“Kandy?” Eden called. “Something wrong with the food?”
I looked up. “Oh, no. Not at all. I’m just not very hungry right now.”
“Really? Who comes to a planned dinner without an appetite?” Her smile was faux.
“Actually, she has a very good reason for not eating,” Lora cut in, finishing whatever bite of food she’d taken.
“Oh yeah?” Eden lowered her fork. “And what reason might that be?”
“What? Can’t you tell?” Lora laughed.
“Lora, not now,” Cane hissed.
“Tell what?” There was annoyance in Eden’s voice. She really didn’t like Lora. It was comical, really.
“She has a glow to her, you know? And they mostly say that about women who are expecting or getting laid really good.” Lora picked up her wine glass and sipped, like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on the table.
“Lora!” I gasped.
“Oh, wow? Are you really?” Mr. Miller asked, his eyes lighting up as he looked me over. I forced a smile, wanting so badly to cut my eyes at Lora. She’d had one too many and her I Don’t Give A Fuck attitude was showing more and more.
Cane pressed his lips and nodded at Mr. Miller when he swung his eyes over to him. I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it right now, but also didn’t want to be rude by changing the subject. “Yes, we are.”
“Oh, man! Congratulations! I tell you, having a kid…there’s nothing like it. They bring a lot of joy to your world.” Mr. Miller reached over to rub Eden’s shoulder. “If it weren’t for Eden, my country club would be a sitting duck.”
Eden forced a smile at him before looking between Cane and me. “A baby, huh?” She sat back in her chair and took a few hard gulps of wine. “No wonder you haven’t touched your wine.”
I smiled, like, really smiled at her.
“I almost forget what it’s like having a baby,” Mr. Miller went on, like he was in a daze. “It’s been so long. You know, I keep telling Eden to get a husband, get married, live a good, happy life, but she’s a workaholic like her father, I suppose.” Mr. Miller went on and on, and Cane nodded and chatted with him, but I couldn’t help passing glances at Eden.
During the rest of dinner and even through dessert, I noticed Eden was no longer looking at Cane so much, but at me. Lora was having a field day with all of the food, especially enjoying the six-layer chocolate cake for dessert.
Now, I wasn’t a big fan of doing petty things, but when it came to women who thought they were better for Cane than I was just because they were older, I wasn’t above throwing a little shade. So whenever Cane looked at me and asked if I was okay, I’d say, “Yeah, babe. I’m okay,” loud enough for everyone at the table to hear me clearly. And when he grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles like he always did, I blushed and giggled. Okay—the blushing thing I always did, but the giggling was to amp the dramatics.
When it was time to go, I almost skipped out the door. Mr. Miller said goodnight to all of us at the front door, and Eden did the same, though this time she decided to hug us. She hugged Cane first, of course, but it was a small hug. A simple one. No full body contact or her groin meshing into his. A friendly hug, which confused me. She started to hug Lora, but Lora held up a hand.
“Shakes only, lady love.” Lora extended her arm, and Eden was perplexed, but took Lora’s hand anyway, giving it a shake.
And then Eden was facing me. She let out a long sigh, looking me all over. “What a lucky girl you are,” she sighed. “Especially to have such a great, handsome man.” Her eyes shifted over to Cane’s, who’d narrowed his in exchange. She then looked over her shoulder at Mr. Miller, who was talking to Lora about something pertaining to his country club. “One thing Cane probably didn’t tell you about me is that I grew up with a single mother. It was hard watching her sometimes. My father had an affair with my mother, and having me changed everything for her. Luckily, I’m not the kind of woman who would feel proud about coming between a child and his or her parents. I watched it all my life with my mother, and it was the worst feeling in the world. Maybe that’s why I am the way I am.” Her smile was small. “Have a great night, Mrs. Cane.”
I gave her a nod while Cane tugged on my hand.
“Have a good night, Eden.” Cane lead the way to his car, Lora trailing behind us.
“I’m so confused,” I said when we got inside and the doors were closed. “What in the hell was that?”