Then He Kissed Me

by Maria Geraci

  “Before nothing,” Lauren said firmly. “We’re just dating, Momma. Very casually, I might add. So please, don’t make a big deal of this. Promise?”

  Momma made a big show of crossing her finger over her heart. “Promise. I won’t make a big deal. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make a little deal of it.” Lauren sighed. Her mother’s idea of a little deal was fireworks in Central Park.

  Henry, it seemed, wasn’t surprised one bit by the news. “Yeah, I figured you two were dating. Dad already talked to me about it.”

  “Oh? What did your dad say?”

  “He said that you’d probably start dating again and maybe even get married one day, but I wasn’t to worry because you were the wisest person he knew, so anyone you married would be a good guy.”

  “Your dad said I’m wise?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I had no idea he was so smart.”

  “I think you both get it from me,” Henry said.

  Lauren grinned at her smart, wise, beautiful son. “Agreed.”

  The weather channel’s glorious Saturday forecast for this year’s Spring Into Summer festival was pretty much on target. The day started off bright and early at seven a.m. with the 10K run. Temperatures were in the low seventies with the promise of a clear blue sky. The looped race course began at festival headquarters located in the town square and ran through the small downtown area up through Beach Street, then circled back to the start line.

  As the town’s mayor, Bruce Bailey made an opening speech, in which he talked mostly about himself. Mimi had stood there listening politely, but the rest of the Bunco Babes, Lauren included, had trouble keeping their eyes from rolling.

  Almost all of Whispering Bay had come out to cheer on the runners. This year’s proceeds from the run was slated for Breast Cancer research. Momma was already the designated chairwoman of next year’s committee. She had a steno pad and was frantically taking notes on what not to do, because naturally, of course, her idea for the whole thing was much better.

  Lauren had secretly (or not so secretly) blown Nate a kiss while he’d been waiting at the starting gate. He’d seen it and waved to her. There had been a thousand runners participating and he’d placed first in his age group.

  Afterward, he came up to her, all sweaty and hot looking, and in front of everyone, he’d kissed her. It wasn’t a long kiss, but it had been on the lips, and if anyone wondered about the nature of their relationship before, that kiss left no doubt that it went way past just friendship.

  After the run, Nate had gone home to shower but he’d returned with Hector, who looked adorably innocent on his leash, sniffing the ground for any traces of fallen festival food. Nate and his sister and his mother were strolling through the arts and crafts section of the booths. Lauren already knew Lanie, but she felt a little shy being introduced to Nate’s mom. She was an attractive woman in her mid-fifties, tall like Nate, with similar coloring.

  “Did you really design and make this all by this yourself?” Connie Miller asked. She was inspecting one of the dresses Lauren had on display for her new maternity line. “I used to sew when the kids were little, but mostly costumes and dresses for Lanie, that kind of stuff. Your seams are flawless.”

  “Thank you,” Lauren said, feeling a flush of warmth. It occurred to her suddenly that it was vital that this woman like her. “My grandmother taught me to sew when I was little.”

  “It’s practically a forgotten art,” Connie said. “My son tells me you’re hoping to put out your own line. Maybe even do Internet sales?”

  “That’s the goal.”

  Connie smiled at her and Lauren noticed she had the same dimples Nate did. Or rather, Nate had her dimples. It was interesting seeing him with his mother and his sister. He seemed patient and protective of Lanie, and overly solicitous of his mother. It boded well for his future wife. Momma always said you could tell how a man was going to treat his wife based on the way he treated his mother. Lauren found herself feeling mighty envious of the future Mrs. Nate Miller. Whoever that might happen to be.

  Her stomach flip flopped. Who was she kidding? She was envisioning herself in that role. If Lauren didn’t watch herself, she was going to get way too involved, way too fast. Slow down, girl.

  “Do you have a catalog? Or a website?” Connie asked. “I work with a lot of nurses and they seem to always be getting pregnant. I bet they might be interested.”

  Dhara, who was helping man the booth, came forward to give Connie a business card. “Yep, we have a website. It officially went live this morning. There’s just a few preliminary designs on it right now but there’s a link for orders and we’ll be putting more inventory up as we develop.” She handed a card to Lanie as well.

