Free A Better Reason to Fall in Love by Marcia Lynn McClure

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    “Yes, ma’am,” the waiter answered. “But don’t worry, ma’am. It wasn’t hunted for sport…though it was hunted down in its day, for chompin’ down a man. It’s over forty years old. Miss Genevieve’s husband killed it, performed a bit of taxidermy, and turned that ol’ gator into a clock.”
    Tabby giggled as Naomi’s eyes widened with astonishment.
    “I’m Rhett, and I’ll be your waiter, so you ladies just let me know when y’all are ready to order,” the young man said.
    “Rhett? Really?” Naomi asked.
    Tabby rolled her eyes, somewhat annoyed by Naomi’s perpetual attitude of doubt.
    “Yes, ma’am,” the waiter said. His smile broadened as he nodded to Naomi, adding, “And yes, ma’am…I’m named after that Rhett.” Tabby giggled as the waiter winked at Naomi, adding, “I’ll give you ladies a minute or two. All right?”
    “Thanks,” Tabby told him as he turned and sauntered toward another table.
    “Well, he’s just too delicious!” Emmy whispered. “Are you telling me that even the waiters are flown in from the bayou?”
    Everyone giggled and continued to study the menus—everyone except Naomi. She’d made her decision and was busily texting away.
    Tabby sighed. The atmosphere of the restaurant was soothing. For the first time in days, she felt calm, at ease, and entirely happy.
    “I’ve never had crawfish,” Emmy said, still studying the menu. “I wonder if it’s gross. They have it as an appetizer here. Should we try it?”
    “Not me,” Jocelyn said. “I’ll stick with something else.”
    Tabby smiled, decided to try the crawfish scampi, and looked to the stage at the other end of the restaurant. This was an escape from the office; this was what she needed.
    ❦
    “It was so good I’m sick!” Jocelyn moaned, leaning back in her chair. “Armando is taking me to a movie tonight. I hope he’s not planning to do dinner too. I’ll pop!”
    “What are you doing tonight, Tabs?” Emmy asked. “Any big plans?”
    Tabby smiled, feeling sorry for Emmy. Emmy loved Luke—truly, deeply, and almost insanely. However, Tabby knew it was hard for Emmy, when everyone else had romantic dates planned for the weekend, to sit at home and dream of Luke’s return. Of course, Tabby didn’t have any romantic dates planned for that night. In fact, it had been quite some time since she’d had a date at all.
    “Me?” she answered, shrugging. “Nope. Just a quiet evening at home, I guess.”
    “Me too,” Emmy sighed.
    Tabby smiled at her friend. “Maybe we should have a quiet evening at home together,” she suggested. “We could watch a movie or something.”
    “That’s right!” Emmy said. “Chloe’s still in Chicago, huh?”
    In that moment, the lights in the dining area of the restaurant dimmed. Simultaneously, the white twinkle lights that bordered the small platform stage across the way lit up. Tabby hadn’t even noticed that all the chairs and tables on the entertainment side of the restaurant had been filled by more patrons. She was a little disappointed, for she’d hoped to get a seat in that section of the restaurant in order to enjoy a few minutes of entertainment before having to head back to work.
    “Ooo!” Emmy whispered. “They must be starting the show.”
    “It’s not Broadway, you know,” Tabby told Emmy, smiling.
    Emmy shrugged. “It’ll be fun either way. I’ve eaten lunch while watching clowns, violinists, mariachi bands, and even cliff divers. But I’ve never been in a blues and jazz joint.”
    Tabby giggled as she turned her attention to the stage.
    “Someone’s setting up,” Jocelyn said.
    Tabby squinted, peering through the darkened restaurant toward the performing platform. The so-called stage lights were still off, but she could see a man sitting up on a stool and an amp.
    “Even I’m intrigued,” Naomi said, closing her phone at last.
    “Test, test,” the man said into a microphone. The man ripped a short electric guitar