Allie hadn’t told her sister about the conversation she had with Sam the other night. When he admitted to being callous enough to use another person’s story for financial gain. She probably wouldn’t, since it would only cause blind panic among Laney and the rest of the family. Instead, she told her about Sam’s upcoming date with Meredith.
Laney looked suitably disgusted. “You’re definitely better off without him. Although…I will mention one last thing.”
Famous last words. Allie popped the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth and waited for the kicker.
“Aside from my mother’s aversion to the guy, even she admitted there were some undercurrents between you. She’s torn between horror that an author universally despised by her community could possibly become a family member and the jubilation her spinster daughter may finally be joined in holy matrimony. Needless to say, she’s praying on this. A lot.”
Allie nearly choked. “Matrimony? Is she nuts?” Hell, no. Definitely time for a new subject. “Where’s Mark tonight? It’s been a while since I’ve seen him. I don’t think I caught him at Evan’s the other day, either.”
“Where do you think? At work, of course. He picked up a double shift and will be at the firehouse until Friday. But I have some plans cooking for Friday. A nice romantic evening with me in this scanty number I picked up at Macy’s—my mom would be shocked.”
“Any particular reason you’re trying to seduce your husband? Has he finally come around to the prospect of starting a family?”
Laney sighed. “Not yet. But like I said, I’ve hardly seen him.”
“I know this means a lot to you,” Allie said, trying to convey her sympathy. “But you two have got to sit down and discuss it so you’re on the same page before something happens you’re both not on board with.”
“Allie. I’m nearly twenty-three years old. My good childbearing years are passing me by!”
Allie restrained the impulse to roll her eyes at her sister’s melodrama. “Don’t be silly.”
“I’m tired of waiting. I waited a year for Mark to finally set the date. Now we’ve been married two more years. Enough is enough. Marybeth, Karma, Lucinda…all my old high school friends already have at least one kid and are planning their next. I can barely hold my head up at my relief society meetings with all the talk of morning sickness, potty training, vaccination woes, and everything else they discuss. I have nothing to offer to the conversation but a smile. But all the while, I’m wishing it was me with those problems.”
“You have plenty of time to start a family, hon. It’ll happen. Just give Mark time, so he’s truly ready.”
“I know you mean well, Allie.” Her sister pushed her salad away. “But you just can’t understand the pressure I’m under. From church, my mother, my grandmother, Mark’s family…”
Allie chose not to push the issue. It seemed as though all she’d ever felt from Peg was the pressure to be someone she wasn’t. From the time Allie was six years old, Peg had been disappointed she wasn’t skinnier, prettier, less awkward. She wasn’t a girl Peg could be proud to take shopping at the mall or show off to her friends and family. When Laney came along, the perfect, beautiful little girl Peg had always wanted, the pressure was off Allie. For that, she’d be eternally grateful to her baby sister. Yeah, she knew what she meant about the pressure.
“Mom, are we going to have dessert?” Violet bounced in, her lisp even more pronounced, having lost a second front tooth last night.
“I have some unsalted almonds, fat-free Greek yogurt, and frozen berries in the freezer. We could make parfaits if you want?” Laney offered.
Vi looked alarmed as she stared at her aunt. Before she could start fake-gagging, Allie jumped in. “That’s okay, Laney. We should be going, anyhow.” To Vi, she mouthed, brownies, and in a nanosecond, Vi had her jacket and was racing to the car.
Allie prayed that Mark would start having sex with his wife again. Her sister couldn’t afford to lose any more weight. She was already so painfully thin, but limiting the food that passed her lips seemed to be the only thing Laney felt she could control in her life.
Allie had considered enlightening her sister to that. But Laney had to come to the realization on her own. Allie hugged her sister, kissed her on the cheek, and followed Violet to the car.
She just wished that whole realization thing didn’t feel so uncomfortably close to home. Not about food, of course, or having a baby. But about a certain dark-haired, husky-voiced author, thoughts of whom would simply not leave her alone, no matter how hard she tried to purge herself of them.
…
Sam glanced up at the clock. If his source was correct—and the lovely Janine was a great source for gossip—Allie should be meeting with Señora Sanchez right about now.
What was she up to? Janine had told him that Allie was creating footage for her video covering Mr. Williams. But he had a hunch it was something more. And likely more dangerous, too. Something she definitely had a nose for.
He’d taken it upon himself to make sure she stayed out of trouble—whether she wanted his help or not.
Sam caught up with Señora Sanchez just outside the Crimson Press newsroom.
“Hola, Señora Sanchez,” he said and delivered his most devastating smile. Or so he hoped.
She looked up, her eyelids lowered, and her brightly colored lips curved into a smile. She had always been game for a little flirtation.
“Señor Fratto. And what are we up to this afternoon? Shouldn’t you be holed up in your new classroom? You know, sharpening your English skills? Reading some Shakespeare or Keats?” She said this in a droll tone that told him she didn’t have too high an opinion of the study of literature.
“It’s such a nice day outside, I thought I’d get out of my room. Stretch my legs a bit. Hey, I tried this great restaurant the other night. Peruvian. They had this dish—”