Page 50 of Dreams of Falling
I felt a flash of anger—not because I thought she was wrong, but because I was afraid there might be a glimmer of truth in what she was saying. I turned my back on her and picked out the dress I’d liked the best and walked toward the register. “It’s just dinner, Mabry. Not forever.”
“You’re right. Sorry. It’s always been my role to be bossy, you know? It makes me a great nurse.” She gave me a small smile. “So, where did you say you were going to dinner tonight?”
“The River Room Restaurant. They don’t take reservations, but Jackson said he’s taken care of it so that the nicest table outside facing the water is ours at seven o’clock. I guess he knows people because of his business.”
Mabry rolled her eyes. “Or he just steamrolled someone into making them do something he wanted them to. That’s more his style.”
I thanked the saleswoman, then took the bag containing a new dress, new shoes, and new earrings. I’d declined the matching necklace because I never took off the gold chain with the three charms Bitty had given me.
I pressed my lips together as I headed toward the door. “I thought you and Jackson used to have a ‘thing.’ Is that what this is all about?”
Mabry followed me out of the store and waited until we were on the sidewalk before facing me and pointing a finger at my chest. “Like I already told you, Jackson Porter and I never had a ‘thing’ then or now despite what he might have said. You were my best friend, and I knew how you felt about him, so I wouldneverhave had a ‘thing’ with him, even if I’d wanted to. And I didn’t.” She dropped her finger. “I’m just concerned about you because I think you’re too good for him—both before and now. I just wish you could see it.”
I bristled under her scrutiny. There was so much I wanted to ask her, but there was so much more I didn’t want to tell her, so I let my questions die in the back of my throat, where they belonged. “Yes, well, I’m an adult now, and I can take care of myself.” I softened. “But thank you. I’ll take your caution under advisement.”
Her frown gradually turned into a smile as she glanced over at oneof the nearby restaurants where music played from an outside speaker. It was my turn to roll my eyes. “‘Your Love’ by the Outfield.”
She hugged me tightly. “So glad you haven’t lost your touch.”
I smiled back. “Thanks for helping me shop today.”
“You’re welcome. And don’t be a stranger while you’re here. I’d love to do more catching up. You still haven’t told me what my dream means.”
“Oh, yeah—I meant to call you. It means you’re overwhelmed and need a vacation. And that your little boy needs a puppy.”
“Really?”
“The first part, anyway. The second part is just my suggestion. Every little boy needs a dog. You and Bennett always had one.”
“Seems if I’m overwhelmed, the last thing I need is something else to take care of.”
I shrugged. “Just saying.” I waved before turning around and walking down the sidewalk toward Ceecee’s house. I recalled what I’d almost said to Mabry, all the loose words that wanted to form into questions jumbling around my head like the golden seeds of spartina grass in a fall wind.
•••
?When I came down the stairs later that evening wearing my new ensemble, Ceecee fussed over me before telling me to head back up to my room so that it wouldn’t look like I was too eager. Bitty simply yanked on my hand and pulled me into the foyer before leaning into my ear and asking me if I had a can of Mace in my purse.
“Why would you say that? You don’t even know him.”
“I know he broke your heart once, so he will always be on my hit list.”
“People change, Bitty. Just look at me.”
She brushed my cheek with the backs of her fingers. “But you’re the same beautiful Larkin on the inside. It’s the outside of a person that we can get creative with, but that won’t change what’s on the inside. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”
The doorbell rang, and I rushed to answer it before Ceecee couldinvite Jackson inside, where I’d be forced to listen to her and Bitty bombarding us with questions and looking for opposite outcomes. My heart lurched in a double take as I took in the white button-down shirt and navy blue blazer, his broad football-player shoulders filling it out nicely. When he leaned in to kiss my cheek, I smelled his cologne again, and all the old feelings sifted over me like confetti.
“You look gorgeous,” he said, his lips close to my ear.
“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
He stepped back and greeted Ceecee and Bitty, but before they could say anything beyond an initial salutation, I was pulling on his hand and leading him down the porch steps. A red BMW convertible was parked at the curb, and he opened the passenger door for me, then closed it behind me as soon as I’d buckled my seat belt.
As the engine purred to life, he said, “I hope the River Room is okay. There’s a new Italian place that I’ve been dying to try, but I didn’t know if you’d be all right with that—you know, with all those pasta carbs and things. Not to mention cheese.” He gave me a self-deprecating smile, and I was too confused to come up with a response.
Taking my silence for appreciation, he said, “There are lots of veggies and grilled stuff on the menu, so I’m hoping there are enough choices for both of us.”
He started the car, put it in gear, and pulled away from the curb with a squeal of tires. Once I’d found my voice, I said, “Thanks, Jackson, but I eat pretty much everything—even dessert. Just not two helpings of everything.” I smiled to set him at ease.
