Page 44 of Beat of Love
Lurking in hallways
Lawson’s Landing, mid-October
Brandy-Lyn leaned closer to the mirror and swapped out her gold hoops for the diamond drops.
“Third date, huh?” Preston said, folding his arms.
Olivia grinned. “Something you want to tell us, Mom?”
“It sucks that you have a boyfriend, and I don’t,” Amelia grumped.
Her eyes flicked to the reflection of her children arrayed in a row behind her. “Stas is just a friend,” she protested, catching Preston’s amused stare. “And it’s not really a date.”
Her son arched his brows. “Did he ask you out?”
The earring post clipped into place. “That’s beside the point.”
“It’s a date,” Preston asserted.
“We haven’t evenkissed.”
“Ew.” Amelia wrinkled her nose. “The idea of some guy kissing you is just weird.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t stand here and pass comments.”
“Youcalled us in to help choose an outfit,” Amelia pointed out.
Brandy blinked. She couldn’t dispute that charge. In fact, they did more than help her select a top. The girls insisted on a whole new outfit. It was one she bought in Austin on Jackie’s insistence. She waved her hands. “Now shoo. Unless you want to watch me pee.”
“Gross.” Amelia.
“Ugh.” Olivia.
“I’m outta here.” Preston.
Brandy watched them shove through the door, grumbling as they went about what movie to watch first and if they’d order tacos versus pizza for supper. Turning to the bathroom, she caught herself in the mirror.
And groaned.
Why had she let them talk her into this outfit? She was forty, for heaven’s sake, not twenty. The brown denim corset revealed too much cleavage, and the short, flirty skirt too much leg.
“Don’t change your outfit.”
Brandy’s gaze snapped to the doorway.
Amelia slouched against the frame.
“But—”
“Uh-uh, Mom. You look stunning. And you deserve a night out with a handsome and charming man.”
“You’ve never met Stas.”
“I’ve seen him hanging around school.”
“School?”
“Yeah. He’s pulled bodyguard duty for Caitlin and the boys a few times.”
