Page 72 of Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date

Daphne hadn’t even been able to work through half a dozen lines of her spreadsheet before Eileen Yarrow appeared in the interview room doorway. The older woman had thrown a curious look around the room, then turned her bright eyes to Daphne.

“I hope you don’t think a rolled ankle will get you out of the dance,” she said by way of greeting, shifting the garment bag she held slung over one arm onto the other. “I heard you should be good to go within a week or so.”

“Mrs. Yarrow,” Daphne replied, blinking. “Good morning.”

“Same to you,” Eileen said, then lifted the garment bag. “Ready to try on your dress?”

Daphne blinked, then jerked back. “My dress?”

How, ten minutes later, Daphne found herself locked in the staff bathroom wearing a horrific eighties prom dress, she wasn’t sure. Eileen had been insistent, and Daphne’s protests went unheard. Eileen had a vision, she said. She wanted all the dancers, including her son’s date, to look the part.

What part?was the question.

Daphne ran her hand down the iridescent-pink fabric that poofed out at the hips and fell in ruffly tiers to her midcalf. A sweetheart neckline was capped with the most gigantic puff sleeves Daphne had ever seen. On her left hip, a big floppy bow announced the beginning of the tiered portion of the skirt, as if anyone could miss it.

On the bathroom counter waited a sparkly pink tiara.

She looked like a little girl pretending to be Barbie for Halloween. Or an amateur ballroom dancer who’d accidentally stumbled into the wrong DeLorean.

She jumped when someone rapped on the door. “So?” Eileen called out. “Does it fit?”

“Um,” Daphne replied, eyes glued on the reflection in the mirror. “Define ‘fit.’”

“Come out. If we need to make alterations, I need to know now. We haven’t got much time.”

“Yeah, come out!” Shirley said. “Eileen has always had great taste.”

Daphne glared at the door. There was a low hum of conversation outside the bathroom, and Daphne could only imagine the audience she’d have when she stepped out. Cops were the worst gossips, and today had been slow. They were desperate for entertainment.

Sighing, Daphne limped to the door. She was doing this for her grandmother. If she had to embarrass herself in front of a few people, who cared? This would all be worth it when she got her grandmother’s heirloom pot back. Besides, it wasn’t like she and Flint were actually dating. She could play along with this ridiculous outfit if it got her into the party.

Shoulders squared, Daphne flung open the door.

Only to see the sheriff walking across the office toward her, his mother beckoning with a hopeful smile on her lips. The group of deputies waiting by the bathroom door went deathly silent. Calvin’s steps stuttered, his brows slamming down.

“Perfect,” Eileen crooned when she saw the dress. “You look amazing, Daphne.”

“You sure do,” Shirley added, fingers doing a terrible job of covering her twitching lips. “I think I might have worn something similar to my homecoming dance.”

“It’s very ...” Teri frowned as she took in the sheer volume of fabric. “Much,” she finished.

“‘It’s very much’?” Daphne repeated, planting her hands on her hips.

“That it is,” another deputy said.

She turned to face Flint, who had recovered from his stumble and approached the group. His frown was still firmly in place, his eyes slitted as they swept down Daphne’s body and back up again. Turning to his mother, he asked, “Is this a joke?”

Eileen reared back. “Excuse me?”

“Is this a joke, Mother?”

“A joke! Why would I joke about my vow renewal? You know how much I care about this event. We’ve done fittings for all the other dancers. Ceecee loves her dress! She and Kathy helped me pick them out. Kathy said the flounces would look great when everyone twirls, and Ceecee picked the color. I told you we were doing hot pink, didn’t I?”

His jaw worked, and he turned back to Daphne. “Would you have made Jenna Deacon wear this thing?”

“What kind of question is that?” Eileen said. “Calvin, this is for aperformance. Kathy insisted we go for volume, especially for the big feather reveal.”

“It definitely has volume,” Shirley offered, fluffing the bottom hem.

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