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“Well, I’ve been begging Trevor to escort Scarlett Littlefield and he refuses to.”
“Sounds like Trevor just doesn’t want to be tied down to a date. You know how he is about that.”
“Oh, please. I know that boy has a reputation for being a ladies’ man. It’s one night, for Pete’s sake. That’s all I’m asking for. The last few years he’s brought the most dreadful girls. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he picked them up at the bar the night before.”
He probably had, but I wasn’t about to tell my mother that.
“Mom, you know what you have to do to get him to agree.”
She sighed. “I know, but I feel like that’s a low blow.”
I laughed. “Why do you want Trevor to go out with this girl so much?”
“She’s adorable and if he would entertain the thought of a girlfriend, they would be perfect for each other.”
“Methinks our little Trevor is not going to be entertaining the thought of a girlfriend any time soon, Mom.”
She brushed me off with her hand. “Nonsense. I see the restlessness in his soul. He needs a woman like Scarlett.”
“And how does Scarlett feel about Trevor?”
Fiddling with her hands, she mumbled something.
I leaned closer to her, cupping my hand around my ear like I was hard of hearing. “I’m sorry. What was that? I didn’t really hear you.”
“She doesn’t want to be fixed up with anyone. She’s stubborn like her mother and insists on going to the dinner stag. Stag! Can you believe it?”
“What’s wrong with that? I’m sure lots of people will be there without dates.”
“My son will not be one of them. I let it go in years past because he and Amelia were both younger. Now that Amelia is married, Trevor is going to have to escort a proper young lady.”
“Just tell him that, then. He can pick his own date.”
“No!” my mother nearly screamed. “It has to be Scarlett.”
“Mom, you do know if you push them together, Trevor will fight tooth and nail. What you need to do is make it seem like it was his idea. Not yours. Has he seen Scarlett since she moved back from Boston?”
“I’m not sure. Her mother did say she hadn’t been to Cord’s Place yet.”
“Trevor will be working Friday night. If you can get Scarlett there, I bet Cord and I can get Trevor interested in taking her to the dinner.”
My mother’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
I couldn’t believe I was doing this. A small part of me agreed with my mother, though. It was time both Cord and Trevor gave up the endless sleeping around.
“Yep. My sisters aren’t the only ones who know how to play matchmaker. And I have a feeling they learned from the best. Their mother.”
She stood and straightened her hair before smoothing out her pencil skirt. “Why…I have no idea what you’re talking about, Tripp.”
With a wink, she reached for a hug. “I’m counting on you. Don’t let your mama down.”
Holding her close to me, I replied, “No, ma’am. I wouldn’t dream of doing that.”
“Now, you do all you can for Harley. Whatever it takes. You hear?” she stated as she messed with my tie and patted me on the chest. “I love you, Tripp.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Once she left the room, I started back for my desk when I heard her exclaim, “Harley! Darling! What a nice surprise seeing you here!”
I rolled my eyes and headed out of my office to save Harley from my mother. She was on a roll today.
“Melanie, it’s so great seeing you. How are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m doing amazing. I know you’ll be at the spring fling this weekend, but are you coming to the benefit dinner?”
“Well, um, actually I was asked to attend with Toby.”
I slowed my pace and stopped just shy of where my mother and Harley were standing. A heaviness traveled over my chest as I let Harley’s words sink in. Why was I so bothered by this? I had planned on taking Mallory.
“Wonderful. I’m so glad you’ll be there.”
My mother had Harley’s hand in hers. “I am, too.”
“It is so nice having you back home. I know I told you that before.” My mother pulled Harley in for a kiss and then a hug. She whispered something that made Harley’s cheeks flush.
“Good luck today!” she called out while rushing past Karen’s desk. “Bye, Karen!”
“Bye, Melanie!” Karen called out. A huge smile was on her face when she turned to me.
“Next time, a heads up it’s Mom, will ya?”
She threw me a snarky grin and sat back down.
“You ready to go?” I asked a very nervous-looking Harley.
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“Let me grab my jacket and briefcase and then we’ll head over to the courthouse.”
After rushing into my office, I headed back to the lobby where I found Mallory talking to Harley.