  “Baby Got Bump.” Lanie looked surprised as she read the card out loud.

  “I thought of that name myself,” Dhara said.

  “Really?” Lanie raised a brow. “That’s…very clever.”

  Dhara smiled mysteriously. “I thought so, too.”

  Lauren glanced between the two women. “So, what are your plans?” she asked Nate.

  “I think we’ll check out the food trucks, then I’ll go see how the office staff is doing.” Most of the festival took place along Main Street where the booths and food trucks were located. There was also a large temporary stage, and every hour on the hour, different bands or local dance studios were scheduled to put on a show of some kind, culminating in tonight’s big concert featuring country star, Billy Brenton. Doc Morrison’s office had a booth next to the first aid station, where Bianca and Lola were taking blood pressures, as well as screening for diabetes and heart disease.

  Hector began pulling on his leash, like he was anxious to go. “I think Hector is hoping someone will drop a turkey leg,” Nate said.

  “God,” Lanie drawled, “let’s hope not. I have no desire to do the doggy Heimlich on the little beast.”

  “I thought you loved him,” Nate said.

  “That was before I knew he was a sex fiend.”

  Dhara laughed at the joke, and Lanie smiled at her. Again.

  “It was wonderful meeting you, Lauren,” Connie said warmly. “I hope we see each other again.”

  “I hope so, too,” Lauren said. Nate promised he’d text her later, and the Miller family strolled off through the maze of booths and people.

  Dhara had just left to get them some coffee from Frida’s Bistro by the Beach booth when an unwelcome face showed up. It was none other than Ted Ferguson. She hadn’t seen him around town since that day she’d run into him at the real estate office.

  “Well, look who’s here,” he said. “How have you been, Lauren?” He sounded pleasant enough. Almost as if their little run in at the office hadn’t occurred.

  “I’m doing great, Ted, and you?” Lauren could hear Momma’s voice in her ear. Be polite, sweetie.

  He looked over the contents of her booth, taking in the designs she had artfully displayed along one side and the vintage pieces she had brought from the shop on the other. He picked up a card and frowned. “You’re going into maternity wear? I thought you were in the antique business.”

  “Vintage clothing business,” she said. “But I’m expanding.”

  He glanced at the card again. “Good idea. Internet sales, huh? And you’re designing and sewing all this yourself? You can practically do that stuff from home nowadays.”

  “Do what from home?” she asked, genuinely confused.

  “Run your business,” he said.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Less overhead, of course.” He said it like she was some kind of ninny who didn’t know anything about running a business.

  “I think I’ll worry about my own overhead, thanks.”

  “Just trying to give you some friendly advice. Most new businesses only last a year or two tops before they have to close up. If you can cut back on expenses, like rent and utilities for a place you don’t need, then you have a better chance of making it. Of course,
no need to worry your pretty little head with all this. I know you don’t really need the money, so this must be more of a hobby for you.” He winked and she almost gagged.

  He’d just insulted her and he didn’t know it. Or did he? It was hard to tell with Ted.

  She faked a sweet smile. “I sure do appreciate your advice, Ted.”

  He failed to hear the sarcasm in her voice. “You know, Lauren, I regret the way our date ended.” He looked her over like she was some prize cow at the county fair. “I was hoping I could make it up to you. Maybe we could try dinner again? And before you say no, I’m not driving the red Ferrari. Damn idiot ran into me while I was in Miami this past week so I replaced the car with a white one. With no bumper stickers,” he added.

  “Gee, that sure is a nice offer, Ted, but I’m seeing someone.”

  “Really? Who’s the lucky guy?”

  Lauren remembered how Ted had referred to Nate as a “loser” that night at The Harbor House. It made her blood boil just thinking about it. “He’s a local. I’m sure you don’t know him. Now, if you’ll excuse—”

  “Try me.”

  “Really, Ted, why are you so interested in his name?”

  He leaned in close enough that she could smell his cologne. She was sure it was something expensive, but it was also overpowering and obnoxious, just like he was. “You know what I think? I don’t think there is a guy. I think you’re trying to brush me off because you haven’t forgiven me for our first date fiasco.”

