Hungry for Love (56 page)

“
But you love Colette now
,”
said Clint.

“
You dufus
,”
said Ben. 
“
I do love her
,
but as a friend.  I thought you realized that.
”

“
So I could date her
?”
asked Clint
,
visibly cheerier.

“
It depends
,”
said Ben. 
“
Is this a one night stand you
’
re looking for like with all the other girls you see or do you care about her and really want to date her
?”

“
I think I love her
,”
said Clint. 
“
Never felt this way before. Weird.  Like being itchy but happy but sad.  Well sad cause I thought she was moving away with you.  So mainly itchy.  Not jock itch or anything.
”

“
I was getting worried there that I
’
d have to send you to a doctor or something for some industrial strength creams.
”

“
So I can call her
?
”

Ben laughed and nodded. 
“
Call her.  Take her on a nice date.
”

Angie suddenly appeared at the table. 
“
Who
’
s taking who where
?”

“
Oh you know Clint
,”
said Ben smoothly
,
“
And it
’
s me taking you
,
isn
’
t it—still going to the mall aren
’
t we
?”

Angie nodded. 
“
Beverly Drive
maybe instead of
Century
City
?”

Angie followed Ben to the door
,
stopping only briefly at Bill and Laura
’
s table. 
“
Everything good
?”
she asked.

“
Fantastic as always
,”
said Bill
,
smiling.

Angie said
,
“
I
’
m taking off now but see you next time.
”

Bill turned to Laura and said
,
“
So do you think I should be keeping some sort of tally or scorecard
?”

Laura laughed. 
“
Based on what you
’
re telling me
,
I
’
d say scoring is no part of the equation where your dates are concerned.
”

“
I feel so guilty.  After every date Candy
’
s there waiting to hear how it went and I have to tell her
,
sorry little girl
,
I haven
’
t found you a new mom yet.
”

“
Want me to take her out on a girls
’
day
,
with Julie or even just Candy and me
?
  She might like that.  Mani-pedi
,
haircut
,
stuff like that
?”

“
That would be wonderful
,
but sure bring Julie along.  No point in her worrying Candy
’
s stealing her mom in the middle of your divorce.
”

Laura nodded. 
“
Divorce
,”
she said.

“
Oh oh
,”
said Bill.

“
No
,
no
,
not oh oh
,”
said Laura. 
“
Candy and diamonds were bestowed but I still pushed him out the door.
”

“
Sounds like you didn
’
t want to.
”

“
Do you smell that
?”
asked Laura
,
“
Smoke
,
coming right in the door.  Just a second.
”
  Laura dashed out the door only to see a nice looking man standing there reading the riot act to a couple of smokers.  He was so strong and confident
,
so self-assured.  Laura couldn
’
t help but admire him.

“
This is a restaurant
,”
he said
,
“
People are eating inside.  Do you think they want to breathe the disgusting smoke from your cigarettes
?
  Pretty soon
Beverly Hills
will be a smoke free shopping area just like
Santa Monica
,
at least if I have my way about it.  What
’
re you going to do then
?
  Well that
’
s not my problem is it.  I can
’
t have you arrested for smoking
,
but I can for being a public nuisance
,
so I suggest you put out those cancer sticks and move along.  And don
’
t let me see you here again.
”
 

The smokers
,
duly intimidated
,
put out the cigarettes and hurried away.  The judge turned and saw a beautiful woman staring at him and instantly he blushed and said
,
“
Oh please forgive me.  I get a little insane about smoking.  And this is my daughter
’
s restaurant.
”

Laura smiled
,
“
Nothing at all to forgive.  I came out here to do the same thing.  I run an anti-smoking awareness group.  Maybe you should volunteer with us.
”

“
I
’
m Sam
,”
he said
,
clearly dazzled
,
and reached out his hand
,
which Laura took and smiled warmly.

“
I
’
m Laura.  Angie
’
s your daughter
?
  She
’
s a lovely girl.  And a wonderful caterer.
”

The judge sighed. 
“
We had a little falling out a couple weeks ago and I
’
ve been coming here daily trying to see her and make it up to her
,
but they keep telling me she
’
s out.  I don
’
t think she
’
s ready yet but I really have to apologize.
”

“
She actually did go out—I saw her leave a few minutes ago.  But why don
’
t you come in and meet my friend and have a sandwich with us
?”

The judge followed Laura inside
,
and shook hands with Bill as Laura said
,
“
Bill
,
this is Sam
,
Angie
’
s dad.  He
’
s an anti-smoking crusader too.
”

Bill laughed. 
“
I guess the world will be tobacco free any day now with both of you joining forces.
”

“
I told Sam to join our group.  We need more help
,
especially with you often too busy to participate.
”

“
I
’
m a widower with a domineering eight year old who
’
s determined to marry me off to a new mom
,
and all that dating is a big energy drain but I dare not stop until success is achieved or she
’
ll refuse to attend college.
”