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They got into his car, a shiny red sedan that still had a new car smell Mimi buckled her seat belt and settled back into the plush leather seat It occurred to her she’d never been al

one in a car with a man before asn’t either her husband, her father, or her brother It was an odd sensation

“So, what do you like to eat?” he asked “We could do Italian, or seafood? I hear The Harbor House is pretty good”

“And kind of fancy and over-priced, too The Bistro by the Beach isn’t open for dinner, otherwise I’d suggest we go there There’s a burger place near the bowling alley that makes some killer chili cheese fries Greasy, but to die for”

He raised a brow “Greasy fries? You’re on”

~~

Burger World was packed, but they were able to get a seat in the back of the restaurant right next to the restrooht and the occupants of the car in the next lane (Mr and Mrs Bruner) had openly gawked at them Now she and Zeke were not only separated, she’d been seen alone in a car with a strangeby the , a back seat table seeht now More out of the way and private

They ordered burgers and fries and a couple of beers and Miry she was Then she remembered she hadn’t eaten since breakfast She’d spent her lunch break on hold with the er of a country western radio station who claimed to personally know Billy Brenton, which had been a total bust

Mier when she ca our little piece of the planet?”

He wiped his mouth with his napkin, then laid it down next to his eets warm The beaches here are beautiful”

“Agreed,” she said, basking in mayorly pride

The waitress ca went for it, but Mimi declined Beer always filled her up too lass of wine and Casablanca waiting for her when she got home

“Mimi Grant!” Betty Jean Collin’s voicewith a couple of other os strolled over to their table The curiosity in their eyes could have killed an entire litter of Buttercups

Mihed and tried for her best s to try to fill her in on any ossip about Zeke and Cindy “Hi, Betty!” she said with herto Betty and the other toer,” Mimi said

“Oh? So this is business, not pleasure?” Betty Jean asked