“Sure, I did,” Heath said, as if finding the question ridiculous. “I knew the best way to get your goat was to sweep Julia off her feet.” He smiled as he said it, leaving no doubt he was joking.
Eddie didn’t appear amused. “It was the best way you could think to rub the divorce in Laura’s face.”
“Unfortunately, you give me far more credit than I deserve,” Heath said. “The truth is, Julia and I were both stunned to discover our connection.”
“I’ll bet,” Eddie returned sarcastically.
“What brought us together is all we found in common,” Heath continued. “You’re happy with Lee, and I don’t begrudge you or her. Get over yourself, Eddie, and leave the two of us alone.”
Eddie blinked several times. If he’d hoped for a physical confrontation, Heath wasn’t going to provide it. He was unperturbed and sensible, refusing to take Eddie’s bait.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, Julia and I have a hot date on my sailboat. I would normally say it was a pleasure to meet you, only that would be a lie.”
“It would be for me as well.”
“Fair enough.”
Heath reached for Julia’s hand, and they stepped aside as they waited for Eddie to leave.
He paused to stand in front of them. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said to Heath, ignoring Julia.
“I do,” Heath confirmed.
“You treat her right or you’ll have me to answer to.”
“I know the treasure I found in Julia and have no intention of letting her go.”
Eddie frowned. “Is that a dig?” he asked.
“No, it’s a fact.”
Eddie glanced toward Julia, and offered a weak smile and a nod before he walked away.
Chapter 16
The monthly book club meeting was well in progress. Carrie had checked in with the group and saw that both her aunt Julia and Heath were among those discussing the latest read—a mystery by Jana DeLeon. Carrie had made sure coffee had been set up and had baked peanut-butter cookies herself.
As she settled into her position as concierge, Carrie had grown to love her job and the variety of activities that she oversaw; the book club was one of several. The meetings were held in the library room, adjacent to the lobby, and was the location for the yoga and wine groups as well. The card players set up in there also. Most of these activities took place in the evenings, and it was almost always the same people. She heard from newer residents that these sorts of arranged events were unusual in most condo buildings. For Carrie, it seemed just what made The Heritage above and beyond. Overseeing these gatherings added variety and fun to her duties, and she enjoyed adding a personal touch to make them special, like baking cookies.
Although Eric claimed he wasn’t good at relationships, to her delight he continued their nightly meetings on the roof. He’d relaxed considerably and they had grown comfortable with each other. After a few weeks she’d learned his father had died when Eric was young, and of his mother’s financial struggles simply paying rent and putting food on the table. Eric did whatever he could to supplement her income, getting a paper route when he was twelve. It helped explain his drive to succeed and the long hours he spent cooped up inside his condo.
One evening she’d casually asked him about why he said he didn’t do relationships. It took him a long time to answer, and what he told her broke her heart.
“In high school, I had a crush on a girl in my calculus class. My friend Michael encouraged me to ask Ellen to the senior prom. I was shocked when she agreed to go with me. I don’t think I’d ever been more excited. It was my first official date.”
“It took you until your senior year to go out on a date?” she asked.
“You have to understand, Carrie, I was working two jobs to help my mom. As the oldest with three younger siblings, there was never enough. I should have known taking Ellen to the prom was a mistake. Instead, I’d foolishly held on to the belief that I could pull it off.”
Just from the way his voice dipped, she knew his date hadn’t gone well. “What happened?” She reached for his hand and he gripped hold of hers so hard she nearly cried out.
“The afternoon before the dance I learned I was expected to bring Ellen a corsage. Michael’s mom let me borrow his brother’s suit. I was in a panic not knowing what to do. No way could I afford flowers for Ellen. Then my mom had an idea. She had an arrangement of plastic flowers. She cut up one and tied a ribbon around it, making it as pretty as she could. I figured it would be fine. It was the best we could do on the spur of the moment. But when I gave it to Ellen, this horrified look came over her face. Once we were at the dance, she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. She had all her friends gathered around her and they looked at me like I was a scumbag for not buying her a real corsage. The evening was a disaster from start to finish.”