Page 44 of Love Finds Home

“How are we supposed to pay for all of this?” she asks, worry clear in her voice. Her family has money, but she’s never relied on them for it. She lives a modest life on a teacher’s salary. I might have money, but my parents made damn sure we understood how lucky we were and we were taught to work for what we have.

“I’m paying, and there’s no use arguing with me. This is my gift.”

“You know they aren’t going to let you do that, right?”

“I don’t really care.”

She laughs. “You know we don’t like you for your money, right?”

“I do know that, and I appreciate it, but that doesn’t mean that sometimes I can’t throw my money around and make things happen. Like dressing my two friends in a white dress for their wedding.”

“You’re crazy, but I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now let’s make this happen.”

I call one of my favorite boutiques on the outskirts of Baltimore and make an appointment for the six of us. I’m sure the moms will want to look at dresses, too. My mother never misses an opportunity to add a pretty dress to her closet. Then I call Jorge to tell him what’s going on and make sure everything is set for my friends to attend the party on Friday night at the gallery.

We’ve all piled into my Jeep and are on our way to Baltimore, the girls excitedly asking me about this benefit I lied to themabout. Only Ginny and myself know about the moms joining us. To gather some intel, I ask questions related to fashion.

“What’s everyone’s favorite colors?”

“Gold,” Trish calls out from the passenger seat.

“Red,” Lottie adds, winking at me when I smile at her in the rearview mirror. I roll my eyes at her, knowing damn good and well that before Tiny requested her to wear red, her favorite color was green.

“Purple,” Ginny adds. “What’s yours?”

“Brown,” I answer without thinking. “But also blue!” I’m quick to add.

“What kind of brown?” Lottie asks, a confused look on her face.

“Whiskey brown with honey tones.”

Everyone sits with that as I drive down the highway. They don’t have to know it’s the color of Ranger’s eyes. And I don’t plan on telling them.

“I think I like that color, too.” Ginny smiles.

Keith has green eyes, so I know she’s not thinking about him, but if I recall, Joker also has brown eyes. Interesting.

“Are you ever going to tell us what happened at the cookout?” Lottie asks. “Because I know your excuse that night was bullshit. Does it involve that guy that you still haven’t told us about?”

“She told me,” Ginny informs them.

“When? Where?” Trish asks.

“It was alcohol induced,” I defend myself.

“Lots of alcohol,” Ginny agrees.

“And I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth when there’s alcohol involved.”

“That’s good to know for future reference, Elle,” Trish laughs.

“Ha-ha, I know and you don’t,” Ginny taunts.

“And look at that, we have a two-hour car ride to get it out of you.” Lottie innocently looks at me in the mirror. “Start talking.”

“Why should I?”

---