Page 56 of Book Club Confidential

“Ew, no!” Hallie called. “Not a Southern gentleman from a proper family!”

Kate smiled sadly. “It might be my destiny after all. Everyone I meet is only out to hook up, and I’m sorry, but thirtysomething is too old for a smash and dash.”

“Legions of men beg to differ,” Hallie called.

Tessa snorted but kept her eyes on the beads and sequins before her.

“Ugh!” Hallie grunted. “Why are there so many straps on this? My arms are getting tangled over my head.”

Kate went to help her.

Nearly three hours later, Tessa and Hallie had each tried on more than a dozen dresses. Tessa’s head swam with heat, exertion, and the effects of too many complimentary mimosas.

Hallie swung the slip dress with plum overlay and hanger over one shoulder, looking cool and collected. She’d wisely opted for bottled water and ended up with the first gown she tried.

Tessa had chosen an ice-blue ensemble and carried it toward the register like a groom carrying a bride over the threshold. A pair of strappy satin heels hung from the crook of one finger. “I haven’t spent this much money in one place since paying off my subsidized student loan.” She’d likely be making unsubsidized loan payments until retirement.

“I have no idea how I’m going to pay for mine,” Hallie said. “Normally, I’d put it on Bryce’s card, but I feel like I shouldn’t until I talk with him about things. You think this place takes payments?”

Kate cast a weary look over her shoulder in Hallie’s direction. “If you can make all the payments by next week, sure.”

“I’ve got it,” Tessa said.

“No.” Hallie winced. “I just need a minute to think.”

“It’s not a hardship,” Tessa assured. “And I want to, so let me. You can always pay me back later, when you’re a rich female restaurateur, serving mouth-watering dishes on the daily and helping young culinary artists like yourself get a leg up.”

“I couldn’t get a business loan to buy a hot dog cart, but thank you,” she said. “I will figure it out. I promise.”

The friends paid and moved back into the day, two of them slightly tipsier than when they’d arrived, but doubly as happy.

Tessa squinted against the midday sunlight as it glinted off the river and passing cars. “By the way,” she said, “I think I have an enormous, ridiculous crush on Grant Gaines.”

“Called it,” Hallie said. “Literally saw that coming a mile away.”

“I know,” Tessa said. “I tried to shut it down, but every minute I spend with him I get more invested.”

Kate gave a soft squeak of delight. “So you’re getting to know him personally? Is that going to be a problem, professionally?”

“Yes and most likely,” Tessa said, laughing a little at the absurdity. Not because it wasn’t right for her company to take issue, but because two weeks ago, she would have never. “He bought me dinner,” she added. The wind picked up, and the mimosas sloshed uncomfortably in her stomach. “And he kissed my cheek good night.”

Hallie cackled. “You are cooked. Xavier will have a stroke over this.”

Kate wrinkled her nose. “Well, I love this for you! No one ever catches your interest. When’s the last time you had a date?”

Tessa rocked her head noncommittally over each shoulder. “Technically, it wasn’t a date. We toured a prospective property for his new office, then went to a restaurant to talk about it.”

Kate’s grin widened. “Uh-huh,” she said. “And is that all you talked about? Strictly work-related things?”

Tessa bit her lip, attempting and failing to squelch a smile. “No.”

“Cooked,” Hallie repeated.

“And he kissed your cheek,” Kate said. “A simple wave or handshake would’ve sufficed.”

Tessa recalled the feel of his large hand enveloping hers, and she shivered.

“Oh boy,” Kate said. “You like him!” She pointed to a café across the street. “I need some coffee and food before I drive home. Do you have time for a bite?”