Page 53 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

“Nothing.” Kate nodded at Stella coming toward us with five dresses. “Someone knows how to pick them.”

“So, do you think something is up with Isaac and Stella?” I asked quickly.

“Why don’t you ask her?” There was a challenge in her voice.

“No way. It’s none of my business.”

Stella glanced at Kate and me and frowned. “Both of you still have only one.”

“Must not be a good shopping day for us,” I said. “Shall we go to the dressing room?”

Stella pivoted and led the way. Just as we went to our individual dressing rooms, Stella looked over her shoulder and said, “Oh, I forgot. Isaac told me to say hello. And if you’re wondering about Isaac and me, we’re going on our first date soon.”

“What? When?” I grabbed Stella’s arm.

“Isaac asked me out at the beach house.” Her smile widened. “He’s taking me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

Stella had dated someone for a long time, but they’d broken up when she’d graduated from college. That was all Kate and I knew about her relationship. She didn’t talk about her love life, and we never asked.

We modeled the dresses for each other, and Kate and I both went with the dresses we’d first picked out. On our way to the food court, I stopped at the children’s store and bought Tyler a pair of jeans. While we ate, I brought up work, even though I had told myself I wouldn’t. But we had to decide on who to hire, and I wanted whoever we chose to start right away.

We’d held the last of the interviews the day before, and we’d narrowed the choices down to two candidates: Liam and Cecelia, who Kate had interviewed. Her résumé was impressive, however, I hadn’t gotten a chance to meet her in person.

“So, Liam or Cecelia?” Kate bit into a hard-shell taco, holding her hand underneath as it crumbled.

Stella’s straw popped out of her mouth. “Liam. Definitely.”

I glared at her. “You want Liam because you think he’s cute.”

“I do not.” Stella snorted, twirling chow mein noodles with her chopsticks. “I’m dating Isaac now, remember?” She raised her chin as if she’d just said she was dating a king.

“Well …” Kate forked up corn and strips of lettuce that fell from her taco. She looked pensive, her eyes on her plate.

“You going to make us guess?” Stella said in her usually light but sarcastic tone.

“Oh, sorry.” Kate shook her head. “I was thinking about the two candidates. They’re both strong, but have different strengths, and Abby and I are sort of biased toward the one we interviewed, as they both made a good impression. This is so hard.” She blew out a breath.

I pointed at my sister’s forehead and perked my lips, trying not to laugh. “You got guacamole on your face.”

She wiped with a napkin and tilted her forehead toward me. “Is it gone?”

I smeared the morsel she hadn’t caught. My sister was always getting paint on herself, on her clothes, and also making a mess while eating. We made a good pair, as I tried to be tidy and well organized.

“We’re getting off-topic,” Stella whined. “I looked all through their websites, and I also snooped around their social media.”

“You did?” I took a spoonful of rice and beef.

Some companies went through interviewees’ social media sites to check if they were political or had any red flags. I couldn’t do it, but I had thought about it. Personal lives were none of my business. But I also had to think of the gallery’s reputation and the group dynamics, so I was thankful Stella had done it.

Stella waggled her eyebrows. “They’re both fine. But …” She held up a finger. “Liam has a decent-sized platform and engaged followers. They love his style. We can put him in charge of social media sites. My followers are basically my friends and family, but Liam’s followers are art fanatics from all over the world.”

“I agree with Stella,” Kate said. “Let’s hire Liam.”

“Then that settles it. I’ll call him first thing Monday morning.” I picked up my drink and gulped iced tea, glad to settle the issue.

My phone buzzed. My heart leaped as thoughts of something bad happening to Tyler rushed to my mind. Lee was watching him. My son was fine, I reminded myself.

The text wasn’t from Lee, but Ian. He sent me a photo of Tyler, Lee, Bridget, and himself. Seeing the four of them warmed my heart.