Blocked by Lisa N. Paul Page B

even gonna be hurt that you didn’t call me as soon as it happened.”
    It wasn’t that April was hiding the information from Janie; it was more like she hadn’t been able to process it yet herself, let alone involve anyone else. Sure, she’d told Rori immediately, first because the woman was her best friend, and second because it was the first time she actually needed to find a babysitter for Eli. April had practically felt Rori’s regret through the phone the previous evening when her friend explained why she was unable to help with the little guy, but that unease was nothing compared to what April felt when both of her siblings were also unavailable, leaving her mother as a last resort.
    Sighing, April admitted, “It’s true. I’m going on a date. It’s the first date I’ve been on in more than ten years. And it’s with the hottest, sweetest, funniest man I’ve ever met… I should cancel.”
    “Stop it,” Janie and Rori said in unison as Janie pulled up a chair and joined the women at the table.
    “I want details, all of them.” Janie pointed from April to Rori. “And what she chooses to leave out, can you please fill in? We can’t get her the help she needs if we don’t have all of the details.”
    “I couldn’t agree more,” Rori said. “But from what I’ve heard about Mr. Six-Pack, he seems to manage our girl just fine. She’s calm around him, not at all like the mess we’ve seen when she talks about him. The only thing I think she needs is a—”
    “Umm, hello!” April interjected, waving her hands in front of her friends’ faces. “You guys are talking about me as if I’m not sitting right here at the table.”
    “Oh, so you are here.” Rori grinned, winking at a satisfied Janie. “Are you sure you’re part of this conversation? Because the people at this table are getting ready for a date. They are not canceling or thinking about canceling on someone who makes them smile the way this man does you. So knock off your shit and dish the deets.” Seemingly proud of her speech, Rori nodded her head as if to say she was finished speaking and took a large gulp of her coffee.
    April looked at the two women who sat beside her. While Rori was her closest friend, Janie was much more than just a co-worker. The truth was, April was lucky to have these women in her life, and she could use some advice regarding her date so… “Okay, Decker made reservations at the new Italian place in Charistown, Amore, for seven o’clock.”
    “Ooh, Max, and I love it there. The food is amazing, and the service is great.” Janie’s eyes sparkled with the dreamy look she got every time she mentioned her boyfriend. “We intend to go back there as soon as the Grand Re-Opening for our bar is over and we have spare time. But anyway, back to you.”
    April bit her lip, unease filling her belly. “Well, here’s the thing. I’m not sure I want him to come and pick me up. I think I’d rather meet him at the restaurant.” Her comment was met with two pairs of narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
    “Chica? It’s a date. The guy is supposed to pick up the girl.”
    “Rori’s right, April. What’s the deal?”
    April stared down at her hands, as if the state of her un-manicured nails had all of a sudden become fascinating.
    “Oh.” Rori placed her hand over April’s and squeezed. “I understand. You don’t want Decker meeting Eli, right?”
    Bingo . “Look,” April answered quietly, “you know how I am with my son. The kid hasn’t even met my hair dresser, and I’ve been going to her for three years. I refuse to have him meet people who are only going to hurt him when they up and leave.” She could feel Rori watching her—hell, she could practically hear the thoughts whipping around in her friend’s mind—but she refused to look up from her hands. “Anyhow, Elijah is only one of the reasons I can’t have Decker come to my door.” April looked up when complete silence met her comment. “Ladies,