Page 114 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

“That’s all there is!” Kelsey calls over the music. “You better not just stand there.”

I catch up at the elbow flap and keep going.

Kelsey’s face is bright with laughter. “You’re doing it!”

The next phase seems to be walking around the room, locking elbows with people. I meander, doing the motions, then it’s time to be a chicken again.

“I think I like it now!” Kelsey shouts. “It’s more fun with you!”

Itispretty silly. We make another round of the floor, and a few people say hello to Kelsey and mention Randy.

This brings on the glow. It’s that belonging. She’s been looking for it, ever since losing her mom and having her family scatter. She has no living grandmothers. No female family to speak of anywhere.

Here, she’s got it. Role models in spades. A community.

I’ll flirt with old ladies for her. And I’ll dance like a chicken.

But I won’t be the person who ever takes it away.

I will be happy for her.

Iwill.

Chapter 37

KELSEY AND THEQUEEN OFGLASS

The final event of the tree farm’s summer Christmas is the tea.

I wake up to the downstairs buzzing with voices. Right, we were warned when we checked in that this would be a busy day. We agreed to it.

The bathroom is in the hall, and I wish I’d known what time people would start arriving so I could have been ready ahead of them. I’m deathly afraid of Randy’s mom or sister or any of the women I’ve met spotting me looking like something the cat dragged in.

Once I get across the hall, I better not leave the bathroom until I’m summer fresh.

I gather the nicest dress I brought on the trip, a silvery sheath that is the closest to my Hollywood style. It was one of my very best finds at a sample sale, and is worth several thousand dollars.

But its elegance is in its simplicity. I feel certain that half the women coming to the tea will think they could have sewn something like it themselves.

I pick up my hair supplies and cosmetic bag and ease the door open.

When I peer into the hall, I spot Zachery’s shaggy head also leaning out of his room. He sees me, and we both laugh.

“I guess the tea brigade has landed,” he says.

“And so early. It’s seven a.m. and the tea isn’t until lunchtime!”

He shakes his head. “I’ll keep myself scarce.”

I sneak across the hall, dashing to the bathroom when I hear a voice that might be someone coming up the stairs. I’m literally panting as I lock the door.

This is wild. I’ve gone to Hollywood parties and walked straight up to famous directors, A-list actors, and all variety of intimidating people.

But this Christmas tea has got me sweating.

Grandmama will be there, for one thing. It’ll be the first time we meet. Her approval is apparently essential. Two of the girls Jack dated got the boot based on her opinion.

According to Gina, Randy has never introduced anyone to her. But Grandmama has been giving him hell that she’s going to die before he gets a wife, so he asked me last night, during our one slow dance, if I’d be up for meeting her even though we haven’t known each other long.

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