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“It’s fine.” Steven chuckled. “A young guy like you needs something more than small-town living. I get it.”
“And you have your fiancée,” Michael said, shaking his head. “If I had someone to settle down with, I might feel differently.”
“None of the women in your class caught your eye?”
“Nah. I didn’t have time for dating while in school, and the last few months, I’ve been studying for the bar.” He raised an eyebrow. “Does Cedar Haven have any nightlife?”
“There’s Seabreeze.” Steven grimaced. “Though it’s kind of a dive bar.”
“Better than nothing, I suppose.”
An idea formed in Steven’s head. “If you’re looking for a slightly younger crowd, my sister is going out with some of her friends tonight, and several of them are single. If you don’t have any plans this evening, maybe you could join them.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.” Michael frowned.
“Doesn’t hurt to ask her.” Steven texted Lanie. If anyone could show him what Cedar Haven had to offer, it was her.
A moment later, he received a response. “Is it all right if I give her your number? Then she can add you to the group chat.”
“Sure. Why not?” Michael grinned. “Can’t hurt, right?”
Chapter Fourteen
“Come on, Rose,” Lanie pleaded as she leaned against Rose’s kitchen counter. “Come with us tonight. Steven’s probably going to bed early. There’s no sense going over there to play nursemaid.”
Rose bristled at the implication she was playing at caring for her fiancé. Her skills were worth more than babysitting or handling his medications, no matter what her future sister-in-law might have thought. Lanie had stopped by to go over some wedding details, but her true purpose appeared to be convincing Rose to go out that night. Crossing her arms, she leveled Lanie with a glare.
“Oh, don’t give me that look,” Lanie said. “I didn’t mean anything negative by that. I’m just saying Steven is doing better. Besides, he’s got the home care aides coming by to help him as well.” She flipped her blond hair over her shoulder. “Stop searching for an excuse to hide, and allow yourself to have a little fun.”
“I have fun,” Rose protested. Though she couldn’t help finding the situation a little ironic. Just a few months ago, she had been the one trying to convince Lanie to go out. How the tides had turned.
Lanie raised an eyebrow, seeming to read her mind. “Yeah? And when was the last time you went out on the town?”
“Probably for the Memorial Day parade,” Rose admitted as she rinsed off the last plate and put it in the drying rack.
“Exactly.” Lanie smirked. “So, find something hot to wear and be ready in twenty.” Without waiting for a response, Lanie spun on her heel and rushed out the front door.
Rose considered bolting it, but she suspected Lanie wouldn’t give up that easily. In truth, Rose probably deserved that treatment since she’d done the same thing when Lanie had wanted to wallow. What’s that saying? Turnabout’s fair play or… something? With a resigned sigh, she flung open her closet to find something to wear.
Flipping through her clothes, she settled on a yellow sundress. The humidity had been ramping up in the last several days, and she could only hope for a thunderstorm to bring them some relief.
Once dressed, she applied her makeup, keeping it light. No sense in going overboard when she was likely to sweat it all off anyway. She brushed her hair back and twisted it against her head before securing it with two sticks.
A moment later, Lanie banged on the front door, and Rose rolled her eyes at her reflection. But she hurried to answer the door before Lanie broke it down. Her neighbors wouldn’t appreciate that, not to mention her landlord. As much as she loved her condo, there were advantages to going forward with the wedding and moving in with Steven. The single-family home provided more space and privacy than her current accommodations. And it had plenty of room for a growing family.
When Rose wrenched open the door, Lanie’s eyes drifted down her body. Playing along, Rose struck a pose. Though she wasn’t in the mood to go out, she could fake it with the best of them.
“You look perfect.” Lanie grabbed her hand. “Now, let’s go!”
Rose allowed herself to be led to Lanie’s car. Well, really, the car she’d inherited from her mother. Nate sat in the passenger seat, and he gave Rose a big smile as she approached.
“You got roped into this too?” Rose asked as she slid into the backseat.
“Lanie’s very persuasive,” Nate replied.
“Hey, now.” Lanie climbed into the driver’s seat and glared at Rose in the rearview mirror. “Don’t act like I’m some awful bully. I’m just making sure everyone I love has a good time.”
“And we appreciate you for it.” Nate rested his hand on her knee and gave it a squeeze.
