The Last Husband by J. S. Cooper

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wrap from the top of the bowl. “Maybe we can do salad and …”
    “Did
someone say that we were having a salad for dinner?” Leo sauntered in. I gave
him a look and nodded my head quickly to the counter where the burnt lamb chops
sat. I saw him glance over and he winked at me. “Salad sounds great. I didn’t
want to tell you before, but I’m trying to avoid meat right now.”
    “You
are?” Lucky looked at him suspiciously.
    “Yes,
I’m trying to stick to only veggies on my new diet.” He paused. “It’s a
Hollywood thing.”
    “Hmm.”
Lucky frowned and shrugged her shoulders. “Oh well, let’s have salad for dinner
then.” I looked at Leo gratefully and smiled. There was a reason why we were
friends. He winked at me again as Lucky got the plates assembled and I laughed
and walked to the fridge. “Thanks for that. I owe you. Do you want a Blue Moon,
Beck’s, or a Corona?”
    “Corona
with lime, please.” Leo grinned and I took two bottles from the fridge.
    “What
about my wine?” Lucky frowned and then just shook her head. “Have your beers,
you Neanderthals.” She smiled at me. “Typical men.”
    “Hey,”
I cried out, pretending to be offended.
    “I’m
joking. My dad would always drink beer, no matter what the occasion was.” She
laughed. “Even on their anniversary when my mom wanted to do a champagne toast,
he’d be drinking Bud.”
    “You
can’t fault good American beer,” Leo laughed.
    “Even
at nice dinners,” she continued. “Even at my birthday parties at McDonald’s.”
    “You
can get beer at McDonald’s now?” I looked at her in surprise.
    “No.”
She laughed. “No, you can’t.”
    “I
used to love McDonald’s as a kid.” I smiled at the memory. “But we only got to
go on special occasions.”
    “Me
too!” Lucky exclaimed. “My parents said I could only go as a treat for doing a
good job in school or birthdays.”
    “Noah
and I were only allowed to go for a treat as well.” I stared at Lucky in
amazement. It seemed like the universe was trying to tell me that this
beautiful woman was made for me.
    “I
hate to break up the McDonald’s love-fest, guys. And I’m not going to tell you
that their burgers are made with horsemeat, and that they have worms in their
milkshakes.” Leo laughed.
    “What?”
Lucky exclaimed and stared at him.
    “I
said I’m not going to tell you that.” He grinned. “But can we please eat? I’m
starving.”
    “It’s
coming, Leonardo.” I rolled my eyes at him.
    “It’s
all right for you, Beaumont. You’re full of love in your stomach, but my
stomach is crying out for a juicy steak.” Leo realized his mistake as soon as
the words were out of his mouth and I froze, worried that Lucky was going to
start crying or start reacting in some other overly-emotional way.
    It
was silent for a few seconds before Lucky burst out laughing. “You should see
your faces, guys. Like someone’s about to die. I am not that sensitive.” Lucky
walked over to me and punched me in the arm. “I’m not a little kid.” She looked
up at me with laughter in her eyes and I felt myself floating in the endless
pools of her love. “Let’s eat the salad while we wait for the pizza.”
    “What
pizza?” I frowned and looked at the oven.
    “The
one you’re about to order.” She grinned and kissed me on the cheek before
sauntering into the dining room with the plates and salad bowl.

 
    ***

 
    “That
was some great pizza, Lucky.” Leo licked his lips and I watched as Lucky
blushed and giggled. I kept a smile on my face, but I was annoyed. Lucky and
Leo had been joking around all evening and I didn’t appreciate it.
    “Well,
I tried hard.”
    “That
pepperoni, ooh la la.”
    “I
made it by hand.”
    “Talented,
I tell ya.”
    “Well,
you know, I’m the next Julia Child.” Lucky laughed and threw her head back.
“Next thing you know I’ll be on Chopped or Top Chef.”
    “You
can come cook for me