Page 41 of Sweet Surprises

“What was that about?” Charlotte asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Allie said. “Believe me.”

“It wasn’t nothing,” Charlotte said.

“Well, I’m pretty sure there’s a bet going that I’m going to hook you up with one of my brothers,” Allie said. “But that will never happen. You’re taking a break, and besides, you’re too good for most of them.”

“Most of them?” Charlotte asked.

“Well, the one who’s going to chase you is Tripp,” Allie said. “And you’re too good for him. He’s got some growing up to do.”

“Wow,” Charlotte said.

“Zane could really use a woman in his life,” Allie went on. “But he’s not ready for that. I don’t know if he ever will be.”

Charlotte wondered why. She didn’t even know he was single until now, although she hadn’t been able to help noticing that the twins’ mom never seemed to be around.

“West is too wrapped up in his practice to notice anything going on,” Allie went on. “And Cash is the only one of us who actually left home, so he can’t be in hot pursuit of anyone back here.”

“Wow,” Charlotte said, impressed all over again at Allie’s big family.

She couldn’t help noticing that Allie hadn’t brought up Tag at all.

“Besides, like I said, I want you all to myself,” Allie added with a wink. “So, are you going to tell me about your idea?”

But a waiter came over before she could, and sure enough, Allie knew him too. He placed a basket of fresh breadsticks and marinara on the table and took their drink orders, then Allie ordered them something called the Maple Mountain pizza with ajust-trust-meexpression that Charlotte couldn’t argue with.

When the waiter left their table, Charlotte decided to share a bit about what she had in mind for the shop. Allie was over the moon from the very beginning, which felt pretty good.

“Don’t tell Tag though,” she said when Charlotte was finished.

“Why not?” Charlotte asked.

“Oh, he’s such a grump that he’ll only try to poke holes in it,” Allie said dismissively. “Just do it and then show it to him. Ask forgiveness, not permission.”

“How am I going to manage that?” Charlotte asked.

“You’re taking your car back tonight,” Allie said. “So tomorrow, when he’s working on farm chores, you can just pop over to the shop, easy-peasy.”

It actually did seem kind of fun to surprise Tag. And she had Allie’s permission to get started, so it wasn’t like the family wasn’t aware. Besides, it wasn’t anything too major. If they didn’t like it, she could always put things back the way they were before.

“Okay, maybe I’ll do that,” she heard herself say.

“There’s my girl,” Allie said with a smile. “So, now that I’m already interfering in your life, can I askonemore thing?”

“Sure,” Charlotte said, dipping a breadstick in the fragrant tomato sauce.

“What are you doing about college?” Allie asked.

Charlotte put the bread down on her plate and bit her lip as she thought about how to respond.

“I know it’s probably a sore subject,” Allie said, grabbing her hand over the table. “But you have so much to offer. You should have the degree to match.”

“I didn’t have a choice about leaving,” Charlotte said, expecting the same argument her mother had given her at the time.

“I one-hundred percent agree,” Allie said.

“Really?” Charlotte asked, looking up to meet her best friend’s eyes.

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