“You have our word, Mike.” Lena spoke up for the first time, her short dreadlocks held off her face with a colorful scarf. She gave Cecile a firm nudge with her elbow. “If you’re giving us permission to find you dinner companionship, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for you.” Lena’s triple-hoop gold earrings brushed against her neck. An artist with the occasional senior modeling gig, Lena looked every inch the part with her brilliant green top and swaths of gold chains dotted with colorful porcelain beads she’d probably made herself. “And no cat-ladies.”

“You have three cats, Lena.” Iris took a sip of her coffee.

“I have no interest in marrying Mike.”

He laughed at that. “You ladies are a kick.”

“If anyone should understand that you don’t want anything serious,” Vickie said, “it’s the three of us.” She gestured at herself, Iris and Lena. “We’ve been single for years. Decades for you, Iris. We don’t need wedding bells.”

Lena’s eyes went soft and wistful. “A dinner companion would be nice once in a while, though.”

Vickie nodded in agreement. “True. I’ve got my routine down to a science after all these years. But I do miss a man’s presence across the table in a nice restaurant. Some grown-up conversation over wine. Even a good-natured debate now and then. Someone to walk to the lakeshore and sit on the dock with.” She blinked, realizing they were all hanging on her words. Vickie straightened. “But I’m fine without it, too.”

“I don’t know how you do it, girls.” Cecile shook her head, swatting at Vickie’s hand when she reached for more fries, then turning her plate so Vickie had easier access. “If I lost Charlie, I don’t know how I’d go on. I don’t think companionship would cut it. He’s the love of my life, and he can’t be replaced with just any warm body.”

Vickie nodded. “After three marriages, I don’t think I’d ever get serious with anyone again. But as annoying as men can be, I do miss having one around.”

“Agreed.” Iris surprised them by jumping into the conversation. Her husband left her fifty years ago. Mike finished his burger, listening to this tell-all lunch conversation.

“Iris, are you saying you’d like a dinner date once in a while?” Cecile’s disbelief was clear.

The older woman’s blue eyes narrowed dangerously. “Yes, Cecile. Even cranky old Iris gets lonely occasionally. And if you think that’s shocking...” She leaned forward. “Wait until I tell you what I’d like a man to do with my body!”

Mike nearly choked on his soda. “Ladies, please!” He covered his mouth with his napkin to hide his laughter. “Remember you have an impressionable young man at the table.”

Iris swatted at his arm. “Impressionable, my ass. But I’ll spare you from any more details.”