  “First date? You mean our only date.”

  “Not if I have my way. Aw, c’mon, baby, it’s been nearly half a year. Way past time to forgive and forget. What do you say? I have a condo in the Bahamas. We could fly down there tonight. You, me, some rum and a little bikini? I promise, it’ll be a good time.”

  Gag. “I think you’d look awful funny in a little bikini, Ted.”

  He threw his head back and laughed, causing a group of passersby to glance their way. “Brains, beauty, and a killer sense of humor! We were made for each other.”

  Okay. Time to put a stop to this right now.

  “Thanks for that awesome offer, Ted, but seriously, I’m going to have to pass. I really do have a boyfriend, and if you insist on knowing his name, it’s Nate Miller.”

  He looked taken aback. “I know that name. I heard it just the other day.” He thought about it a moment then snapped his fingers. “I got it. That’s the guy who was on the front page of the paper last week. The doctor who—” He stilled. “That’s who you’re dating?”

  “Exactly.”

  “The same guy we saw at The Harbor House?” he asked incredulously. “The guy who gave you a ride home?”

  Lauren grit her teeth. “Yes.”

  “Oh, honey, I think that’s a lost cause.” His eyes gleamed with smugness. Like he knew something she didn’t. Any minute now, Lauren expected to see fangs pop out.

  Is this how Little Red Riding Hood felt when the wolf jumped out from behind the trees? Only this little girl wasn’t about to let the wolf get the upper hand. “Good to know you haven’t changed, Ted. Once an ass, always an ass.”

  Did she really just say that? Miss Mary Ellen from the Southern Camp for Girls of Good Breeding would be highly disappointed. Nate, on the other hand, she thought with a smile, would definitely approve.

  Ted’s gaze went cold. “No wonder you’re divorced. Once a bitch, always a bitch.” Then he deliberately leered at her cleavage and strolled off with his hands in his pockets as if he hadn’t just insulted her. Of course, she’d insulted him first. But he’d deserved it.

  Dhara came back with their coffees. “Did I hear right? Did that guy just call you a bitch?”

  “You heard perfectly right.” Seeing the shocked look on Dhara’s face, Lauren said, “Don’t worry, he’s a complete jerk who I never hope to see again.”

  Pilar and Shea and Mimi, along with an assortment of small children, all of whom were jumping up and down in an obvious case of cotton candy overdose, came by the booth. “Was that Ted Ferguson who just walked by?” Pilar asked.

  “The one and only.”

  “We’re on our way to the Moonwalk,” Shea said. “It will be our fourth time.”

  “Isn’t that awesome?” Pilar said, with fake enthusiasm. Her voice dropped. “What did the scumbag want?” she asked Lauren.

  Lauren kept her happy face on. In case the kids noticed. “Nothing,” she said. “Really it’s no big deal.”

  Pilar frowned. “He’s been spending a lot of time in town lately, which usually means he’s up to no good. Come Monday morning, I’m putting out some feelers.”

  “Good idea.” She looked at their faces. There was something they weren’t telling her. “What?” she asked.

  “Oh! Sorry, we were diverted by our Ted Ferguson sighting,” Pilar said. “You won’t believe who’s not showing up tonight for his own concert. Billy Brenton!”

  “What?”

  Mimi nodded. “It appears that Bruce Bailey, in his enthusiasm to stay on as mayor, promised something, or in this case, someone he can’t deliver.”

  “According to his manager, Billy Brenton was never on the schedule to appear here tonight!” Shea fairly squealed.

  “You’re kidding. When did all this come out?”

  “Zeke was worried there wasn’t enough security for crowd control for the concert so he kept pestering Bruce about it, and Bruce finally admitted it to him this morning after the race,” Mimi said.

  “This morning? Has Bruce Bailey gone crazy?”

  “I think it’s called middle-age denial,” Pilar said.

  “So who’s going to be tonight’s headliner?” Lauren asked.

  Pilar’s dark eyes gleamed much the same way Ted’s had just a few minutes ago. “That’s the best part! Harry Tuba and his polka band are the replacements.”

