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Lauren smiled. “Great minds think alike, bud.” She turned to Tom. “Thanks as usual for bringing him by.”
“No problem.” Tom glanced around the store, taking in the full inventory. At least today there were customers present. Or potential customers, that is. She knew what he was thinking because he’d expressed his opinion before. He was worried she wasn’t bringing in enough revenue to sustain the shop. “Business is okay?”
“Business is great!” she said, sounding overenthusiastic, causing Tom to frown. “Well, it’s getting better. I expect to turn a profit this month.” He nodded, but Lauren wasn’t sure he bought it. She wasn’t sure she would have bought it, either.
“I’m going in your office to start my homework,” Henry said. “See you later, Dad.” He and Tom high-fived each other.
Lauren expected Tom to take off, but instead he lowered his voice and said, “Henry told me about Dan’s hand. How’s Maureen doing with that?”
“She’s fine,” Lauren said. Of course, Momma wasn’t really fine, but what could anyone do about that? She once again thought about Nate’s advice. This time about the family counseling. She wished there was a way she could bring that up that wouldn’t put Momma into a tailspin. “You’re a sweetheart to ask.”
Lauren noticed that the woman who’d been eyeing the wedding dress was still in the shop, which was a good sign. “If you don’t mind,” Lauren said, nodding her head in the woman’s direction, “I think I have a customer waiting.”
“Sure thing.” Tom said his goodbyes and Lauren came up to the young woman and smiled. “It’s a gorgeous dress, isn’t it?”
The woman turned to look at her and Lauren could have sworn she seemed familiar. But Lauren didn’t remember meeting her. The woman glanced back at the dress, her light brown eyes narrowed. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about vintage clothing. Or wedding dresses for that matter.”
“This is actually a consignment,” Lauren said. “I usually don’t do those but I couldn’t have afforded this dress as part of my inventory. Not without knowing for sure that I could have sold it.” She extended her hand. “I’m Lauren Donalan.”
“Melanie Miller,” said the woman, shaking her hand. “But everyone calls me Lanie.”
“You’re Nate’s sister, aren’t you? I thought I recognized you from…high school, maybe?”
“I was a freshman when you and Nate were seniors. I voted for you for Homecoming Queen, by the way.”
Lauren laughed. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Is there something I can help you with today?” Lauren asked, but she was beginning to get that fizzy feeling in her stomach again. And this time she couldn’t blame it on any margaritas.
“I’ll get right down to it. I’m here to check you out.” The direct way in which Lanie said that instantly reminded her of Nate. Was the whole Miller clan like this? If so, Lauren had to wonder what family dinners were like.
“Not check you out like that,” Lanie said. “Let’s just say I’m here to vet you. You have a date with my brother tomorrow night and I’m here to give you the ground rules. First off, separate cars. That way if the date goes south then there’s no weirdness on the ride home. Secondly, I’ve already arranged to pay for the meal. Drinks included. But please, try to restrain yourself. I’m not a wealthy person. Thirdly, no matter what happens, I want you to act like you’re having a good time. That’s important, okay?”
It took Lauren a few seconds to recover. “Uh, look, Lanie, I know my mother put you up to this, but I can’t imagine your brother thinks this is a good idea.” It had been what? Just five days ago that she’d called him Mr. Spock. And he’d just sat there at his desk, blinking at her through those glasses of his.
“He said he’d go, if you go.”
“He said that?”
“Yep, and for the record, look, I know Nate’s probably not your type. That was your ex in here, wasn’t it? Big muscles, blonde, blue-eyed, a regular dreamboat. Nate, well…I happen to think he’s all right, but I’m his sister, so what do I know? But he’s been publicly humiliated and even though he acts like it’s no big deal, I know this is going to fester inside him for a long time. The only way to get over a fall is to get back on the horse again. Comprende?”
“And I’m the…horse?”
Lanie cocked her head and looked at her as if she could see right through her but wasn’t sure whether or not she approved of what she saw. “Let’s face it, you’re the type of girl any guy would love to go out with. So all you have to do is smile and nod your head and make my brother look good in public so people will get that YouTube video out of their heads. And in exchange, you’ll get your mother off your back.”
Lauren must have looked startled, because Lanie laughed. “I’ve met the woman, remember? Don?
?t get me wrong, I admire that kind of tenacity, but sister, here’s a word of warning, that woman is determined to see you married again even if it kills her.”
“Warning noted. But…you’re sure Nate’s onboard with this date?”
“Positive.” Lanie reached inside her bag and handed Lauren a slip of paper. “Here are the details. Seven o’clock. Sharp. Don’t let me hear that you stood my brother up, or there’ll be hell to pay.” Lanie glared at her one final time then walked out the shop.
Geez! Nate’s sister was something all right. Lauren had to admire the way she looked after her brother. Like some avenging guardian angel. But Lanie was right. Going on this date with Nate would kill two birds with one stone. According to Lanie, Nate would reclaim some of his lost dignity, and Lauren could tell her mother that she’d given Whispering Bay’s “newest most eligible bachelor” a try.
Lauren unfolded the paper and read its contents. Oh. She was wrong about Nate’s sister. Lanie was no guardian angel. She was more like Satan’s helper.
