“Sounds like a serious project,” Adele said. “We’ll help you get this cleaned up. What did you want to talk about?”
“It’s about the reunion committee.” Aurora closed up the sour cream and put it back in the refrigerator. “I only started doing this at Katie’s insistence, but I’m having fun.”
“That’s great!” Adele was bringing in the plates as Carrie pulled silverware from the table. The others wandered into the kitchen and started cleaning as well.
“It’s all people I knew from choir and musical, from sixth grade up to senior year. Which is funny.” She looked at Lizzie; as sisters, they had gone to the same school, and Lizzie would know who she was talking about. “Jennifer Smith is the committee chair. David Romero is working on music with Michael Adams. Britney Baumann is handling food, and I’m doing decorations with Duncan Sullivan.”
Lizzie’s eyebrows shot up. “Duncan Sullivan?”
“Yeah. And what I need to talk to you guys about is something Mike and Dave told me.”
“What’s that?” Lizzie was scraping plates while Carrie rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher.
“They think Duncan is attracted to me.”
All activity stopped.
“Is this a good thing?” Stacey asked, her voice gentle.
“I–I don’t know.” Aurora finally let her brain start processing the conversation. “He was so out of my league in high school. He was the lead, I got a tiny part. I wasn’t as heavy as I am now, but I wasn’t skinny either. He is still so much more attractive than me.”
Lizzie cocked her head and stared at Aurora. “I had no idea you found him attractive. You’ve never said that.”
“I was nerdy, not blind,” She sat on a kitchen stool. “Or stupid.”
“You onlythoughthe was out of your league.”
“No, Iknowhe was. And hestill is. He’s a successful businessman living out in California. What good would it do him to get attracted to me?”
“People move for relationships all the time.” Carrie sat next to Aurora on another stool. “Just because he lives there now doesn’t mean he’ll live there forever.”
“And you’re successful, too, you know.” Adele started counting on her fingers. “You got your master’s degree while you were working and planning a wedding. You kick ass at your job. You worked full time while your husband was undergoing cancer treatmentthree times.And you’ve raised a hell of a daughter through all that.”
“What reasons did they give?” Stacey asked. “Did he say something to them?”
“Not that I’m aware of. There was a party last month at the chair’s house. Duncan flew in for it. She invited everyone to go in the hot tub. I wore my leopard print bikini. You’ve all seen it. Mike and Dave told me he was staring. First at my butt, then after I changed into my suit … Well, they insinuated he was staring at everything.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “But the whole night, I thought he was a perfect gentleman.”
“That’s good.” Carrie put the slow cooker crock in the sink to soak.
“But they made it sound dirty.”
“Hey, they’re guys. They would notice subtle things that we wouldn’t. Part of being a gentleman is being able to control your urges.” Stacey waved a dish towel around for emphasis.
“I still can’t believe it. Hot guys never go for curvy nerds.”
“First of all, you’re wrong. But if they’re also wrong, then let them delude themselves. It should flatter you, not bother you, honey.” Adele patted her on the back.
“I just don’t think I should be attracting that kind of male attention at my age.”
The four women gasped in horror. Lizzie walked up to her and pantomimed slapping her while singing the part of John Adams in “But, Mr. Adams.” where Adams informs Jefferson that at forty-one he still has a healthy sex life with Mrs. Adams.
The other women were shocked silent.
“What just happened?” Stacey asked. “I feel like we went down a Wilson sister rabbit hole.”
“You have to see the musical1776to get it.” Aurora shook her head at her sister’s antics.
“I have the movie version!” Lizzie grinned. “We can watch it next time we meet at my house if you want. It’s so funny.”
