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They’d grown even closer since she’d decided to stay in Fairhaven Falls, but as much as she loved her friend, she couldn’t help wishing she’d chosen a better time.
“Would you like to go to…” The words broke off as her friend took another look at her. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
She hastily picked up a stack of invoices and started going through them, sure that she was blushing.
“I don’t know, you look flushed.”
“Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
“Oh, I hope not. I was just coming to ask if you’d like to go to the Fall Festival this weekend.”
“I don’t think I can. You know the restaurant always gets busier when there’s a festival in town so Damian usually likes to open up for lunch.”
Wendy grinned at her.
“Yes, but this time he’s going to manage the restaurant so you can have an afternoon off for a change.”
“I don’t need an afternoon off. I’m fine.”
“Yes, you do. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Flora agreed with me,” Wendy finished triumphantly, as if that settled the matter. Unfortunately, it probably did.
Flora was an orc but she took after the fairy in her ancestors. Even though she appeared to be nothing more than a harmless little old lady, everyone in town knew better. Flora had her pulse on everything, and she could never resist meddling. Her intentions were always good and it was hard to argue with the results, but that didn’t make it any easier if she set her sights on you. She sighed.
“Why does Flora think I need to get out? I’m perfectly happy here.”
Wendy shrugged.
“Her exact words were that you were an attractive young woman, and you shouldn’t be keeping yourself locked away in some musty old house waiting for the right man to materialize.”
Materialize?She gave a startled jerk. Flora couldn’t possibly know about Leo, could she?
“Of course, Damian immediately took offense to the comment about the restaurant being musty,” Wendy continued cheerfully,“but he agreed to take over. So, that means you’re coming with me, right?”
She gave in to the inevitable.
“I suppose so, although I don’t really have anything to wear.”
“Nonsense. The dress you have on is very pretty.”
“It is pretty, but it’s hardly suitable for walking around outside in the cold.”
“That’s true. Let me think.”
Wendy hummed thoughtfully, and Jessica winced at the speculative look on her face. Wendy loved clothes, and she was always beautifully dressed. She tended to favor vintage styles which flattered her full figure, like the pretty blue polka dot dress that she was wearing now, complete with a ruffled lace petticoat peeking out from beneath the skirt. As much as it suited her friend, it was not her style.
“I could just wear my cloak,” she said quickly. Midnight blue velvet with a sprinkle of tiny stars across the shoulders, it might be a little overdressed for a small town festival but it was warm and safe and concealing. Unfortunately, Wendy was already shaking her head.
“I think we can do better than that. Just leave it to me.” Wendy reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t pick out anything you don’t like.”
There was a world of sympathy in Wendy’s eyes. Although they’d never explicitly discussed Jessica’s past, she suspected she’d revealed enough for Wendy to understand why she chose to dress the way she did. She gave her friend a somewhat shaky smile and Wendy squeezed her hand again, then grinned.
“And who knows, perhaps you’ll meet the man of your dreams.”
I’ve already met the man of my dreams, she thought hopelessly, as Wendy suddenly shivered.
“Brrr. Maybe we should talk to Damian about getting some storm windows or something. The temperature in here must have dropped ten degrees with that draft.”
