Page 50 of Almost True
They all shifted or took sips of their wine, some nodding, some just looking at me with compassion.
Sadie was the first to speak. “That’s a generous perspective, Maddie. You should be proud. It took me a long time to see my parents clearly but not just be angry at them once I did.”
I swallowed hard but summoned a wry smile. “Oh, don’t you worry, I work through the parental anger issues every few years.”
On cue, they all laughed lightly, and Sarah and Dahlia both agreed they’d been challenged to do the same.
“And Aidan?” Dahlia prompted.
My smile gave me away and everyone reacted with grins, claps, and of course Quinn’s “Oh thank goodness.”
“We’re going to Night in Bloom. And I think it’s an actual date, not a fake date. Plus, we had breakfast the other day, and it was basically perfect. So I think it’s not just friendly.” I’d debated that for a bit but decided there was no reason for it to be fake. I hoped like crazy it would lead to more, and yet if it didn’t, at least I’d have this one night to remember.
“Wait. Fake?” Quinn’s eyes narrowed.
Busted.Yeah, somehow, I’d been hoping to slip that one in. Granted, she and Dahlia had been there, so they could’ve seen us. A memory of Aidan’s strong arm around me visited like a corporeal touch and sent my stomach dipping.
I cleared my throat. “Uh, yeah. Pathetic as it may be, I told my mom Aidan and I have been dating to keep her from flying Chad or anyone else back out to become my next date.”
Sadie ducked her head and Sarah grimaced. Dahlia snapped and pointed, like something finally made sense. “I was wondering why you two seemed so cozy but had hoped it was actually happening.”
That familiar pinch of longing hit until I remembered itwashappening. That just maybe, the dream could continue. “Yeah, well, it kind of was, but it seemed to thaw him to the idea because then he asked me to go with him this weekend. Not as friends.”
“Yes! I knew it! I knew he’d get his head out of his butt.” Quinn clapped and seemed genuinely overjoyed, as did everyone else. They shared in the excitement, but eventually the questions about my dress and other plans died down enough that I could address the last thing.
“And Luca is adorable. He’s at such a sweet age where he’s kind of a man but not quite in that teenager way? I haven’t spent a lot of time with older kids his age, but he’s really special.” And I’d known from the minute I saw hisLord of the Ringspaperback that he’d be my kind of kid. The fact that he’d started grilling me on my company’s stock value had drilled it home.
“I love that. I mean, he’s adorable, so I’m not surprised. I swear he’s in the bookstore every time I go in there. So polite but not shy… It’s a cute combination.”
Sarah’s familiarity with Luca reminded me how precious the small-town life was. In any other life, the odds of a friend of mine knowing another friend’s child were essentially zero. Maybe if they worked in the same building or company,maybe, but ultimately the tight-knit community here in Silverton brought with it so many elements that improved quality of life.
Feelingknownwas so valuable. I loved that Luca had lots of people in his life to give him that, especially after losing one of his most important people. That thought sent a split of sadness through me for the boy, and for my friend, or… whatever he was, Aidan.
“Well, I need to request everyone’s help. I’d hoped to find a dress in Vegas but no dice.” Dahlia sighed, shoulders drooping. “I know it’s silly, and I don’t even have a date because honestly what’s the point? But I want to look good. I want to look…great.”
Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “You could totally get a date if you wanted one.”
She snorted. “Yeah, but the key there is, you have to want one.”
She appeared honest enough, but there was a glint in her yet that struck me as off. She seemed naturally quite romantic, so it hit me as unusual that she wouldn’t want her own date to an event she was hosting.
It hovered on the tip of my tongue to ask about John when Sarah beat me to it.
“You wouldn’t want to go with John Wallace? You two seem to have some crazy chemistry.”
Her expression dropped, but she burst out laughing, startling all of us. She leaned forward, her eyes shut like it almost hurt to laugh that hard, but she managed to sober quickly. “Yeah, no. Not going to happen.”
As though I could see inside their minds, I could’ve sworn each of them was thinking the same thing I was.The lady doth protest too much.And yet, who wanted to push her on it? That twinge of haunting in her eyes made me hold any further commentary on him—at least for now.
“Okay, so you need an amazing dress. Any ideas?” I asked, hoping maybe this was something I could do for her. A small thing to repay her kindness in being my friend, and in turn, a small gesture for the group too, in a way.
“Is it dumb to say something floral but not horrible?” she asked, a half-smile and wide eyes blinking at me.
We all chuckled, but in an instant, it hit me. I knew exactly what she should wear. It was a friend of a friend of a friend situation, but I thought maybe I had the perfect dress for her. “If you’ll trust me with this, I’ll have something for you by Friday night. I don’t know if I can get it here sooner, but if I can, I will. Find a backup you can live with, but… I think you’re going to love this.”
Excitement lit her eyes, and I had that feeling again.
How lucky I was, how blessed, to be sitting here with these women, receiving their trust.
