“We’ll take all the business we can get,” she replied cheerfully. “It would be nice if we could spread it out a bit, rather than mostly in a span of a few weeks, but we’re not too choosy.”
“I was going to ask if you have time for dinner or a movie sometime in the next few days, but it sounds as though that’s a long shot this week. Maybe we can get together sometime next week,” he said, sounding resigned.
“I’m free Monday evening for dinner.”
“Pencil me in.”
She chuckled at the dated phrase. “I’ll type you in,” she corrected. “And then I’ll hit Save.”
“Yeah, do that.”
“And maybe I’ll see you on Sunday, if that’s when Cassie wants to get together.”
“That would be nice. I’ll let you get some rest now. Just wanted to say hi.”
“Hi,” she said, smiling softly in response to the intimate memory that crept into her mind with the word.
“Sleep well, Bonnie.”
He disconnected before she could respond. Could he possibly suspect that she expected to lie awake for a while yet, thinking about him, wondering what would happen between them, and breathlessly anticipating the next time she could see him?
“Cassie, this is going to be the most beautiful dress I’ve ever owned.” Late Sunday afternoon, Bonnie twisted in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom of Paul’s home that Cassie had commandeered as a sewing room. She peered over her shoulder at the low-cut back of the leaf-green, cap sleeve sheath, blinking a bit at the way the fabric hugged the curve of her hips and bottom.
This was a new dress shape for her, formfitting, revealing a triangular swath of back and a tasteful amount of cleavage. The waist nipped in to give her an almost classic hourglass shape, and the hem was just short enough to make her legs look surprisingly long beneath the sleek silhouette. A pair of heels would make it look even better, she thought, rising slightly on tiptoes and admiring the result.
Cassie dimpled in pleasure, smiling around the pin she held in her mouth. She removed it to slide it carefully into the fabric at Bonnie’s right side, making a minute adjustment to the fit. “That’s better. Definitely wear heels. They don’t have to be stilettos, but at least a nice two-inch.”
“Would you wear a necklace with it?”
Cassie shook her head, making her loose strawberry blond ponytail wobble precariously. “A bracelet and earrings. No necklace.”
“You’re the designer,” Bonnie conceded, amused. “That’s part of presenting your garments, isn’t it? Styling the model?”
“Yes.” Cassie looked as though she couldn’t wait to get started with that. “So, I’ll advise you to leave your hair down in loose waves and wear a bright blusher that brings out your eye color. Those blue eyes are gorgeous.”
Now it was Bonnie’s turn to dimple. “Thank you.”
“Just calling it like I see it. There’s nothing more I need to do today, so you can put your other clothes on. Be careful of the pins. Just lay the dress over that chair. I’ll go pour us some tea while you dress.”
“Sounds good.” Not to mention that she knew Paul was waiting downstairs for them. She’d barely had time to greet him when she’d arrived and had been rushed upstairs by his daughter for the fitting. And now that that was out of the way…
She glanced at her watch, sighing at how little free time she had before she had to rush back to the inn. Carefully peeling off the mostly finished dress, she draped it over the designated chair and dressed quickly in the top and skirt she’d worn over. Pushing a hand through her hair to smooth it, she moved down to the kitchen, her heart already beating rather rapidly in anticipation.
She found Cassie pouring iced tea into three tall glasses at the table. Paul stood by the counter. He turned when Cassie walked in, grinning, a chip-and-dip tray cradled between his hands. He set it on the table with a flourish. “Just in case you want a snack,” he said.
Lifting an eyebrow in response to his tone, she glanced from him to the tray. The center bowl held a creamy dip topped with chopped, roasted red peppers. Kale chips surrounded the bowl, appearing to be perfectly roasted.
“Kale chips tossed with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and sea salt and baked until crispy,” he said, speaking nonchalantly. “Served with roasted red pepper yogurt dip seasoned with a little sm
oked paprika.”
“You made this?”
“All by himself,” Cassie assured her with a proud laugh. “Can you believe it? Dad making kale chips? Roasting red peppers and making dip with them?”
“I’m impressed,” Bonnie assured him.
He held a chair for her. “Maybe you should taste it first.”