AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t look so disappointed because it’s just me.” Lexi frowned and then playfully poked her tongue out.
When it came time for Waverly to get serious about pageants, Jillian had made sure she had the best pageant coach ever, and that was none other than Lexi Pendergrass Reyes—at the time. Now anyone with a camera who wanted to host their own social media show could claim they were the best pageant coach.
“Aw, don’t get your feelings in a bunch.” Waverly laughed as she rose up from her seat. She crossed the hardwood floors of the studio in the four-inch heels she wore just to keep herself in constant training. It didn’t matter that the strappy black sandals were out of place with the denim shorts and turquoise Grits and Glam Gowns and Studios shirt she wore. “I am equally glad to see you.”
“Don’t tell that lie.” Lexi laughed. The two old friends hugged.
Lexi, graceful as ever, glided across the dance floor directly to the window. “Oh, look, the garage is opened.”
There was nothing in Lexi’s monotone voice to lead toward surprise. Waverly followed her over to the window and crossed her arms and understood Lexi’s flat, teasing tone. “This is why I hate living in a small town,” Waverly said with a shake of her head.
“What?” Lexi overdramatically gaped. She pressed her hand against her chest. “Are you implying that I came down here of my own free will, fueled by the gossip of the heated make-out session between you and Dominic Crowne at the Christmas Advisory Council the other night?” Lexi didn’t even fool herself with the innocent act. She collapsed on the couch to sober up her laughing fit.
Waverly leaned against the cool glass. It was almost December and the weather showed no sign of changing from early fall. The air conditioner was the only thing bringing in the seasonal spirit. Last night’s storm only brought in the humidity.
With the mention of Dominic, Waverly naturally cast a glance across the street. The garage doors were open. Two cars were in line to get checked out. Three workers came out to guide Miss Brittany Foley’s Jaguar. She stepped out of her vehicle in a pair of way too short shorts and a leopard-print tank top. Highly inappropriate for an elementary school teacher, Waverly thought to herself. Did the trollop think she was going to get Dominic’s attention like that? And where was he anyway? The several dozen times she’d already glanced out there, she hadn’t seen him at all. Was he that buried in paperwork?
“Earth to Waverly,” Lexi said, snapping her fingers. “You okay, girl?”
“Sorry.” Waverly recovered. She rubbed her neck with her right hand and moved away from the window. Any more glances out there and she’d reach stalker level. “What brings you in today? Besides this being your own establishment?”
“Stephen was driving me nuts and the kids don’t get out of school for a few more weeks. I tell ya, I got spoiled with last week’s Thanksgiving break.”
Lexi wasn’t fooling anyone. She loved having Stephen by her side. How many days had Reyes Realty next door been run by interns or Nate, rather than the head man himself?
“I’ll believe you want a break,” said Waverly. She plopped down on the other end of the couch.
“Tired of being Miss Southwood?” Lexi asked. “You’re about to change titles, especially now since you almost have your six months’ residency in.”
Waverly shook her head no. “I love being Miss Southwood, but it was nice last weekend not to have to get dressed up for anything or travel.”
“Yeah, speaking of travel,” Lexi said, pressing her hand against Waverly’s shoulder. Waverly glanced at her friend’s unmanicured nails. What a strange sight to see. Lexi was always dressed to a T, and now she sat here with an orange stain over her shoulder, a yellow splotch on her capri jeans. “You didn’t come over to the house.”
“Lexi, I worked at the vet center in Black Wolf Creek serving Thanksgiving food.”
“Oh,” Lexi cooed and reached for her phone. “I’m on an alert for any social media posts of you. Where are the photos?”
“I didn’t alert anyone in the pageant circuit.”
“What?” Lexi gaped. “No wonder I didn’t find you. Waverly serving at a vet center would be a great photo op to upgrade your image and secure everyone’s vote for the runoff.”
“Nah,” said Waverly. “I didn’t let the committee know I was going. I just did it to go—it wouldn’t seem as sincere if I had cameras following me.”
“Jillian must have had a fit.”
“I didn’t bother telling her,” Waverly said with a shrug. “When I finished in Black Wolf Creek, I came home and curled up on the couch with some fried turkey and corn bread and stuffing wontons, and I washed it all down with a cranberry smoothie while I watched the recorded parade.”
“That sounds disgusting.”
“The disgusting part was not even changing out of my pj’s the rest of the weekend.” Waverly chuckled. “You know, I don’t think I even pulled a brush through my hair until Sunday night.”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “And I thought I was bad.”
“You at least have a reason for looking a mess.”
“Hey now.” Lexi pouted and touched her blond hair. Women spent hundreds of dollars to get Lexi’s color—which she came by naturally. And she never looked a mess.
Waverly leaned over and bumped Lexi’s shoulder. “I’m kidding.”
