached. “I’m sure you don’t mind.”
“Why should I mind?” he asked. “What would you ladies like?”
“You’re not paying,” Zona told him. “I’m thanking you.”
“You’re not paying, either,” Louise told her. “I’m assuming you’d like a burger and fries?” she said to Alec.
