Page 63 of Playing for Keeps

“Wait, you’re moving to Tumbling Rock?” Edith asks, frowning at me. “I thought Val was becoming the VP for your father’s club.”

“He will, but the future of the Blood-Red Suns will likely run through Tumbling Rock.”

Feeling overly emotional, I don’t know what I’m looking for from the other women. They glance at each other nervously, likely wondering if I’m always so moody.

“It’ll be okay,” Tuesday assures me. “You and Val are young and starting out. What you do in the next five years doesn’t dictate where you’ll be in ten or twenty. Things change. Duke isn’t going anywhere as president, right? Well, then, you have plenty of time to try out living in both towns.”

“Is Basin Rock that much better?” Edith asks me.

“Yes.”

“It seems like any other small town.”

“It is, but there are lots of fun restaurants there. Maybe that’s the case everywhere, but I never planned to live anywhere else. So now, I feel like I’m losing something.”

“No,” Clover says and then freezes since her voice is louder than she intended. Nervous with all eyes on her, she mumbles, “I think you’re intimidated by the homestead, so you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Intimidated?” Oana asks and rubs her belly. “Yeah, I can see that.”

“Hush, child,” Tuesday hisses. “How dare you speak facts when what we need today are glorious lies?”

“The homestead is very inviting,” Edith says while Tuesday tsk-tsks Oana. “At certain times of the year, it has an almost magical allure.”

Her cousin and sister-in-law quit sassily waving their fingers in front of each other’s faces long enough to notice Edith getting emotional.

“Oh, my, God, your feelings!” Tuesday cries and nearly knocks her manicurist to the floor while hurrying to Edith’s side. Hugging the teary-eyed woman’s head into her bosom, she shushes her. “Be brave. Persevere.”

“What’s happening?” Alexis asks and glances at Oana. “What am I missing?”

“Edith has considered expanding her search for suitable dong,” Tuesday explains. “That would mean leaving the homestead.”

“I could help you find someone,” I blurt out immediately.

Edith frowns at me. “Who?”

“There are lots of single guys around Basin Rock. I can help you find a good one.”

Edith’s blue eyes study me for too long, and I suspect she’s recalling when Tuesday dated Cubby.

“Uh, no, there aren’t,” Tuesday finally says after looking for a nicer way to respond. “Not really.”

“They’re not all like Cubby,” I mutter and add with a scowl, “Besides, how awful could he be if you chose to date him?”

“I was in the mood for meaty, and Cubby’s got a beefy aura.”

Alexis gasps. “Wait, do you think Edith should date Cubby?”

“No,” Edith says and shoves off Tuesday. “I’m not enduring your sloppy seconds.”

“That’s smart,” Tuesday replies immediately. “He’s had the best, so you’re bound to look like the rest.”

Tuesday and Edith scowl hard at each other. Nearby, Alexis, Roxie, and Oana stare wide-eyed, seeming excited over a possible catfight.

Edith hisses at Tuesday, “I would never date Cubby.”

“There are other guys,” I offer, choosing to play peacemaker since my moodiness stirred up the drama. “And while maybe none of them seem perfect now, I bet a few clean up well.”

“Then why didn’t you date them?” Edith asks.

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