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"I probably wont get in," he said at last.
"Come on, David. They have a building named after your family. "
"Then you will, too. " He turned to her then, gathered her into his arms, and held her, kissed her. She let herself be swept into that kiss until nothing else mattered but them.
Later, when she was alone again, walking through the sad darkness of her apartment, she couldnt help wishing she lived in his world, where everything came easy. Dreams most of all.
WHEN MIRA RETURNED FROM CARPOOL, ANGIE WAS standing on her front porch.
"Youre up bright and early," Mira said, walking up the path. "And you sorta look like shit. "
"You should talk. Does everyone wear ripped sweatpants and rubber shoes for carpool?"
"Most of us. Come on in. " Smiling, she led Angie into the house, which smelled of coffee and pancakes. Picking up toys along the way, she went to the kitchen and poured two cups of coffee. "Okay," she said, settling into a plaid, overstuffed chair in the cluttered family room. "Why are you here and why do you look like a Survivor contestant?"
"Very funny. " Angie plopped into a chair. "I was up most of
the night, working. "
"Working, huh?" Mira sipped her coffee and eyed Angie over the chipped rim.
Angie handed her sister a notebook. "Heres what I want to do. "
Mira set down her mug and opened the notebook. Surprise widened her eyes as she read.
Angie launched into it. "In addition to the coat promotion, Ive planned for wine night on Tuesdays, where all bottles would be half off; date night on Thursdays, where dinner would come with two movie tickets; and happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays. We could open the restaurant at three oclock and serve drinks and free hors doeuvres until five oclock. You know: antipasti, bruschetta, that kind of thing. My research indicates that a few happy hours a week could almost double our weekly gross. Were wasting our liquor license by using it for a drink here and there. And hows this: Rediscover Romance at DeSarias. Its my ad tagline. I thought we could hand out roses to all the couples who come in. "
"Holy shit," Mira muttered.
Angie knew what that meant: Her sister had come to the Big Item. The menu change. "I want us to double the prices and cut half the items on the current menu. We need to do more with fresh fish and seasonal vegetables. "
"Holy shit," Mira said again, looking up. "Papa would have loved all this, Ange. "
"I know. Its Mama Im worried about. "
Mira laughed. "As we used to say, duh. "
"How do I pitch these ideas to her?"
"From a distance, preferably wearing body armor. "
"Funny. "
"Okay, princess. There are two ways to get around Mama. The first and most obvious is to use Papa. Ultimately, shes always done anything to make him happy. "
"Unfortunately, shes the one hes talking to. "
"Yeah, so youll need plan B. Make her think its her idea. I did that when I wanted to go see Wings at the Kingdome. It took almost a month, but she finally decided I wouldnt be American enough if I didnt go with my friends. "
"How do I do that?"
"It starts with asking for advice. "
TEN
LAUREN STOOD IN THE CENTER OF THE DINING room, staring down at the collection of salt and pepper shakers shed gathered together.
All night shed been trying to figure out how to ask Angie for an advance on her first paycheck. Or to borrow a dress.
