Page 86 of Book Club Confidential

“Too bad some of my haters were right,” Hallie said. She took a swig from her bottle, then set it down a little hard. “I got out of town, and I got the degree. But I didn’t do anything great or special. I didn’t open a popular café or set some new trends in culinary design. I worked an ordinary job, which I didn’t like very much, and now I’m getting married just like my mama wanted.” She rocked her head over her shoulders, considering her words. “I guess the town was wrong about that part too. Most folks assumed I’d become a single mother, reading palms at the county fair.” She raised her arms in a mock V for victory. “Did not do any of that.”

“I hate everyone in your hometown,” Kate said, not for the first time.

“Me too,” Hallie agreed.

Kate deflated a bit as she stacked apple slices on her napkin. “It’s awful the way our childhood traumas can still ruin our adult days. You’re living the life you want, and that’s what matters. It’s your life. Right? Anyone who has something negative to say about it can go suck a—toe.”

Tessa laughed.

Hallie cringed. “I have it on good authority a whole lot of folks from my town enjoy that.”

Kate’s expression faltered before she burst into laughter.

“I’m not trying to yuck anyone’s yum,” Hallie said. “It’s just facts.”

She rose abruptly and carried the bowl of caramel to the sink. “Can we please go out for food? I packed everything I use for cooking, and I’m starving.”

“Okay,” Kate said, “but we’re taking the book.”

Hallie drove the trio to the river’s edge. She parked in the brick lot nearest the food trucks, and they walked over the grassy hill from there. A flood of people filled the streets, enjoying the beautiful fall day. Hay bales, corn stalks, and the occasional scarecrow had appeared on every corner, and baskets overflowing with every shade of mum hung from light posts.

Scents of spicy barbacoa and fried jalapeños drifted from the Tico’s Tamales truck. Sweet notes of cinnamon and sugar wafted along the breeze, courtesy of warm elephant ears and churros served by Deep Fried South. Other mobile vendors lined the brick patio crowded with wrought-iron tables and chairs. Fork in the Road served fabulous salads. Burger Betty’s created mouthwatering hamburgers, and Mother Plucker was the go-to stop for chicken. Wings, nuggets, sandwiches, or wraps.

“We hit the jackpot,” Hallie said. “All the good trucks are here right now! I even see Lucinda. She tells me she’s selling her truck every time I see her.” She picked up her pace, inhaling deeply and flinging her arms wide. “This is my Disney World.”

“Which one is Lucinda?” Kate asked Tessa.

“I have no idea. I think she knows everyone here,” Tessa said.

Kate fussed with her giant sunglasses, wig, and hat as they walked. Combined with the muumuu, she looked a little like Tessa’s great-aunt, Helen. “I hope no one recognizes me,” she whispered, fear creeping into her tone. “I will throw myself into the river if I get caught out in this costume, but I’m not ready to walk around as if everyone hasn’t seen my muffin.”

Tessa offered an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. No one is paying any attention to anything outside their bubble. And your disguise is really good.”

Hallie stopped a few feet from the nearest truck. “She’s right. All I see are couples and families. Most of these people probably don’t even know about the Influencers Ball. I wouldn’t know what it was if I wasn’t your friend. And even if someone here has read about it, to most people, those photos are just stuff that happens online. Trust me, none of these people are thinking about the ball, or the, uh, falling out afterward.”

Kate’s jaw dropped at Hallie’s word choice, and she nervously smoothed both hands over her muumuu as if to reassure herself she remained fully covered.

Tessa smiled and bumped gently against Kate’s side.

“What do you guys want?” Hallie asked, moving to the end of the Mother Plucker line. “It’s on me. My treat for helping me pack.”

“Sweet tea sounds good,” Tessa said.

Kate nodded. “Same.”

Hallie rolled her eyes. “You have all this to choose from. You can’t only order drinks. It’s blasphemy.”

Tessa smiled. She’d forgotten who they were talking to. “What if you surprise us?”

“I love that,” Kate said. “Please surprise us.”

Hallie beamed and rocked onto her toes, scanning the row of trucks. “Challenge accepted. Find a table in the shade. We’re going to be here awhile.”

Tessa followed Kate to a picnic table on the grass near the water. A massive willow tree cast its shadow over everything within ten yards. Tessa suspected Kate chose the table strategically, not just for the abundant shade. They sat far enough from the trucks and activity to make it difficult to identify her, especially in her hat and wig. Honestly, she didn’t blame her. She couldn’t imagine how awful it must feel to have been exposed like that, then publicly mocked for it.

Kate chose the seat facing the river, with her back to everything and everyone else. “I’m a meme now. Did you know?”

Tessa felt her heart break. “Barenaked Katie?”