The Best Man's Plan

Grace and Chloe had both brought cool and casual dresses for the party. It was nice to be able to dress comfortably for a change, Grace reflected as she buckled the strap of one low-heeled sandal. Her feet were particularly relieved.

“You’re sure you’re okay about tonight?” Chloe asked as she stood in front of the mirror, fastening her gold hoop earrings. “I know it will be awkward for you, having to pretend in front of everyone that you and Bryan are a couple.”

“We’ve been participating in that pretense for several weeks now.”

“Yes, but that was for strangers. This is different.”

Since Grace had just been thinking very much along the same lines, she couldn’t argue. “I’ll get through it. We don’t have to lie, really. Bryan and I have been dating—we don’t have to explain why. We’ve never implied to anyone that we’re engaged or even discussing a long-term relationship. All we have to do this evening is act like very good friends and answer any questions politely but vaguely.”

“You and Bryan have become friends, haven’t you? I’ve noticed that you seem to enjoy being together.”

“Chloe…”

Her sister gave her an innocent look. “I’m not matchmaking. It was only an observation.”

“Humph.” Unconvinced, Grace stood and stepped to the mirror, and picked up the hairbrush that had been lying on the dressertop.

There was an eerie sense of déjà vu to getting dressed in her old bedroom with Chloe. Evelyn had changed the décor of the room during the past eleven years since Grace moved out, transforming it from a teenager’s room to a guest room, but the furniture was the same. It didn’t take much imagination for Grace to see the room as it once had been, decorated with beads and stuffed animals and posters of long-haired rock stars. Chloe’s room had been “prissier”—lace and porcelain and Degas prints. The twins had always made an effort to express their individuality, and yet the bond between them had always been strong.

Things were changing, Grace mused wistfully. Not so long ago, she had been the most important person in her sister’s life. She was fully aware that she had now taken second place. When Chloe and Donovan had children—and Chloe wanted them soon—Grace would slip even further down the priority scale. As it should be, of course. She and Chloe would always be close, but Chloe’s first loyalty must be to her own family.

Evelyn’s voice cut through Grace’s temporary melancholy. “Grace, honey, there’s a call for you. It’s Bryan.”

Chloe frowned. “I hope he isn’t calling to say he can’t make it. Donovan and I really want him to be with us this evening.”

Grace didn’t mention that she felt much the same way. As awkward as it would be for her to try to deceive her old friends and neighbors, she suspected that it would be even more problematic going to the party without Bryan. There would be questions about him to field, speculation about whether they’d broken up, concerned reminders about how quickly time passed for a single woman approaching her thirties. This was still an old-fashioned community in some ways. Women Grace’s age were expected to be married—or at least putting a great deal of effort into attaining that goal.

She walked to the kitchen to take the call, since there was no extension in her old room. “Bryan?” she said while her mother hovered in the back

ground, quietly unloading the dishwasher. “Is something wrong?”

“My plane was delayed a couple of hours in Dallas. I’m in Little Rock now, just leaving for Searcy. Do you want to wait for me there at your parents’ house or should I join you at the party?”

Because she knew what her mother would want her to do, Grace answered, “You can join us there. Don’t rush. There’s no need to risk your life trying to get here too quickly.”

“Okay. Sorry about the holdup.”

“It isn’t your fault. Are you having someone drive you?”

“I’m driving myself. My arm is much better, hardly even sore now. Jason picked me up at the airport and dropped me off at my place, so I’ve got the car.”

Grace had convinced Donovan to return the Corvette to Bryan’s house while Bryan was away, telling him—and herself—that there was no need for her to keep it any longer. “Be careful,” she urged again.

“I will. See you soon, gorgeous.”

For some stupid reason, she was blushing a little when she hung up the phone—and she was quite sure her sharp-eyed mother noticed. “Bryan’s going to be a little late. He’ll join us at the club.”

“I’m glad he’ll be able to come. How is his arm?”

“He said it’s much better. It’s probably still more sore than he’ll admit, but he seems to be healing quickly.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Evelyn studied Grace’s black-and-white color-blocked sleeveless dress. “I like that outfit. Is it new?”

Grace lifted her arms and made an exaggerated runway model’s turn. “Found it on a clearance rack.”

“It’s very flattering. I’m sure Bryan will like it.”

Uh-oh. Not her mother, too. “Mom, don’t forget Bryan and I are simply putting on an act to draw gossip away from Chloe and Donovan.”