Page 146 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘I wouldn’t have been able to find anything in Roseport anyway,’ I say quickly, feeling bad. ‘I really appreciate you getting me an outfit for tonight.’ As Cynthie’s expression lightens I know I’d rather die than complain about it now; I’ll wear whatever she’s lending me with a smile, even if it’s a bin bag.

‘I’ll go and grab it,’ Tara says, putting the curling iron down. ‘I want to perv on Luke in his tux.’ She sends me a wink.

‘You know I think your hair would look better up, Lee,’ Gran muses.

‘Do you think so?’ I ask, turning my head back and forth in the mirror.

‘Definitely,’ Cynthie comments as she appears with a load of hair grips in her hand. ‘Let me quickly pin these curls up. I spend most of my life getting my hair done so I’m practically a professional.’ She holds the grips between her teeth as she deftly pins the curls in place forming a loose French twist. ‘I wish we could have flown Patty in,’ she mutters. ‘I asked her for instructions, but she’d have done it much better.’

‘A bit much for an inn reopening party, flying your hair stylist in,’ I say with a grin.

Her eyes meet mine in the mirror and she squeezes my shoulders. ‘I suppose so. Anyway, I haven’t done too badly.’

‘No, it looks perfect,’ I say honestly.

‘Okay!’ Tara comes barging in with a dress bag over one arm. Phoebe is hot on her heels, dressed in a sparkly black and purple dress with a full tulle skirt that she and Gran picked out yesterday. Unbeknownst to us, Gran broke Phoebe out of school for the afternoon and the two went on a shopping spree. Needless to say, they’re the best of friends now.

Taco trots in behind them, and even he is dressed for the occasion, a floral corsage pinned to his collar.

‘Two pieces of news,’ Tara declares. ‘Luke in a tuxedo is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, and the dress is here.’

‘And the shoes!’ Phoebe holds up a shoebox.

‘Cynthie,’ I gasp, opening the dress bag, ‘this is gorgeous. Are you sure you don’t want to wear it?’

She waves her hand. ‘No, no. It was part of a photo shoot and the stylist said it washed me out. I wasn’t sure at the time but I think he’s right. It’ll be much better with your colouring.’

‘It’s true,’ Gran chimes in. ‘Brings out the gold in your hair.’

I slip into the dress, which is a whisper of creamy silk. It’s bias cut with a cowl neckline, and the back dips almost scandalously low.

‘Oh, it is quite long,’ I say regretfully.

‘You’re right,’ Cynthie sighs, pulling out the shoes, which are high heeled and made of sapphire blue satin. When I slip them on the skirt of the gown still drags on the floor despite their height. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says sadly. ‘I suppose I am taller.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ I rush to reassure her. ‘I’ll just hold the skirt up.’

‘I guess that will work,’ Cynthie agrees, and for a split second I could swear there’s an unholy glee in her eyes, but even as I register it, it’s gone.

‘It’s lucky we have the same size feet,’ I say, admiring the shoes. ‘And that they let you take these home, too.’

‘Mmm,’ Cynthie murmurs in agreement. ‘Now,’ she exchanges a quick look with Tara, ‘didn’t Luke need a hand with something in the car?’

‘Yes, and,’ Phoebe says, ‘we should help him.’

‘Why is Phoebe doing improv?’ I ask.

‘Because I told her that real actors improv all the time,’ Cynthie says airily. ‘She’s doing a project for school.’

‘Yes, and I am,’ Phoebe says admiringly.

Tara chokes on a laugh. ‘Anyway, let’s go and help him.’ The three of them leave and I’m alone with my grandmother.

‘Are they being strange or is it just me?’

Gran shrugs. ‘Ophelia, everyone in this town is slightly strange. Perhaps there’s something in the water.’

‘True,’ I grin, ‘but you like it, don’t you?’