Page 71 of The Deal Maker

Duke chuckles and says, “I can understand that. What do you need me to do? I can act out anything you need me to.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Are your acting skills on par with your singing abilities?”

He takes a moment to think about that and says, “Singing is probably a level one for me. So I would say my acting skills are at a level four.”

From the way he looks at me, I know he means to compare it to my ice cream theory.

“Well, that’s got to be better than mine. I’ve always been told that everyone can see exactly how I’m feeling from my expression.”

“I would have to agree with that,” Duke says, tensing when he sees that I’ve balled up my fist and go in for a light punch to the shoulder.

“Okay, so the people you’re going to need to avoid are…” I explain about my several aunts and cousins, even showing him pictures so he can at least have some idea of who they are.

“Just hang out with me throughout the evening and then we should make it through.”

“Do we get to dance?” Duke asks.

I’m surprised by that question and say, “I think Hope has some music planned. Why?”

“Because while I may be a horrible singer and my acting skills are not going to get me to Hollywood, I know quite a bit about dancing.”

“Are we talking waltz or break dancing?” I ask, curious. But it isn’t for a few seconds that I realize my tone is flirty. And I didn’t want to crawl in a hole because of it. Progress.

“Both. But I’ll have to keep the breakdancing in check for another time when we have a flash mob. I’m still bummed I didn’t get the chance to try out for that.”

I laugh again, and am surprised by how extremely happy I am to be here and get to hear Duke without the filter of thinking he’s horrible because of his profession. I could get used to something like this. The question is would he want to continue our relationship to the next level, or just let it be?

THIRTY-TWO

DUKE

The ceremony goes off without a hitch. The mansion has been decorated in all the glitz and glam that my mom described, but my eyes are really only for a certain woman in a salmon-colored dress.

Was I surprised when my mother handed me a matching tie after I said I needed something for a wedding and that I was going with Maggie? No, the woman is a mastermind at making sure all the details are right.

And now we’re sitting down at the reception. I didn’t think about being at the table front and center when I agreed to cometo this thing. Then again, I’m still blown away that something of this magnitude was able to happen in only four weeks. That Dallas woman should get a large bonus.

We’re served the salad and I’m trying to listen into the conversation Maggie is having with her mother at our table. Did the woman shake my hand too long and say that she hopes to see me again at another family event? Yes, she did. And I thought Maggie would die of embarrassment next to me.

“You should really think about coming back to Virginia, Magnolia. There’s a lot going on right now and I miss our coffee dates.” Did Victoria Dean just pout?

“Things are going really well here, Mom. The store is booming and we’ve had to hire a couple of people to help us run it.”

Her mother sighs and says, “But at some point it’s time to stop living the childhood dream of opening up a lemonade stand and do something with your life.”

Maggie’s breathing changes, and I can tell she’s trying to figure out what to say next.

“This isn’t a lemonade stand,” I say, after chewing a few bites of salad. “The Candy Jar is well run and a lot of people love going in there. I know a guy who goes in every day to try a new flavor of ice cream.”

I turn and wink at Maggie, who gives me a grateful smile.

“But you’ll have to be there forever, tied to the business. How will you get to venture out and do things? What about when you get married and have a family?”

“One thing at a time, Mom.”

“What about your father’s business? It would be great to keep it in the family.”

“Then ask Brandon to come back and take it over. I don’t want anything to do with the accounting firm. I can use my skillswhere I am,” Maggie says, stabbing at the leaves of lettuce on her plate.

---