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“Okay.” Allie watched her, uncomfortable at the thought of what she might be about to say. “Stay away from Jonas or die” came to mind.
“Just had an interesting talk with the adorable Meyer brothers.” She pulled the dress over her head.
“About...”
“You.”
“Me?” She folded her arms across her chest, feeling undressed herself. What would the three of them have to say about her?
“Oh la la. Would you look at this!” Sandra put her arms through the gathered cap sleeves and zipped up the dress, which fit as though it was made for her. She looked incredible. Jonas could not be allowed to see her like that.
“The dress is totally you.” Allie smiled approvingly, hoping Sandra would get back on topic.
“I feel like a movie star!” Sandra did a three-sixty, craning to look at the plunging vee in the back. “No wonder you’re up here all the time.”
“Yeah, it’s been amazing. There are tons more gowns, all gorgeous and most in perfect condition.”
“Fantabulous.” She spread her arms wide, curtseyed to her reflection, mimed waltzing.
Allie’s smile grew tired. “So, um, what did—”
“I’ve noticed what’s happening between you and Jonas.” Sandra stopped dancing, catching Allie’s eye in the mirror. “So has Erik.”
“Nothing is actually happening.” Allie stood stiffly, praying Sandra believed her.
The other woman turned, her gaze frank but not angry, unless she was good at hiding her feelings and would soon explode in a prima-donna rage. “You know what I mean.”
Allie bent her head, sort of a nod, sort of not. Until she could figure out Sandra’s mood, and whether there were any fire axes or old swords in her vicinity, she wouldn’t be sure how to handle this.
“The upshot of the conversation was that Erik realizes he’s being a dork. That you’re not into him and he’s stupid to hold out hope.”
Allie’s head jerked up. “He said all that?”
“Of course not.” Sandra, back at the mirror, gathered her long dark hair into a French twist and held it behind her head. “But it’s what he thinks. He just hasn’t come around to admitting it yet.”
“Oh.” Allie’s heart gave a tiny leap. Where was this going? She hardly dared guess.
“And I assume Jonas told you there is nothing going on between us but friendship. Or he might not have. He can get awkward around complicated feelings.”
Complicated feelings? For Allie or for Sandra? Allie was getting impatient. “Would you mind telling me exactly what you’re trying to say?”
“I’m saying...” Sandra lifted the dress’s hem and turned back and forth, making the material swirl around her ankles. “Let nothing stand in the way of you pursuing some very fine Jon-ass.”
Allie broke into a short laugh. “Just like that?”
“What?” Sandra turned in exasperation. “You need it in writing?”
Allie gritted her teeth. Okay, she deserved that. It probably wasn’t easy for Sandra to come up here, given her past with Jonas, and it was incredibly nice of her to step out of the way. Allie should be gracious about it. “Thank you for telling me, Sandra. If you’re sure you’ll be okay with it. And if you’re sure Erik—”
“I’ll take care of Erik.” She smiled at herself in the mirror, a small smile, almost dreamy. “By the time I am through with him, he’ll forget you ever existed.”
Allie burst out laughing, delighted when Sandra giggled along with her. “You like him?”
“That man needs to be taught a lesson. I just happen to be a very willing teacher.” She took the dress off with obvious reluctance. “Can I come up and try some other stuff on sometime?”
“Sure, of course, anytime.” She nodded too many times, liar that she was, preferring privacy. “I still have other trunks to go through.”
“Excellent.” Sandra stepped into her shorts and pulled her tank top back over her head. “Dinner will be ready around seven, but they’re pouring gin and tonics at six.”
“I can live with that.”
“Yeah, this life is not exactly a hardship.” She passed close to Allie and touched her arm. She smelled faintly of ginger and something sweeter. “Be nice to Jonas. He’s a good guy.”
Allie nodded, strangely emotional. “I promise.”
She watched Sandra descend the ladder, then hauled out her phone, adrenaline rushing. Julie needed to hear about this. They’d have to plan how this would go, how she and Jonas would get together, who’d take the lead, when, where...
