Her careful smile falters for only a second. She knows what we're doing, and she doesn't appreciate it, but she'll never tell us.
Liane turns her attention on Mallory. "You're the young lady I met at the hair salon."
"Yes," Mallory says with a smile. She sounds far more genuine than any of us. I catch my sister's gaze behind Liane's back, and she rolls her eyes. Vivi is usually no-nonsense, but this is extreme. Maybe something happened with her ex? I wouldn't be surprised. Though he was the one who was unfaithful in their marriage, he does everything he can to absolve himself of the guilt by trying to make Vivi feel like she caused him to step out. My sister might talk a tough game, but on the inside, she's sensitive.
Liane is saying something to Mallory about coming by her booth later for prickly pear lemonade. Then she turns to Duke. "Duke, make sure you call the mayor and schedule some time with him. He'd like to talk to you about a new hotel chain looking to build here in the next few years. Just some due diligence."
Duke nods dutifully. "Yes, ma'am."
Liane spends a minute asking Daisy how things are going on her parents' thoroughbred farm. Daisy smiles her trademark warm and winning grin, and answers politely. Despite finally putting herself first and following her heart by choosing Penn, she remains the town golden girl.
"Well, I just wanted to thank you all for coming today," Liane says, walking off on her bougie heels to torture another group of people.
"It's as if she believes she is hosting this event," Vivi gripes, watching Liane's retreating form.
"You know that's how she is," Duke says. "She mother hen's the whole town."
Vivi's arms cross. "I don't like it."
"We couldn't tell," Penn mutters.
Vivi points at him. "Don't sass me."
Suddenly, I have the urge to walk away, to take Mallory and be on my own with her. I love sitting with my friends and bullshitting, but that's not why we're here.
Tipping my head Mallory's direction, I ask, "You ready to explore?"
She glances around the group, eyes landing back on mine. "I think I'm done absorbing."
I stand up, offering her my hand. She doesn't need the assistance, not in any real physical capacity.
I like the idea of treating her well. Given that she's pregnant, without a partner, tells me somebody recently treated her poorly. I don't like thinking any woman was mistreated, but it's especially upsetting when it comes to Mallory.
"I'm going to take Mallory around the festival," I inform the group, thumbing behind myself.
I await Vivi's snide remark, but mercifully, she stays quiet.
"It was nice to meet you," Mallory says to everyone.
We make it a few feet away when I hear Duke say, "Somebody please tell me who that woman is."
Mallory chuckles, and I sigh in apology. "Sorry about that. I never bring women around. I think my friends are in shock."
"No apology necessary. I like observing, and there was a lot to soak in."
Her comment piques my interest. "Tell me more."
"Well," Mallory says, stopping at a homemade soap vendor. "Your sister isn't open to talking about your dad. Not with me, at least."
"She doesn't know your history yet. Or why you're here."
Mallory selects a cube of sample soap from the tray, the one with a thin slice of lemon poking out of the top and leaves of rosemary inside. She lifts it to her nose, inhaling. "You can tell her. Or I can. I'd rather have her on board."
"Me, too. I've seen mules less stubborn than my sister." Mallory offers me the soap, and I take it. "I have this in my kitchen. The owner uses cold-pressed olive oil in her recipe."
"Your olive oil?" Mallory asks, eyebrows raised.
I nod. Carley, the shop owner, comes to say hello. Mallory introduces herself, explaining she's in Olive Township for a visit. She doesn't seem interested in telling people the real reason she's here, so I follow her lead and introduce her this way as we walk throughout the festival.
