Page 21 of Mending Fences
CHAPTER TWELVE
Mandy called Candace into the bedroom. “Which of these outfits do you think I should wear tonight?”
“Going out?” Candace rubbed a towel over her bald head. “Who is the lucky guy? Please, not the handsy coach.”
“Definitely not him.” Mandy held up a yellow silk blouse.
“Then who?”
“Daniel.”
Candace let out a little scream. “When did he ask you?”
“Tuesday night.”
Candace pulled a blue skirt out of Mandy’s hand. “Whoa, you got asked out by one of the most eligible bachelors in the world and you didn’t tell me? For three whole days? I thought we were friends! And I even did your laundry.” She tossed the skirt on the bed and turned to leave.
Mandy caught the sleeve of Candace’s robe. “Which is why I have clean choices, thank you. Even if you won’t tell me what he wrote.”
“Tell me more about this date or I’ll go erase it.” The green T Candace picked up was quickly discarded.
“I thought it was a joke, but he texted this morning from London and said he would be here at six thirty. And I’ve got nothing to wear!”
“And only a half hour. Girl, what were you thinking?” Candace dug through the pile on the bed and pulled out a floral miniskirt.
“Too short. I’ll end up tugging on it all evening.”
“But your legs are fantastic! Even with the boot.”
“That is not the type of message I want to send. We are old friends, remember?” Mandy tossed the skirt aside and pulled out a long black one.
“Old friends, not old lady.” Candace studied the remaining clothes in the closet before reaching to the back and pulling out a thrift-store find from last year.
“You have never worn this one.” She held out the vintage pink-and-white ’50s dress complete with netted slip.
“But it’s pink.” Mandy picked back up the yellow blouse.
“Aren’t you the one who told me that according to color theory, pink is the color that makes guys feel most comfortable and therefore attracted to the female wearing it?”
“Yes, which is why I shouldn’t wear it.”
“That is exactly why you should. Hurry up. We have enough time to do your hair something à la Debbie Reynolds.” Candace reached for Mandy’s long ponytail.
“But I haven’t showered!”
“You did this morning. Use face wipes. Hurry! I have a masterpiece to create.”
Mandy hopped into the bathroom as Candace brought up a search for Debbie Reynolds. “Don’t get your hair wet!”
Fifteen minutes later, Candace was forcing yet another bobby pin into Mandy’s hair. Mandy’s cell phone rang, interrupting them. Daniel’s number flashed across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Amanda, I’m sorry about this, but my flight got grounded due to the storm. I’m stuck in Minneapolis. Can we take a rain check?”
“Sure.” Mandy started pulling out the bobby pins.
“Would tomorrow work for an early dinner, around four? I need to get back to Chicago that night.”
