“Oh, I disagree with that,” Suzanne said. “I don’t think you should ever regret loving anyone. Love is such a miracle. You’ll never know for sure, but maybe you loved him the best he’ll ever know. And maybe when he thinks about it, he’ll be a better person for it.”

Leslie took the pitcher of tea from the refrigerator and put it on the counter. I got three glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice.

“I’m not sorry I married Charlie,” Leslie said. “I loved him, but I’m not sure I made him a better anything.”

“Can I ask you ladies something?” Suzanne said. “It’s about that pitcher of tea.”

“What about it?” I asked.

“Is it magic? I mean, it’s the best iced tea in the world. But, like, does it refill itself? It never appears to be empty.”

“It never is,” Leslie said. “If it was, I think we’d all shrivel up and die.”

Chapter 34: Bee Happy

I said, “Did you know you can use honey on a cut or a scrape and it will keep germs out?”

Hunter said, “Is that why they say go lick your wounds?”

“How old are you?” Suzanne said. “Who is this kid?”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Bee Happy

Momma was out of bed and Suzanne was completely dedicated to her full recovery.

“We’re going to take a stroll down to the Obstinate Daughter, that charming little spot named for Char, and have some lunch.”

“I don’t know if I can walk that far,” the QB said.

“Go!” I said. “If you need me, call me. I can come pick you up.”

With that assurance, Momma nodded at Suzanne and they were off.

“I wonder what Jacques and Jonathan are going to say,” Leslie said.

Jacques Larson, the executive chef, and Jonathan Bentley, the general manager, were in charge of almost everything about the restaurant, especially the image. If they looked at Suzanne and loved her, she and the queen would receive the royal treatment—a great table, focused interest on their comfort and enjoyment, and countless freebies from the kitchen. If not, well, I’d get a call soon.

“Um, I feel like every kind of superstar that passes through Charleston goes there, so they’re used to characters showing up at the door,” I said. “I’m not worried.”

While they were at lunch, Ted called. Finally.

“Officer Meyers? I thought maybe you were ghosting me,” I said.

Leslie, who was standing by, wasn’t used to me being even remotely clever. She gave me the strangest look.

He asked me if I would like to have dinner and I said, “Sure. When?”

He said, “I was thinking about tonight.”

“Why not?” I said. “What time?”

“How’s six? I’m done at five and I just have to shower up. I think six is safe,” he said.