Free Emma vs. The Tech Guy by Lia Fairchild Page B

matter-of-factly. It was bad enough Jayne and the other women dropped at Guy’s feet. Now I had man crushes to deal with too?
    “C’mon, Jaynie girl. Let’s go see if our salads are here.”
     

Chapter 9
     
    “It’s not a date,” Pop said. He stared out the window as we backed out of the driveway and headed a block over to pick up Mrs. Elwood.
    I glanced to the side to see him dry-washing his hands in his lap. “Don’t be nervous, Pop.”
    “I’m not nervous,” he snapped. “For crying out loud, Emma Jean. We’re just taking her to a doctor’s appointment.”
    “Yeah, and it was nice of you to offer my services,” I said.
    “You know I would have done it.” His hands checked the buttons on his shirt.
    “I know.” Pop was losing sight in his right eye and wasn’t allowed to renew his driver’s license. He didn’t spend too much time behind the wheel anyway, but my heart still ached a bit for how he must have been feeling. I can still remember when our seats were reversed, and he was teaching me to drive. “Offensive, yes. Mario Andretti, no,” he’d said before pulling over and giving me my shot. He’d held his tongue when I ground the gears and rolled over the trashcan when we got back home. I had shrugged a sorry to which he’d replied, “You’re learning, Emma Jean. And at least it wasn’t the neighbor’s cat.”
    I pulled into Mrs. Elwood’s driveway and smiled at Pop for the loving memory he didn’t know he gave me.
    “I was only teasing, Pop. I’m happy to do it.” I put the brake on and patted him on the shoulder. “Now go get your woman.”
    He shot me a dirty look before getting out. When he returned a few minutes later, he trailed a nicely dressed Mrs. Elwood. The two walked at a snail’s pace. I wondered if my life would ever slow down. It would be a welcome change once in a while, but truthfully, I wasn’t quite ready to sit on park benches watching the squirrels pick through trash.
    Pop held the door for his companion, making sure her long skirt didn’t catch in the door before closing it. Her hair was short but stylish for someone her age. She didn’t bother to dye the gray. I couldn’t even imagine.
    When they were both in, Pop made formal introductions, though I was sure I’d seen her before. Probably at church or the senior center.
    “Eddie’s told me so much about you,” Mrs. Elwood said, smiling at me in the mirror.
    I loved the sound of the nickname and returned an even bigger smile back at her. Then I turned it in Pop’s direction, who shook his head in warning. I wasn’t about to say a word. The boys probably gave him enough crap as it was. Their reaction when she called during their poker night told me they would take full advantage.
    “Well I’m glad we could all get together.”
    “Yes, and when Eddie insisted on taking me to my appointment, he said you wouldn’t mind. I do appreciate that,” she said.
    “It’s no trouble at all,” I said even as I thought it was the complete opposite. I had to get up extra early, work from home, and then drive to Pop’s house. Work really couldn’t have been any busier than it was right then. The trade show was days away, the redesign launch followed close behind, and my new BFF, Guy, still needed guidance, not to mention a watchful eye. I didn’t have time for much else.
    But this was my Pop we were talking about. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. For a long time all I did was take. He was my caregiver, financial supporter, shoulder to cry on, confidence builder, you name it. And he didn’t blame me or ever hold it against me. I guess he knew he was all I had. Even when my dad showed up between his truck-hauling jobs or latest flushing-money-down-the-toilet business schemes, it was all about him. Did Dad ask how yearbook committee was going, or if my heart had mended after David broke up with me for Kaitlyn? No, because he didn’t give a shit. At least that’s what I told myself because