Charlie left city hall, moving like a robot, and went straight to Lila’s office. “Hi,” she said, standing in the doorway. “I’m sorry to bother you at work, but . . .”
Lila looked up from her computer and homed in on Charlie’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Everything.” Charlie slumped into one of the chairs opposite Lila’s desk and hugged her handbag to her chest.
“That’s a pretty sweeping statement—”
“I mean it.” And Charlie told her what had happened.
Lila stared at Charlie, aghast. “You did what?”
“I know . . . but Granddad was literally having a heart attack over it. He had one at the hospital when I refused. So to calm him down, I promised him that I would speak his words for him at the meeting.”
“Poor Jake,” Lila said.
“I didn’t know how to tell Jake. I tried, at one point, but the timing didn’t work. And then last night . . .”
Lila held up a hand, her face a classic portrait of disgust. “No more information on boinking my brother. That’s gross. I get it—you two have been aflame with lust for each other for years, but . . . gross. So, you told him this morning. Jeez. I think I would have snuck out without a word. You’re braver than I am.”
“I wanted to sneak out, trust me. He was asleep. I could have. I started to. And I almost called you for a ride.”
Lila eyeballed her until she squirmed. “But?”
“I felt that I couldn’t put you in that position. Jake would never speak to you again.”
“Thank you. No, he probably wouldn’t. I’m not sure I should let you even sit across from me, telling me all of this, Charlie. What a mess!” Lila seemed caught between sympathy and horror. “He’s only just begun to forgive me for not cutting things off with you in the past. Now this?”
“I’m sorry.” Charlie fidgeted with the straps of her bag. “I didn’t know who else to talk to.”
“Lucky me. It would be so much easier if you were shallow and had just used him for sex. Why can’t you be shallow?”
“Huh? Uh . . .”
“But you’re not. You just have to be a decent person, don’t you?” Lila shook her head. “That pisses me off, because you’ve really gone and done it now. I hate to tell you this, but you’re in love with my stinky brother.”
Charlie stared at her, mute. And finally nodded. “I’m in love with your stinky brother. It sucks, but I pretty much always have been.”
“And I don’t see a way to happily-ever-after on this, Charlie, since you just torpedoed his job!”
“I never thought the vote would actually go against them,” Charlie wailed.
“Idiot,” Lila said. “As your friend, I mean that in the nicest possible way, you understand. But this is bad. I’m kicking you out of my office now, okay? I need to think.”
Charlie nodded and stood up. “Okay.” She had just pulled open the door to Lila’s office when they both heard it: the bellowing and honking of the fire truck as it rushed by, all lights flashing, Jake at the wheel.
Something besides Charlie’s life was on fire. But what?
Lila’s cell phone rang. She registered surprise at the caller ID and then picked up. “Hey, Deck. What’s going on?” As she listened, her face drained of all color. “Oh, dear God. Promise me you won’t go anywhere near it. Promise me. Jake and the guys just passed by. I’m on my way.” She grabbed her purse and sprinted around her desk toward Charlie and the door.
“What is it?” Charlie asked.
“The Old Barn is on fire! Bridezilla took lanterns out there, because we told her no candles. I’m going to kill her with my bare hands . . .”