Page 40 of Kiss Me at Midnight
Grandma Dotty harumphed. “For a woman who fights for everyone else, you’re very quick to abandon a battle for a man’s heart.”
“A good general chooses battles they have a chance to win.” Lily opened the door to the salon. “We’re on a secret mission. We’re borrowing a dress for dinner tonight.”
“Both of us?”
“Yes.” That hadn’t been Lily’s plan. But if it made her grandmother happy…
“I don’t know, dear.” Grandma Dotty quirked her white brows. “Those dresses of Rachel’s aren’t your style. They’re too revealing. Why don’t you borrow an outfit from me?”
Lily struggled not to laugh. Her grandmother meant well, after all. “That’s not what this is about.” She was about to say that she wanted to beat Rachel at her own game–wear a dress better than Rachel ever could, but the salon door opened.
“What are you doing in here?” It was Marta, looking like she’d caught trespassers.
“Playing dress up for dinner?” Lily tried to smile. “It seems a shame that you chose all these outfits and Rachel won’t even wear them. I felt so fabulous last night after your make-over. I wanted to recreate the magic.”
Marta gave both Summer women an assessing look.
“But it’s great that you’re here. You can help us with our hair and make-up.” Lily tried to project her most innocent smile. “As you can see, we need the help of an experienced stylist.”
“Maybe just a professional hair fluff for me.” Grandma Dotty’s lips pulled to one side. “I think I’ll stick with the clothes I brought. Most of Rachel’s dresses have more room on the topside.”
“Not the Angelina Jolie dress.” Lily reached in the closet for the strapless black dress they’d rejected for their bridesmaid duties.
“But…the wind on this boat…” Grandma Dotty’s eyes widened. “Do you have black panties? With a slit that high, you’re going to need black panties.”
Lily shook her head, realizing that it wasn’t just her work wardrobe that had become staid and stogey, it was also her underwear drawer.
“Never fear.” Grandma Dotty raised her finger to the air. “I have a package of new underwear in my suitcase.”
Undoubtedly, they were granny-panty style, but Lily supposed they’d at least provide full coverage in case of an unfortunate wind gust.
“I have appropriate undergarments in the drawer over there,” Marta said with less starch than usual. “Sit in the chair and let’s do something more formal with your hair.”
Grandma Dotty went to dig through the drawer.
“Thank you.” Lily hurried to plop into the stylist chair. “It’s really kind of you to spend time with me. I hope Rachel won’t mind.”
“The bride is otherwise occupied.” Marta assembled a collection of hair clips and combs. “Perhaps tomorrow you can wear some of the Stella McCartney collection. I was looking forward to seeing Rachel wear the floral pieces.”
“Of course. I’d love to.” Anything to win Marta over to her side.
“Marta, I think you’ve got your drawers mixed up.” Grandma Dotty held up a pair of black panties made of sheer lace. “These are wedding night pieces. Lily might just as well go commando.”
No one said anything for a moment.
And then Grandma Dotty added in a subdued whisper, “Forget I said that last part.”
*
“Did you tell Rachel to lay off Lily?” Jud ordered a whiskey neat from the bartender. He’d seen Paulo at the lounge bar as he climbed the stairs to the dining room. When the big man didn’t answer, Jud grabbed hold of his arm. “Did you?”
“But of course,” Paulo whispered unconvincingly with a glance toward one of the chandelier cameras.
“Things had better change, Paulo. I’m warning you.”
Dotty came up the stairs. She was wearing a floor length mauve dress. Her short silver hair had been teased into some semblance of order. “Are you coming to dinner, boys?”
“Yes,” Jud said obediently. He poked Paulo.
