“You didn’t—” Cherry began, both horrified and fascinated at once.
“I had a little investigation done by my cousin, who is a private investigator.” Grabbing her oversized shoulder bag from under the table, Susie drew a large envelope from it and proceeded to pull some photographs from it, which she dually handed over accompanied by explanations. “This is his mother, she’s a plumpy, right? His sister is no light-weight. He loves them both very much and isn’t ashamed of them. See that photo?” She handed over another glossy picture. “He took his sister to the school dance when her date ditched her.”
“So he’s a good brother and son,” Maxie said, studying the photos over Cherry’s shoulder. “So what does that prove?”
“A bit of his background,” Susie replied. “His dad is a hottie, even given his age.”
“Oh my God,” Cherry groaned. “I can’t believe you did this!”
“I can,” Maxie said.
“You’re my friend,” Susie replied. “Of course I did it. I don’t intend to let you ruin your life.”
“If Rick finds out what you did, it’ll be ruined anyway,” Cherry answered.
“Just look at the photos,” Susie continued blithely. “Admit it, his dad is hot, his mum is plump. Turns out she always was, and the same for him.”
“Tell me your friend didn’t ask someone that.”
“He keeps his contacts confidential.”
Cherry shook her head, fascinated in spite of herself at this glimpse into Rick’s life.
“His first girlfriend—”
“Tell me you don’t have her photo as well!”
“His first girlfriend was slim,” Susie said. “No photos. But he’s had a few girlfriends since then, and all of them have been of varying builds. Slim and large, Cherry, slim and large.”
“I get it.” She wasn’t sure what to think. Relief was a definite emotion, but… “What was his last girlfriend like?”
“I’ll hit you on the head with that bowl of chips in a minute,” Susie threatened.
“Just asking.”
“My cousin—”
“The private investigator,” Cherry said sardonically.
“—says that as Rick got older, once he got past that first flush of raging teenage hormones, his taste has been towards the larger female figure.” Susie held up one finger. “But it never affected his choice of girlfriend. If he was interested in a girl, be her large or not, he dated her. But his friends said his eye was always for a larger woman. He likes them voluptuous.”
“I can’t believe you did this.” Shaking her head again, Cherry returned the photos. “If he ever finds out, I’ll never live it down.”
“He won’t find out.” Susie cheerfully tucked the photos back into the envelope and replaced it in her shoulder bag. “I’m destroying these photos when I get home.”
Maxie leaned back on the booth. “I admire your mind, Susie, but sometimes you scare me.”
Laughing, Susie plucked a chip from Cherry’s bowl and bit into it. “Yummy.” Her gaze transferred to Cherry. “And so is Rick. Feel better now?”
“To be honest with you, I have no freaking idea how I feel.” Cherry drained the Diet Coke from her glass, caught the eye of the waitress and motioned with her glass and a hopeful smile. The waitress nodded and came over. “Diet Coke, please, very large,” Cherry said. “An iced tea, very small, for my friend.”
“Hey,” Susie objected without rancour. “Make it a large.”
The waitress nodded and left.
Cherry studied Susie.
“So you see,” Susie said, satisfaction oozing in her tone, “Rick is a genuine man who cares little for society’s ideals.”
“Why is it so important to you?”
Sobering, Susie reached over and laid her hand atop Cherry’s. “Because you’re my friend. Because you’ve come alive since seeing Rick. Because you deserve every good thing that comes your way, and I don’t want your insecurities to destroy any chance of happiness you have.”
“I was happy before,” Cherry pointed out, touched with her friend’s concern.
“But wanting. Wanting a man in her life, a chance for cuddling and kissing, sharing your life. You have a chance and I’m not going to let you blow it.”
Cherry didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had to swallow the lump that rose in her throat. Turning her hand over, she squeezed Susie’s hand. True, her friend had gone way beyond the scope Cherry would have done, but she’d meant well. And really, one had to admire Susie, she was like a dog with a bone when it came to her friends’ happiness.