Page 27 of Patio Lanterns

“Sure.” Rick shrugged. A few of the neighbours had started maintaining that yard after Micki Pelletier’s husband died suddenly a few years back. When Rick heard that she had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, he volunteered his services too.

“Then you already know that Mrs. Pelletier passed away last year.”

He nodded. “So sad. I didn’t get to know her well, but she was a nice lady,” Rick said. “And I remember hearing how fond she was of you.”

“Mrs. Pelletier always made me feel welcome, like one of the family,” Aidan said softly. “My friend Lark is at the cottage to spread her mother’s ashes.”

“Lark? Seems to me that you two used to be pretty close, weren’t you?”

“We still are,” Aidan said with a smile. “Which is why she invited us to dinner.”

“That was nice of her. But I don’t want to be a third wheel. You two probably have a lot to catch up on.”

“Lark insisted you come. Plus, it’ll finally be a chance for you to meet my oldest and dearest friend.” Aidan rose to his feet. “So, dinner’s at seven. You in?”

Guess it was settled. Rick nodded. “I’ll bring wine.”

11

Robin

Dove rummaged through her bag for the right accessories to match the outfit Robin had on: a stretchy black tank top and a floral maxi-skirt that probably wasn’t designed to be floor length, but she still managed to make it look cute.

“Is it just me, or is Lark trying to play matchmaker?” Robin asked.

“Without a doubt. Tonight is a setup.” Dove handed her a pair of gold hoop earrings.

“I don’t get it,” Robin said, poking the metal posts into her ear lobes. “Why now?”

Dove shrugged. “Maybe after all these years, she realizes you and Aidan would be a good fit. I mean, why not? You used to be crazy about him. It’s got to at least pique your curiosity.”

“A little,” she admitted, recalling how the figure she thought was Naked Aidan Hunter nearly caused her curiosity to peak right there out on the dock. “But I have a hunch I’ve been permanently sister-of-a-friend-zoned.”

“Who knows?” Dove shrugged. “Think he remembers the letter?”

Robin cringed. “Please, please don’t bring up that goddamn letter tonight. How would you like it if I made you relive one of the worst moments of your life in front of the one person who made it infinitely more humiliating?”

“Sorry, I didn’t know it was still such a trigger for you.”

“Tell you what, if I ever run into Tommy Millican, I’ll be sure to remind him about that time you got your period at school while wearing white pants and he teased you mercilessly. Then you’ll know exactly what it feels like, Shark Week.”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Dove flinched. “I won’t say a word.”

There was a sudden knock at the door. Mutt barked. Robin gasped.

Dove’s eyes widened. “He’s here.”

Lark’s voice echoed up the stairwell. “Robin, would you be a dear and get that please?”

Would I be a dear? Ugh. Robin hated it when Lark misdirected mommyisms her way. She quickly grabbed fistfuls of her wavy hair to crimp her curls before Dove tossed her a tube of lip gloss. She swiped her lips quickly, then smacked them together. “Well?”

Dove nodded. “You look great. Go, go.”

Robin lifted the hem of the long skirt, clearing her ankles while she descended so she didn’t trip. Now wouldn’t that make a grand entrance? It wasn’t until she reached the bottom, rushed through the cottage, and pushed open the screen door that she nearly toppled over.

Aidan Fucking Hunter.

He waited with one foot planted on the second step, the other confidently claiming the third. Behind cool aviator shades, he flashed the same charming grin that had always turned her insides to goo.

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