AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Dress?” She wasn’t wearing a dress to work, not even for the grand opening of Tangled Charms.
Her mother nodded. “You know, for the wedding.” When Jillian continued to send her mother a puzzled look, her mother added, “Surely you didn’t forget your cousin’s wedding? It’s this weekend.”
“Oh.” Truthfully, she had forgotten about it. She told herself it was all of the last-minute details for the grand opening that had her distracted, but if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to think about the wedding.
Everyone she knew seemed to be getting married or having babies. And then there was her. The one big disappointment to her mother. She had no man in her life. And no chance of giving her mother a grandbaby. She didn’t even have so much as a dog, cat, or goldfish. There was just her. And her mother routinely fussed over her bare ring finger.
Her mother ran the dishcloth over the table. “I take it by your response that you forgot about the wedding.”
“Something like that.”
“I figured that would happen so I RSVP’d for you. And I included a plus one for you.”
“But I don’t have anyone to go with me.”
“You could always ask Glenn.”
“We broke up.”
Her mother frowned. “I know you did. But why? He seemed so nice.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” It didn’t matter what she said, it wouldn’t erase her mother’s disappointmen
t. “I can just go by myself—”
“No. That won’t work. We don’t want you going all by yourself when all of your friends will be with their significant others. I’ll check and see if one of my friends’ single sons will escort you—”
“No. Don’t.”
Her mother arched a perfectly plucked brow. “Does that mean you have someone special in mind?”
Panic jumbled her thoughts. She just couldn’t have her mother planning out her love life. Once her mother started, she wouldn’t stop. So far, Jillian had managed on her own. “Yes, I do.”
The worry lines etching her mother’s face smoothed. “That’s wonderful. Who is it?”
“I’m not telling you because I haven’t asked him yet.” She didn’t even know who the ‘him’ would be.
Her mother’s whole demeanor became more amenable. “You check with your friend and see if he’s available. I’ll need to know as soon as possible. If your idea doesn’t work, I’ll call my friends.” Her mother glanced at the clock. “Well, I better get moving. I don’t want to be late for work.”
Jillian hustled out the door. She was in serious trouble. If she didn’t come up with her own date, her mother would take it upon herself to make sure she had an escort. It was her mother’s mission to make sure Jillian had a happy, fulfilled life like she’d had with Jillian’s father until a massive heart attack stole him away.
Jillian didn’t have a clue where she’d find a date for the wedding, but there had to be some guy around Marietta who wouldn’t mind some free food and dancing. Right?
It had warmed up since yesterday, melting the snow. Jillian decided it was a good day to walk to work. She was surprised to find how many Marietta residents were out and about. She smiled and waved hello to everyone she passed. She inquired about the health of some and thanked others for their kind words about Tangled Charms.
She also passed some of Marietta’s good-looking men. There was Cormac Sheehan. Definitely a fine-looking man, but taken. And then she passed by Jasper Flint, another Marietta man who was off the market. Where were all of the single guys this morning?
Probably hiding because they’d heard that her mother was out to set her up on a date. Jillian couldn’t blame them. In her experience, being set up on a date was the worst. There had to be one man who was gallant enough to ride to her rescue. But who?
By the time Jillian entered the shop, she was frowning. She hadn’t thought of any candidates. All she’d succeeded in doing was giving herself a headache.
“Good morning.” Suzanna’s face lit up with a smile.
“Morning.” Jillian rubbed her forehead.
“Whoa. What’s wrong with you?”
“My mother.”
