Pia laughed. “I don’t think there’s a competition.”
“Then you haven’t had your hair done at Julia’s place lately. There was a very heated discussion about the two of them just last week.”
Pia thought about the talk at the city council meeting—the argument about who had the better butt. “We need more to think about in this town.”
“There are those men coming to town,” Denise said. “There’s a subject. Have you noticed they’re everywhere? Just yesterday two men whistled at me.” She sounded both outraged and faintly pleased.
“I have no idea what we’re going to do with them.”
“I thought there were already several events planned.”
“A few, but what are they going to do the rest of the time? Troll the streets, looking for easy conquests?”
Denise laughed. “I’m old enough to be your mother, so it’s not right that I’m the one to point out that no one says ‘easy conquests’ anymore.”
“Okay, you’re right, but still.”
Denise still looked amused. “I’m sorry you’re not excited about the influx of men, but that’s because you’ve already found someone wonderful. I wonder if any of the men will be older.”
Pia had been caught up in the fact that everyone assumed she and Raoul had fallen madly in love and wondering if they should say anything. But she found herself distracted by Denise’s last comment.
“You’re interested in a man?” Pia asked.
“Interested is too strong a word,” Denise said with a shrug. “I’m…curious. Ralph has been gone a long time. My kids are old enough to deal with me dating. I like my life, but sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone else around.”
“Way to go,” Pia told her. “I think that’s great. I have no idea about the ages of the men arriving, but I can let you know if I see any good ones.” She grinned. “What about someone younger?”
Denise sniffed. “I’m not a cougar.”
“You could be.”
Denise was pretty, with her short dark hair and bright eyes. She had a body that someone fifteen years younger would envy.
“I’d prefer someone around my age,” the other woman said. “Then there’s less I have to explain. Do you really think anyone who wasn’t there could understand the thrill of hearing ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ on the radio?”
“Probably not,” Pia admitted. “Point taken. We’ll find you a nice man who remembers the seventies.”
Denise looked worried. “You’re not taking me on as a project, are you?”
“No. And I won’t mention anything to your daughters. I’ll let you tell them you’re on the prowl.”
Denise laughed and held up her hands. “No prowl. I’m thinking. There’s a difference. Enough about me. Remember, I’m here if you have any questions. Also, when you get ready to register for your shower gifts, we should talk. Some things you really will need three of, but others you won’t.”
“Okay.”
Shower gifts? As in baby shower? Pia wasn’t prepared for that. Of course, as she’d already figured out, there was moving and getting married to contend with, as well. Compared with that, a baby shower should be easy.
“All right, my dear,” Denise said, hugging her again. “I’m delighted. You deserve every happiness.”
“Thanks.”
Denise waved and pushed her cart toward the front of the store. Pia completed her own shopping, then took everything home and put it away. When she left her apartment again, she headed for Raoul’s office, rather than her own.
Ten minutes later, she found him alone in the big, empty space.
“You really need to get some more furniture,” she told him as she walked to his desk, her heels clicking on the cement floor. “Maybe a few employees.”
“I have Dakota. She’s at lunch.” He rose and smiled at her. “This is a nice surprise.”
“We need to talk.”
He settled on the corner of his desk. “Should I be worried?”
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” She drew in a breath. “You do realize that word is spreading. Everyone in town is going to know we’re getting married.”
“I figured that out. Josh violated the guy code.”
“Did you tell him not to mention the engagement?”
“Yes, but it didn’t do any good.”
“This isn’t like Dallas or Seattle. Everybody knows everyone else’s business.”
He stood and pulled her close. “Is that a problem?”
“It’s not something that can be changed.”
“I meant are you upset people know we’re getting married?”
Standing there, feeling the heat of his body against hers, wrapped in his strong arms, it was tough to be upset about anything.
“I’m not upset, I just thought we’d have more time to get used to it ourselves.”
He touched her cheek with his fingers. “Meaning people are coming up to you and saying stuff.” She nodded.
“Want to change your mind?” he asked.
“No.”