“What makes you think there’s anything to tell?” she asked innocently, pretending that it wasn’t fodder for the whole town that they were dating.

“I have eyes and a brain,” Harper teased. “I saw some patty-cake during the Fourth of July fireworks in the park,” she explained to Sophie and Hannah.

“Hmm, Gloria Moretta. It’s got a nice ring to it,” Sophie mused.

Gloria felt her cheeks flame.

“You liiiiiiike him!” Harper teased.

“Who is this Aldo, and is he Gloria-worthy?” Hannah demanded, sliding onto a barstool.

“Aldo is a muscly Italian stud who’s had the hots for Gloria since high school,” Harper supplied.

Muscly Italian stud. Aldo would love that description, Gloria thought.

Hannah snapped her fingers. “Luke’s best friend, right? That’s a long time to be carrying a torch,” Hannah said. “You must be pretty great.”

Gloria snorted.

“She really is,” Harper agreed.

“You guys,” Gloria laughed. “I’m still getting used to the idea.”

“The idea of what?” Sophie prodded.

“Of Aldo…and me…dating.”

Harper let out a whoop. “So it’s official?”

Gloria let out a long breath and nodded. She hadn’t been sure when or how to tell her friends. She wasn’t sure if she could handle their disapproval, if they showed any. “Official. I’m trying to take things slow, but boy, is he intense.” She fanned herself with the take-out menu. Neither part of the statement was technically a lie. She was trying to take it slow, and Aldo Moretta was incredibly intense.

“I can’t believe our little Aldo is finally all grown up,” Sophie sighed.

“Do you have any pictures of this Italian stud?” Hannah asked.

Gloria blushed again and nodded. “I have some on my phone.” They stuck their heads together over the screen, and Gloria felt herself glow while Hannah openly admired her boyfriend.

Sophie’s hot pink phone rang on the table. “Speaking of hot studs, it’s the hubby.” She took it into the dining room to answer. She returned a few seconds later, her forehead furrowed. She held her phone out to Harper. “It’s Ty. He wants to talk to you. Sounds like he’s in full-on cop mode.”

Gloria’s skin prickled again, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

Harper raised her eyebrows and took the phone. “Hey, Ty, what’s up? I thought you had the night off.” She listened for a minute, her gaze falling on Gloria, and the color drained from her face.

52

“Do you think he’d come here?” Harper’s question asked in staccato throbbed in Gloria’s head. No. This couldn’t be happening. Not now.

The hang-up calls. Was it him? Or had his mother been keeping tabs on her for him?