Susan Mallery - Before We Kiss

“Excellent advice.”

“Thank you.”

“Not that she’ll listen.”

“I got that.”

* * *

DELLINA ARRIVED AT Jo’s a few minutes before she was scheduled to meet her friends. As she walked into the bar, she saw Taryn and Larissa were already at a big table, along with Consuelo Ly. Taryn, as usual, wore something fabulous. This time a gray plaid sleeveless dress with a slim belt of the same material and some kind of foldy-draping across the front. The style was deceptively simple, but Dellina had a feeling the designer was a name everyone knew and that the dress had cost more than a vacation to Hawaii.

By contrast Larissa was in apple-green capris with a matching polka-dot T-shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and Dellina was sure she hadn’t bothered with makeup that morning.

Consuelo defied all fashion convention in her work uniform of cargo pants and a khaki-colored tank. All she needed was a bit of camouflage paint on her face to look like she’d stepped out of an action movie.

From Dellina’s point of view, they were all versions of exotic. Taryn with her upscale taste and glossy beauty. Larissa was the classic blonde bombshell with an athletic twist, while Consuelo was both stunning and powerful—combined in a petite package. By comparison, Dellina felt average. She had brown hair and brown eyes. She was sort of pretty, but nothing like them. She guessed she looked like what she was—a small-town girl. In a word—boring.

For the most part she was content with that, but every now and then she wondered what it would be like to be glamorous and sexy.

“Hi,” she said as she approached the table. She set down the ceramic container she held. “I hope this is what you were thinking of. Rakisha from Plants for the Planet swears it’s going to last.”

Taryn and Consuelo both stared at the dish garden Dellina had picked up on her way over to lunch. They’d all agreed to get Bailey a small gift to celebrate her new job with the mayor. Larissa touched a couple of leaves.

“Nice,” she said. “There’s dracaena, spathiphyllum and syngonium. Pretty and it will last even if she’s not great with taking care of it.”

Taryn winced. “You frighten me.”

“I know about plants. Big whoop.”

“It’s one thing to recognize them. It’s another to know their Latin names.”

Dellina grinned as she took a seat. Her friends were nothing if not entertaining.

Larissa pointed to Taryn’s dress. “Who designed that?”

“Oscar de la Renta.”

Larissa turned to Consuelo. “And who made your pants?”

Consuelo glared at her. “Hell if I know. I get them at a surplus store or online. They’re pants.”

Dellina leaned back in her chair. “I wish Jo served popcorn because this is like live theater.”

Larissa grinned at her, then turned back to Taryn. “We all know stuff.”

“I got that. But my stuff makes sense. Yours is weird.” She looked at Consuelo. “I know better than to diss anything you know.”

“Good.” Consuelo started to say something else, then looked up. “Bailey’s here.”

They all rose and clapped as Bailey approached the table. The other woman blushed nearly as red as her hair as she drew near.

“Stop, please,” she pleaded. “You don’t have to make a fuss.”

“We’re making a fuss,” Taryn told her. “You got a great new job. A fuss is required.”

They all hugged Bailey, then took their seats. Bailey thanked them for the plant. Jo walked over and stopped at their table.

“Congratulations on the new job,” she said. “Lunch is on the house.” She paused. “For Bailey. The rest of you can still pay.”

“Of course we can,” Taryn said with a grin. “All right. I think this calls for champagne all around.”

Bailey’s mouth parted. “It’s lunchtime.”

“I know,” Taryn told her. “That’s the point. A single glass won’t hurt your work performance. This is a big deal. We’re all happy for you.”

“I like how you roll,” Dellina said.

“You’ll like her even more when I tell you she called ahead, so my best bottle is already chilled,” Jo said. “Back in a flash.”

“Champagne at lunch,” Bailey whispered. “I haven’t had any champagne since my wedding. Thank you all. You’ve been so nice to me.”

Consuelo waved away the praise. “Yeah, yeah, we’re amazing. How’s the new job?”

Bailey started talking about how much she had to learn, not only about working with Mayor Marsha but about the town government.

Dellina was more interested in the women at the table. For all Taryn’s toughness and attitude, she’d been the one to preorder champagne. And while Consuelo couldn’t handle a simple compliment or a thank-you, she would cheerfully strangle anyone who tried to hurt Bailey or her daughter. Larissa was the one Dellina knew the least, but from what she could tell, the other woman was caring and had no trouble poking fun at Taryn. A fun combination.

Jo returned with the champagne. She expertly popped the cork, then poured them each a glass.

“To new beginnings,” Taryn said to Bailey. “May you always be happy.”

Everyone joined in the toast, then they sipped. Dellina took a drink. The champagne was light and fizzy. She glanced at the bottle and saw the label read Dom Pérignon. Which was so Taryn, she thought with a grin. Well, everyone should have it at least once in their life!

She set down her glass. “Did you know Mayor Marsha had a dog?” she asked Bailey.

“No. She’s never said anything. Why?”

“She left her dog with Fayrene. I remember somebody mentioning a trip.”

“Me, too,” Taryn said. “Then everyone freaked out, as if Mayor Marsha wasn’t allowed to travel. Can’t the woman take a vacation without causing a scandal?”

“I think it’s because Mayor Marsha doesn’t go away much,” Dellina said. “I don’t remember it ever happening when I was growing up, although she must have left town sometime.”

“Where’s she going?” Larissa asked.

“New Zealand.”

“That’s far,” Dellina said, wondering how long the flight had to be. Twelve hours? Longer? “What’s there?”

“The Lord of the Rings tour,” Taryn said with a grin. “Maybe our mayor is a fan.”

“The what?” Consuelo asked. “Because of the book?”

Larissa patted her arm. “The movie. Remember from a few years back? It was a big deal. They filmed it there and I guess they left the sets in place. You can tour it all. See the hobbit village.”

Consuelo shook her head. “No way our mayor is going all the way to New Zealand to look at a bunch of fake hobbit houses. Maybe she’s going to watch Kipling Gilmore ski.”

Dellina stared at her. “You know where he’s skiing right now?”

Consuelo lifted a shoulder. “I read it in Sports Illustrated the other day. He’s there for summer skiing. Which they don’t call it there, because it’s their winter.”

“Someone has a bit of a crush,” Dellina murmured.

Consuelo’s lips twitched. “I like watching him. You were looking, too, during the Olympics.”

“I have to say I’m more comfortable with the idea of our mayor being a ski groupie than looking at hobbit houses on her vacation,” Taryn announced. “Which is, on the surface, kind of strange. I’m going to have to think on that.” She turned to Dellina. “Speaking of fun things like vacations and handsome men, are you torturing Sam about the party?”

Dellina laughed. “Which category does that question fall into?” She held up her hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. For the record, I’m only working with him. There’s no torture. It’s all very professional.”

A little too professional, Dellina thought. Because he was one good-looking guy. Nice, too. Quiet, but she liked that about him. Flashy didn’t suit her—not that Sam was making any offers.