“I saw that.”
I practically jump at the sound of Eli’s voice. “Why the hell are you texting me if you’rerightthere?” I drop my head down and groan. We’re back to working nonstop hours, but Gail, Penny, and my family are joining us at the big house for dinner tonight. I say “us,” even though Tally and I are still sneaking around. We made it through our first two weddings over the weekend without any major problems. Billie assisted Gail and Tally stuck by my side, but now the pressure is on when it comes to getting everything ready for the Hall event.
“Figured I’d test out the waters, suss your mood before I asked you this next thing.” Eli’s grinning when I turn around.
I motion to my face. “Is this scary enough to avoid any more questions?”
He chuckles. “Nah, I’m like Teflon. Nothing bothers me.”
I roll my eyes, but my lip twitches in betrayal. It’s hard not to smile when the guy is trying so damn hard.
He must see that momentary weakness because he pounces. “Do you have a date to the Spring Fling?”
I groan. “What?”
“The Spring Fling. Do you have a date?”
My teeth grind together. “Are you asking if you can take Tally?”
“Do you think I have a death wish?” Eli laughs. “I was just thinking we should go shopping for suits together.”
I shake my head. “We’re not doing that.”
“Come on. I’m wearing blue, we should coordinate.” I kill his enthusiasm with my silence. “True, blue is so not your color. Maybe green then?”
“Fuck’s sake, I don’t know why I try,” I grumble.
“Because you’re going to like the information I just heard about Tally.”
I immediately stand to attention. “What did you hear?”
He turns toward me like he doesn’t want anyone to over-hear, despite the fact no one is with us. It’s ridiculous, but for some reason I lean in as well. “Word on the street is, the old bakery she used to work at has been put into the town restoration project.”
“Huh?”
“It’s this fund that restores old buildings and offers reduced rent so the downtown remains vibrant. It’s the only building empty on the whole street.”
My tongue goes to my cheek. “You don’t say.”
—
A few hours later, I’m trying to forget about what Eli told me and instead focus on helping Tally make dinner. She’s wearing another one of her pretty dresses; this one is red and floats down to her bare feet. I wonder how she will act in front of everyone this evening. Because here, in this kitchen, she looks a hell of a lot like mine.
“Oh, what smells so good?” Gail asks as she appears with Penny and Billie in tow. Quinn must have booked it backoutside, typical. Mid-April has brought with it warmer weather and bluer skies—much better than the gray New England experiences so often in winter—which means it’s nearly impossible for my sister to get Quinn inside at night.
“Tally’s making brisket,” I say before greeting each of them with a quick kiss to the cheek and a hug. Billie and Penny are focused on how I move around Tally, though Gail seems more tuned in to her daughter.
“Haven’t had that in a long time,” her mother murmurs as she steps up close, leaning over Tally’s shoulder and taking in the impressive spread.
“Daddy’s favorite,” Tally says softly.
Gail rests a hand on Tally’s shoulder and squeezes. “It sure was.”
Tally relaxes her head against her mother’s hand, and something between them settles, an acknowledgment that although they might be grieving in different ways, they still have each other.
“I’ll go get Quinn, and we’ll set the table,” I say quietly.
“Penny and I can do it,” Gail offers. “There are six of us so we’ll need all the settings,” she tells her daughter. Tally’s shoulders seem to tense, and I remember how she reacted last time someone sat in her father’s chair.
