Her Mate

Chapter nineteen

I sat in my car as watching people go about their lives till I spotted Joann at the front doors of Langhurst Realtors. She looked a little annoyed talking to some man in a blue flannel shirt and jeans so I got out and made my way over.

"I appreciate it, I really do. It's just not the best timing right now. I'm staying with my sister and well... look at me, I look like the bride of Frankenstein. Maybe some other time."

I heard Joann tell him as I walked over to them. She seemed noticeably relieved when she saw me.

"I thought you could use some help."

She gave me a thankful smile and instead of giving me her usual protests she readily accepted.

"These things are killing my armpits. I can't wait to be rid of them."

She raised one of her crutches. I turned towards the man she was talking with not caring about the dirty look he was giving me. His short curly black hair and sunken brown eyes gave him a rather pessimistic look. He made me think of the cartoon character Hardy Har Har that I watched as a kid.

"I'm the sister." I stuck out my hand purposely not telling him my name "and you are?"

"Dan Harvey." He shook my hand giving me an award winning smile. You're a little late for me to buy that dude. If you're the new employee she mentioned you need to up your game if you're going to make the sale.

"I was just trying to convince Joann here to have pizza with me or something this weekend. I know she doesn't feel like it but I know it would do her some good. I promise not to keep her out late."

He held up his right hand as if he was swearing under oath. I glanced to Joann to see her looking away which meant she was probably rolling her eyes.

"Yeaaaaah It's probably not the best time, Dan. She does need to rest. I'm not even happy with her being here yet and I have plans to go out with my coworkers this weekend which means, I need her to watch my dog."

He nodded and let us know he understood. He did seem genuinely saddened by the rejection making me question if I was a bit hard on him before letting him know I needed us to get back home so I could go to work myself.

"Is that the guy you were talking about going out with?" I asked Joann as we were driving back to my trailer. She gave me a large frown

"Yesss. Okay, so he's not the hot stud I made him out to be but he is a sweet guy. I think he's just lonely and wants some company. I wouldn't mind going out with him sometime but I'm afraid it would just give him the wrong idea. I'm not interested in him other than as a casual friend. Am I wrong in this?"

I shook my head "No, you're not wrong. But making me think you're hooking up with guys you're not even into is a clear sign that you need some serious help."

She punched me in my shoulder acting mad but I knew she wasn't. We've gone over this before. I just never understood why she felt the need to make up dates with people. We weren't in High school anymore so nobody cared if he was the captain of the football team or not. Yet even that wasn't enough to take her out as Brett Owens found out senior year when she bailed on him too.

"I do not! I'm too busy keeping up with your boyfriends and now girlfriend/boss. She knows I lied for you by the way. You must have some smooth moves because she didn't seem all that mad about it."

Fuck! How? "Did she stop by?" I didn't realize I had asked out loud till Joann answered.

"She called me. Yeah, I was surprised as you look when I picked up the phone and it was her. Maybe it was for the best. She wants to buy a place over here so I guess she did get someone to help move her things from Jake's. The way the markets been, and having been in the hospital, I could use a sale."