“It’s all good. I’m glad you called me.” He pauses a moment then adds, “You haven’t ruined anything.”

I turn and gaze out the window at the dark night blurring past us. If I’m not careful, Wes is going to completely ruin me.

***

“They’re here,” Wes says as we pull up behind one of the Evil Joes’ cars.

I walk through the front door with Wes right behind me. Mary Jo and Jo Lynn are sitting at the counter with Nonna. Each of them has a slice of apple pie and a scoop of ice cream in front of them.

I can tell they’re here for damage control. But I can’t let them win like that.

“Yum, that looks good! Can I get a piece?” I turn to Wes. “You want one?”

“Of course!” he says loudly, winking at me. “I never turn down Nonna’s cooking!”

Okay, so we’re not the best actors.

Nonna jumps up from her stool and starts fixing us a plate. “How was your date? You’re back earlier than I expected. Was the movie good?”

The Evil Joes are poised and ready. I grin.

“I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure Nathan did. He got a little squeamish and had to leave, so I called Wes to pick me up.”

Jo Lynn starts to say something, but Mary Jo elbows her in the ribs.

“Well, that’s not good,” Nonna says, and glances at the Evil Joes with a pitying look.

“So you really liked it?” Jo Lynn says. “We thought you would. We figured it would be just your kind of movie.”

Okay, so they want to play dirty.

I cock my head to the side. “Actually, there were these two girls in the movie that reminded me a lot of you two. They were really close, and they dressed the same and liked the same things. Y’all should go check it out.”

Wes lets out a sharp laugh but covers it up quickly.

Giving me identical withering stares, the Evil Joes move away from the counter in perfect unison and hug Nonna.

“We have to go, Nonna. Thanks for the pie,” Mary Jo says.

“And the ice cream,” Jo Lynn adds.

And then they’re gone.

Wes and I take their spots at the counter, and Nonna puts a plate in front of each of us.

“So how was it really?” Nonna asks once we hear the front door close. “I love those girls, but they never come by without their parents. I felt like I was waiting for disaster to strike.”

“Nonna, it was fine. Really.”

Nonna passes by Wes and pats him on the shoulder. “Well, I’m glad she had you to count on. Thank you for picking her up.” Just before she leaves the room, she says, “Camille stopped by earlier, if you’re curious about tomorrow night.”

Wes and I swivel around at the same time toward the board.

“Oh wow!” I say. Then read it again. “Is that a hockey game?” I actually had no idea there was a hockey team in Shreveport.