“Oh, it’s you.”

Really? Does no one in Whispering Bay have a freakin’ sense of humor?

“Is Brittany in?”

“May I ask what this is about?”

Enough is enough. “Tell her that as a local business owner, I need to speak to her pronto.”

Ginny falters a moment.

“The Chamber of Commerce still works to promote local businesses, right? Which means you work for me.”

She sighs. “She has five minutes before she has to leave for a meeting. I’ll let her know you’re here.” She picks up her phone and almost immediately, Brittany comes out of her office.

Her auburn hair looks sleek and shiny. She’s wearing a black linen shift that fits her size two frame perfectly. With every step she takes in her four-inch heels, she exudes confidence and poise. No wonder Will is crazy about her. Who wouldn’t be?

“Lucy,” she says stiffly, “how can I help you?”

Apparently, we’re going to have to do this out here in the waiting room with Ginny as our audience.

“Look, I came over here to tell you that Will had no idea what was going down last night, but that would be a lie. He knew I was going to pretend to be Abby and he went along with it. He didn’t do it to make fun of anyone or make anyone look foolish. He did it because I asked him to because he’s my best friend. He’s the best guy I know, Brittany. He’s… everything and more. And he really really likes you. He’s liked you forever. If you want to be mad at someone, then be mad at me. But Will doesn’t deserve it.”

Brittany’s bottom lip quivers.

“And for what it’s worth, I was never making fun of you. And… I’d like for us to be friends. Maybe. If that’s what you want.”

“Oh, Lucy!” She grabs me in a hug. “Really? I want that too!”

“So, we’re good?” I’m a little dazed by how well this is going.

“Absolutely!”

I can’t believe I’m about to say this. “And you’ll give Will a chance?”

“Definitely. If you think he’s so awesome, then he must be.”

Not exactly the answer I’m looking for, but it will have to do.

“Okay, then.”

“When can we have lunch?” she asks eagerly.

“Huh?”

“Lunch, silly! All best friends have lunch together.” She snaps her fingers at Ginny. “Check my calendar and see what day I have free next week. Oh, Lucy, we have so much to talk about!”

We do?

Ten minutes later, I walk out the door in a daze with plans to meet my new “best friend” for lunch next Wednesday.

Lunch with Brittany on Wednesday and book club with Betty Jean on Thursday. I’m still trying to wrap my head around my new social calendar when Paco comes bounding through the clinic door to greet me. He wags his tail and jumps up and down.

The vet tech goes over Paco’s discharge instructions, then I head to the front desk to face the music. It’s a good thing my credit card has a healthy limit. Otherwise, I’m not sure how I’d pay the enormous bill waiting for me. The figure at the bottom of the paper makes me queasy. When I hand the receptionist my credit card, she informs me that the bill has already been charged to my card since it’s on file and that she’s mailed the receipt to my account.

“My account?”

She nods. “I mailed it to the address we had for the dog.”

Tags: Maria Geraci Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective Mystery
Source: readsnovelonline.net