Page 94 of Discerning Blake

Mayor Anderson and I agreed that no one but the two of us could know about Georgina. It’s too easy for secrets to get out of hand in such a small town. She promised not to tell even her husband, and I promised not to tell Chase. I don’t tell Blake either, though the mayor, as far as I know, doesn’t know about our relationship.

Dinner is fun. We talk about Georgina’s life before she got famous. I tell her about Dogwood Grove and how excited people are that she’ll be singing at our festival. I tell her about the parade and how the Mad Grovers dressed up as her. I even tell her about Sophia, and she says she wants to go to the Grove Grind Cafe for dessert.

We take a table by the window.

“This place is so cute,” Nina says, tracing the pattern on the doily under the centerpiece on our table.

“And they make the best cheesecake. You have to try.”

Sophia walks by, ignoring our table completely.

“Sophia,” I call. “Come here. I want you to meet someone.”

She glances up and gives Nina a dismissive look. “One second.”

She goes behind the counter and doesn’t come to our table for another five minutes.

“What can I get you?” she finally asks when she makes it to our table.

“I want you to meet Nina. She’s interviewing for a job in my office.”

Again, Sophia barely spares her a glance. “I didn’t know you were looking for someone to work for you. Take me. I’m so sick of waiting tables.”

“I’m afraid that I’m looking for someone who can work during school hours.”

She sighs loudly. “What can I get you?”

“How about you bring Nina a complimentary cheesecake to welcome her to Dogwood.”

“All free food has to be approved by my mom.”

“I’m approving it.”

She raises a shoulder. “Fine. But if she asks, I’m not taking the blame.”

“Fine.”

She leaves, and Nina and I burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe that even Sophia has no idea.”

“I have a gift for blending in. It’s a relief really. I would suffocate if I were recognized everywhere I went.”

Sophia comes back with two cheesecakes.

“You’ll have to pay for yours,” she tells me. “You’re not new.”

“That’s fine.”

“Here.” She hands one cheesecake to Nina, looking her in the eyes for the first time since we came in. “Welcome to Dogwood Grove. I hope you get the job.”

“Thanks.” Nina takes the cake with a small smile on her face.

“Auntie Ames, remember you promised to introduce me to Georgina tomorrow.”

“I don’t remember promising that at all.”

“It was understood.”