Page 19 of This Loving Feeling (Mirror Lake)

“Isn’t he, like, ninety?” Jess said exactly what Sam was thinking, but Sam shot her a poignant look that signaledsenior alertuntil she got the hint. “I mean, um, not that there’s anything wrong with being ninety or anything, but—”

“He’s not ninety. May I remind you, young lady,” Alethea said, “Tony Bennett did that CD with Lady Gaga, who positively worships him. Age has nothing to do with talent.”

In this case, it definitely did. Victor was a one-hit wonder from the seventies who never turned down an opportunity to perform.

Sam pinched her nose. “Okay, I’ll ask.”

“Bravo!” Alethea said.

“Brilliant!” Gloria chimed in.

“Okay. Are there any other orders of business?”

Jess slid another folder in front of Sam. “We have one homeowner who bought a lakefront bungalow. The architectural review committee vetoed his addition because it violates the roofline restrictions. It’s your turn to deliver the bad news.”

Every month, the committee reviewed the plans of all the new builds and remodels on the hundred-year-old-plus houses around the lake and turned in the violations to the Historical Society. They were all committed to preserving the historic community, and the guidelines on remodeling were strict.

“Here’s the file, the address, and the contact information.”

The table suddenly became very quiet. Sam looked around. Alethea was drinking coffee, Effie was drumming her fingers on the table, and Gloria was humming “God Save the Queen.”

“What is it?” Sam asked. No answer. She looked down at the file. Lukas’s name was printed on the little tab.

“You all are out for blood today, aren’t you?” Sam said. “I’m not doing it.”

“But you’re on this month,” Alethea said.

“Trade me. Please.” She stared at Jess, her ex-former-way-in-the-past best friend.

“I’ve got a date this afternoon. Sorry.”

Sam eyeballed the three other women, who suddenly got very busy rummaging through their purses for tips. “Ladies? Please.” She didn’t want to beg, but she was desperate. After the lip-lock photo, there was no way in hell she wanted another run-in with Lukas. Especially alone.

“Just do your job, Samantha, dear,” Effie said in her pragmatic tone.

“My doctor says I should avoid uneven surfaces in construction areas because of my bunions,” Alethea said.

“I’m terribly sorry, dear,” Gloria said, “but there’s aDownton Abbeymarathon on TV this afternoon and Maurice and I have invited friends over to watch with us.”

“Fine.” How hard could it be? Knock on the door, explain the violations, and tell the rock star he’s got thirty days to comply or he’s in big trouble.

Too bad she had the sinking feeling thatshewas the one in big trouble.

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