Page 43 of Just Like Home

“Who’s going to do that this year?” another woman asked.

All eyes returned to Charlotte. She stuttered, then finally said, “I’ll talk to him, but if he doesn’t want to participate, then we’ll do other things to celebrate Jules. Like I said, it’ll look a little different this year.”

“We really should try to keep them involved,” the first woman said. “People look forward to it every season.”

“I’m sure they’ll understand if Connor isn’t up for it this time,” Lucy said. She looked at Charlotte. “I think I can get a group of Julianna’s friends to participate.” She looked at Quinn. “Right?”

Quinn frowned. “You want me to dance? I thought we were here to help with the set.”

Lucy shrugged. “You can pull double duty.”

The group began to chatter for a few minutes, throwing around ideas of people who might want to join them in this tribute. So far, the list consisted mostly of people Charlotte didn’t know. In fact, the only names she’d recognized were Steve and Hildy from Haven House.

“What about asking the football team to do something?” one of the women suggested. “I’m Patricia Dunbar,” she said with a pointed look at Charlotte. “My son plays on the team, and they were state champions last year.”

Charlotte froze. They were a single degree away from discussing the one person whose name she didn’t want brought up at this meeting. The last thing she needed was for Cole or his team to show up in the dance studio.

“Maybe?” Charlotte’s voice sounded unsure. Already it was happening—she was losing her nerve just thinking about—

“What about Cole Turner?” The traitorous suggestion had come from Lucy.

Lucy caught her eye and winked. What was she up to? Cole would kill her if he knew she’d thrown his name in the mix.

“I don’t see that happening,” Charlotte said.

“You don’t think he’d do it for his sister?” Lucy asked, scanning the circle with her eyes. “I know the point isn’t to fill the seats, but if we could tell people Coach Turner was going to dance, it would definitely draw a crowd.”

“Lucy’s right,” Patricia said. “State-winning football coach, big, strong man. Julianna’s brother. It’s a brilliant idea.” She glanced at Brinley. “You should write it down.”

“Coach Turner isn’t going to go for that,” Brinley said.

Lucy grinned. “Let’s have Charlotte ask him.”

“Me?” Charlotte knew her eyes showed her surprise, but did they also show thesheer panicshe felt at that suggestion?

“You’re Julianna’s friend,” Lucy said. “And a dancer. You did say you’d do whatever you could to help.” Her innocent smile was anything but.

“I think you’re forgetting that Cole doesn’t actually like me,” Charlotte mumbled.

Lucy shrugged. “What’s the worst that can happen? He says no. No big deal. We should at least extend the invitation.”

She made it sound so easy.

“It’s a great idea,” Patricia said, as if it were settled. As if she were in charge. “Charlotte will talk to Coach Turner about his involvement as well as the team’s. Maybe you could also connect with Steve and Hildy? And you said you’ll talk to Connor?”

“I mentioned it to him already.”

All eyes were on her.

“I’ll follow up.”

“Perfect.” Patricia smiled, oblivious to the fireworks going off inside Charlotte’s head.

“And of course, you’ll perform too, Charlotte,” Mrs. Trembley said—less of a suggestion, more of a question.

“Of course she will,” Lucy said with a grin.

Charlotte started to respond but realized the rest of the room had moved on to a new topic—the set design.

---