Page 31 of Pierced Pages
“Ignore her,” Melanie said. “Just tell us what all of that was about.”
Danielle grimaced. “I think I’m getting paid to be her not-a-date.”
“Let her buy you the dress. Or pants. Or whatever,” Kim said. “If you’re dealing with my family, I can see where she wants to give a thank-you gift.”
“Wait, are you two not going?”
Kim exchanged a look with Melanie. “We’ll be sending a gift.”
Danielle’s eyes widened. “It’s your own family, and you aren’t going?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“You’ll be fine,” Kim said, with a hand on Danielle’s knee. “It’s not my sister, so I don’t feel obligated like Morgan.”
“This feels like a bad idea.”
“It makes you anxious,” Melanie said. “That doesn’t make it bad.”
Danielle wasn’t sure about that. But she was sure she wanted to do this. Even if it was a bad idea.
“So I guess I’m going dress shopping tomorrow.”
Tomorrow was such short notice. It only added to her anxiety.
“Good,” Kim said. “Like Melanie said, we’ve got Lila. We can pick her up, or you can drop her off. Whatever’s easier for you.”
“Thank you both,” Danielle said. “I appreciate it.”
“You can pay us in telling us how it went and showing us what you pick out,” Melanie said.
Danielle smiled wide. “You’ve got a deal.”
Chapter 13
Morgan
Her silver sedan sat idling in the driveway while Morgan picked at her short nails. She’d have to do something with those before the wedding, or her sister would lose it. Not that Morgan’s fingernails should have anything to do with Felicia’s big day or her happiness, but Morgan could manage a manicure for her sister’s sake. Regardless of how ridiculous she thought it was.
A curtain slid across one of the front windows of the cute little yellow house, and Kim and Melanie appeared, both waving excitedly. Morgan gave a small wave back and wondered why they were so enthusiastic. Her cousin was never enthusiastic about anything except her wife. She and Morgan had both come out of that family weary and wary.
If their enthusiasm meant they thought this was anything more than it was, they were going to be sorely disappointed.
Morgan shifted her gaze from the window to the closed door she’d seen only a few times. Once for Kim and Melanie’s housewarming, then again for their bridal shower. She didn’t remember seeing Danielle at either of those, but they were both floating events, so they must have simply missed crossing paths.
The front door opened, and Danielle stepped outside wearing flowy brown linen pants with a fitted white T-shirt and brown sandals, all perfect for the early spring warmth that had hit the area that week. Her muted, sun-kissed makeup perfectly matched her tanned skin and soft features. Morgan wasn’t sure she’d ever seen a more beautiful woman in her life.
No.
Stop that.
This woman was off-limits. Morgan couldn’t see being romantically involved with her as anything other than a serious relationship, and that was not an option.
Danielle tucked her long blonde hair behind one ear as she entered the passenger side of the car. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“No problem,” Morgan said as she backed her car out of the driveway then headed out of the neighborhood. “You visit them often? I know you work with Melanie, but I didn’t realize y’all were so close.”
“Yeah, sort of.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Morgan glimpsed Danielle biting the side of her bottom lip. It was equal parts adorable and concerning. The last thing Morgan wanted was to make Danielle uncomfortable about something.
