Page 7 of Never Always
Clover looks sad. “I don’t think he realizes that it’s not going to be the same when he gets back, you know? The world keeps moving even though he’s traveling on another axis at the moment. There’s a bunch of new guys. The training trips are coming up and I’m sure Grange wants in on those. He should have known better. He was foolish to get in that fight.” Clover is of the same mind as I am.
I can’t help the curiosity. “How bad was it?” I swallow hard, trying to do what the makeup artist says. My eyes closed, I hope Clover continues speaking. “What happened?”
I hear the light indie music playing softly in the background and what I assume is a dustpan hit the floor. The feather-light sweep of the eyeshadow brush passes over my eyelid.
Clover can’t resist. “Sierra walked in on him with another woman, on top of him, bouncing up and down.” She whispers the words like the scandal it is. I’m sure I blush, but she goes on. “Story has it, he went chasing after Sierra buck naked when he saw her and blustered down the hallway of the woman’s apartment complex. Sierra and the other woman used to be friends, I guess. Some friend she ended up being!” I crack one eye when I feel her move to work the eyeshadow over my other eye. Clover is tapping her foot, looking out the window. “It makes me so mad. They were about to get married! What was he thinking, you know?” She presses her perfectly glossed lips together. “Sierra broke up with him on the spot. Buck naked in the hallway. Threw the engagement ring at his bare chest and left him like a hot potato.”
My eyes widen in disbelief. A little because I can’t imagine what Grange looks like naked and a lot because the scene is hard to fathom. “No,” I mouth.
Clover nods. “Sierra started dating someone new really quick after, and well, Grange didn’t take well to the news at all. Started drinking a lot. Something he quit because Sierra made him. He has a problem, you know? Then he beat up her boyfriend at the bar.” She starts sweeping again, shaking her head.
“He definitely still has an anger problem,” I admit, thinking about practically every word that he’s spoken to me.
Her head whips up. “Did he do anything to you? I wouldn’t guess that he’d hurt you, but I don’t know what he’s capable of anymore.” Clover moves toward me as the makeup artist tells me to relax my eyelids.
I concentrate to close them softly. “No, no. It’s strange. One second it’s like he rues the day I was born, and in the next, he’s apologizing and wanting to be nice. Offering me dating advice. He’s got some inner wars brewing, for sure.” I’d never admit I’m fishing because Clover might know how to read his actions when I can’t.
“I’m going to have Mercer call him,” Clover finally says.
“He doesn’t have any family, so he really is alone. It makes me mad talking about it. Let’s talk about how beautiful you look instead.”
I open my eyes on command and peek at myself as she swishes blush on my cheekbones.No family?That’s rough. I’m glad she told me, so I didn’t bring it up and face more wrath.
“I do declare, ladies. You have outdone yourself. This is about as good as I’ve ever looked, I’d reckon.”
Clover looks jubilant as she takes me in. I can’t help it. Her happiness is infectious, and I burst out laughing.
“Don’t take dating advice from Grange. Take it from me. I’m going to set you up with someone tonight,” she says, patting her hair while winking at her talented makeup artist.
Terrified doesn’t cover it. Thinking about being set up makes my heart slide up to my neck and my stomach flip. Looking at myself, like this, I realize is my best chance for a date. Something to parade in my family’s faces to prove how well balanced and worthy I am.
“Okay,” I stutter. “There is a guy I work with,” I add, trying to keep my voice steady. “Grey Morgan. He’s a research scientist, real smart guy. Tall, too.”Tall? Ugh. I’m so bad at this.
Clover tosses her hands on her hips and presses her lips into a satisfied smirk. “Say no more. I have this.” When she makes a statement like that, I believe it. Clover and Sue-Ellen are the same age and they were the best of frenemies. They were each other’s biggest competition in the pageant circle. If Clover had a new gown made at a store in the city, Sue-Ellen was begging Daddy at the dinner table to have one made at the very same store. I escaped Clover’s beautiful, competitive wrath because I was never a threat, I’m still not. The irony that we both ended up in Cape Cod after growing up in Greenton, Alabama, is pretty significant. Even more unbelievable is that she ended up marrying a SEAL, Mercer Ballentine, who also grew up in our hometown.
I thank the women profusely as I walk toward the entrance of the salon where the boutique section is. Clover and I chat a bit about the party and how excited she is to have everyone together while I scour the racks of dresses and blouses that would look extremely out of place in my second-hand, super casual closet.
“This,” Clover says, thrusting a green, one-shouldered dress at my chest, hanger and all. The material feels soft against my hand. “It’s your size, and that is one-hundred percent your color, and it will look stunning against your skin.” Blushing again, because I don’t remember how long it’s been since someone has complimented me this much, I examine the frock. It doesn’t look too tight, or too short. “Trust me, Tennyson. Wear this dress, on the house, and be at my place by six.”
“At least let me pay you,” I say, peeking at the price tag. Just because I choose not to buy new clothes doesn’t mean I can’t afford them. It’s a conscious choice.
Clover shakes her head, blonde hair bouncing. “Don’t even offend me right now. We’re friends, now, darlin’ and the dress is a gift.” I nod. Good Southern manners dictate that one must always accept a gift graciously. She has a ton of money—trust fund, oil money that’s been passed down for generations. You’d never know it, though. She’s as humble and kind as apple pie.
“I appreciate it so much. It’s beautiful. I’ll see you tonight.” I pay for my hair and makeup services with a card as I tell Clover about work and the upcoming visit from my family.
She sighs. “I wish you would have called me sooner. I’m here for you, okay? In any way you need me. My door is always open.” She goes in for a hug, and I embrace her awkwardly back. Human contact. Not an everyday occurrence. “Grey will be at my house tonight.” She winks.
“Thank you so much. For everything,” I return, holding up the dress, now in a plastic garment bag.And for telling me about Grange,I think.
I feel different when I step outside onto the sidewalk—full of confidence and newly embedded purpose. Walking toward my car, I pull out my cell phone and send a text to Grange.
I’m meeting Grey at Clover’s party tonight. Any sage wisdom to impart?
He starts texting back right away, and I watch the grey bubbles as I slide into my car and start it.Be someone else completely.
Jerk.I send back.
Grange sends,I’m sorry. Just tell him you want to get to know him outside of work. Keep it simple. What time is the party?
