“T-strap shoes. Silver bracelets.” Jenny nodded as if it was all decided. “Do your hair in that little twist off the face I like so much.”
“Do you know how to Charleston?” Tess asked curiously.
Stevie laughed. “Not a clue. But it would be fun to learn, wouldn’t it?” She glanced in the mirror again. “Sold.”
Tess laughed. “Hooray for bestie discounts!” she cheered as she went in to change out of the green dress that would be accompanying her home.
When she carried her purchases into the glittering, holiday-decorated showroom, Stevie was already paying for her choice and looking forward to wearing it at the charity event.
“I hope I’ll get some new business,” she added. “I can’t wait to show you the kitchen. The updates are gorgeous, if I do say so myself.”
“Will Joe be back from Austin in time to attend the party with you?”
Stevie’s smile dimmed noticeably. “No, they’re staying a little longer, making some good contacts in the Austin music scene. Joe thinks they have a nice gig lined up for next weekend.”
“Good for them.” Tess resisted an impulse to glance at Jenny, though she suspected they were both thinking the same thing—that this was the beginning of the end of Stevie’s relationship with Joe.
Tess had heard all about Stevie’s romantic history during late-night girls-only wine and confidences sessions. She knew her friend had a weakness for musicians, several of whom had broken her tender heart over the years. Would her heart be broken again, or was Stevie more prepared this time, more guarded?
At least she didn’t have to worry about having her own heart shattered if this experiment with Scott didn’t work out, she told herself. By approaching their relationship logically and cautiously, based on friendship and mutual goals rather than capricious emotions, they were protecting themselves against the sort of pain Stevie seemed to continually court with her impetuous infatuations.
“Well,” Jenny said brusquely, breaking into Tess’s somber thoughts, “it’s Joe’s loss that he won’t get to see you in this dress, at least not this time.”
“That’s okay.” Stevie’s usual glint of mischief lit her eyes as she grinned at Tess. “That’ll free me up to spy on Tess and His Highness all evening. After all, Jen, I promised you all the juicy details.”
Tess rolled her eyes as Jenny laughed. “There will be nothing to report. We’re just going to make an appearance at this thing, do a little networking and schmoozing for the business, then get out of there.”
“To go where and do what?” Jenny teased lightly. “Do you and Scott have plans for after the party?”
“We haven’t talked about it.”
They hadn’t actually had an opportunity to talk about anything but business since they’d parted in the parking lot Monday night. The past two days had been one pressing situation after another. Scott hadn’t even had a chance to attend the office baby shower yesterday.
Only once had she suspected Scott’s thoughts had wandered into personal territory. She’d caught him looking at her lips as she’d stood beside his desk waiting for instructions while he’d listened to a long-winded caller on his phone. Something had told her he was remembering their kisses—which, of course, had sent her thoughts, too, in that direction. Her lips had tingled as she’d instinctively moistened them. His eyes had narrowed and darkened, his expression making her pulse rate jump. She hadn’t quite known whether to be relieved or a little disappointed when Andy had rushed into the room with another decision to be made, pushing all private issues aside.
“Has he said anything more about, you know, wanting to have your babies and stuff?” Stevie inquired, a little too artlessly.
Tess gave her friend a chiding look. “It’s been a very busy week at work. And honestly, Stevie...”
Stevie shrugged. “You know I’m still concerned that you’ll settle for Scott because of all the pressure your sister has been putting on you, and maybe the biological clock thing. I remember that silly, panicky feeling just before I turned thirty. I met Joe not long after that,” she added quietly.
Was Stevie acknowledging that Joe had been a “Mr. Right Now” who’d shown up at a time when she was vulnerable? It was what Tess had always believed, but she hadn’t thought Stevie was aware of it.
“A lot of people might be surprised to hear you suggest Tess would be ‘settling’ for Scott Prince,” Jenny commented. “You are aware that he’s one of this city’s most eligible bachelors?”
Waving a hand dismissively, Stevie said shortly, “I’m not denying that Scott’s a great catch. I’m just saying Tess deserves more than being a means to an end for a guy who’s already accomplished many of his life goals and now wants to check marriage and kids off his list of aspirations.”
Both Tess and Jenny stared at Stevie in response to that rather astringent assessment. Tess swallowed past a hard knot in her throat, while Jenny frowned in disapproval. “That was kind of harsh. I can’t imagine Scott sees Tess as just a means to an end. I think it’s more likely he’s realized how lucky he is to have her in his life.”
After a moment, Stevie held up both hands in apologetic surrender. “You’re right. That was a tacky comment. Sorry, Tess, I certainly didn’t mean to imply that Scott wouldn’t be damned lucky to have you. I just hope he knows it, that’s all.”
Tess cleared her throat. “We’re just exploring possibilities, Stevie. I haven’t even decided what I’m going to do yet.”
“Don’t listen to me, okay?” Stevie’s eyes were suddenly a glittering bright blue, glossed over by unshed tears. “Just have fun and make up your own mind what you want, with or without Scott. I just want you to be happy. I want all my friends to be happy.”
Visibly concerned, Jenny moved around the counter to catch Stevie’s fluttering hands. “What’s going on, Stevie? Is this about Joe?”
Pasting on a semblance of her usual sunny smile, Stevie freed one hand to dash at her eyes and shook her head. “No. I’m fine, really. Just... I don’t know, I’m kind of out of it today. I didn’t sleep very well last night and I had to get up early this morning to feed Dusty before I left for work. Sorry.”