  Lauren felt her jaw drop. “I don’t know if I’m happy for Mimi—because obviously, Bruce has just sealed his political fate—or if I’m sad for me and the rest of the town because I really wanted to hear Billy Brenton.”

  “Yeah, this is definitely one of those mixed feeling kind of things,” Pilar said. “But it will make a great campaign theme for Mimi. Vote for Mimi and she’ll bring you the real deal, not some polka band.”

  “I’m not making any promises I can’t keep,” Mimi said.

  “Yeah, but think what a coup it would be if you get elected and next year Billy Brenton really shows up.”

  *~*~*

  The rest of the day sped by. Henry and Cameron stopped by the booth on their way to meet up with friends, and then later, Tom and Allie brought her a late lunch from one of the food trucks.

  “Can you believe this year’s turnout?” Allie said. “There’s like a gazillion people here! And of course, everyone’s talking about Bruce Bailey and how he screwed up this whole Billy Brenton thing.”

  “What was he thinking making up something like that?” Lauren gratefully dug into her stuffed taco.

  “He’s running scared, obviously,” Allie said. “Of course there’s going to be a nice little editorial in the Gazette about it next week. Mimi will practically steal the election from under him.”

  “Too bad we have to wait till November,” Lauren said.

  “So, how’s business?” Allie asked.

  “I hate to jinx myself, but if even a tenth of the women who showed interest here today order something, I’ll be in trouble. There’s no way I can produce more than a few outfits a week with my current set up.”

  Dhara, who’d been assisting a customer and had obviously overheard their conversation, said, “Then prepare to be in big trouble.” She pulled out her smart phone and showed Lauren the current state of orders.

  “Oh my God,” Lauren said, staring at the phone screen in disbelief, “there’s like eight dozen orders here!”

  “And that’s just from some local marketing,” Dhara said, “Imagine how big this is going to be when we go wider.”

  “Wider?”
Lauren said weakly.

  “Don’t worry,” Dhara said, “I have three expert seamstresses on call and ready. We just need to get that equipment we talked about.”

  Equipment, materials, websites, and a lease she couldn’t count on. Well, she wanted big. She was getting big. It was exciting. And nerve-wracking, too. Lauren snarfed down the rest of the taco. She’d worry about it all later.

  “Is it all right if Henry spends the night at Cameron’s?” Tom asked. “Zeke asked and I told him it would be okay if you were cool with it.”

  An unexpected night to herself. Or, rather, all to herself and Nate. “Sounds good to me.” She waited till Allie and Tom had left. “Dhara, do you think you can handle the booth by yourself for a little bit? I’m think I’m going to get my blood pressure checked.”

  Dhara winked at her. “Go for it.”

  Lauren made her way through the throng of people. The weather had stayed nice but it was now in the high eighties. Tourists, most of them still in their bathing suits, mingled with the townspeople, taking advantage of the warm weather and the party atmosphere. Miss Erica’s Little Steppers were tap dancing on the stage and the Gray Flamingoes were handing out free T-shirts to anyone who looked over sixty-five. Despite the Billy Brenton fiasco, it was a glorious day to be a citizen of Whispering Bay.

  She spotted the first aid station and began to make her way there, when someone bumped into her from behind. Lauren turned. “I’m so sorry,” she said automatically.

  A tall woman with long red hair smiled back at her. “Lauren, isn’t it?” She took off her sunglasses. “It is you! Imagine, I know four people in Whispering Bay and I’ve run into all of them in just a matter of minutes. Gotta love small towns!”

  “Jessica? What are you doing here?” Lauren blinked. Then she blinked again. Yep. It was Jessica Hart in the flesh. And currently exposing quite a bit of it. She wore a short white skirt and a red tank top that didn’t meet, showing about four inches of tanned toned abdomen. It also looked like she was sporting some very expensive cleavage she hadn’t had before. Add to that some three inch wedge sandals and Nate’s ex, aka Jessica Rabbit, fairly towered over Lauren, who, with her sundress and flip flops suddenly felt like a frumpy midget.