A Town Called Valentine(40)

“Told you what?” Emily asked with a sigh. Rumors could transform into ugly things.

“That you and Nate got a little drunk the first night you were in town.”

Brooke gaped at her. “And you didn’t tell me?”

“So I’m supposed to tell you about your brother?” Emily threw her hands wide. “Anything else?”

“That you went into the back room to play pool, and a half hour later, you came hurrying out red-faced, and Nate looked angry.”

Well, at least the whole town didn’t know how far things had gone. “This is embarrassing.”

“You don’t need to tell us if you don’t want to,” Monica said soothingly.

“There’s nothing to really tell,” Emily insisted. “We bet a kiss on the pool game, and in the middle of the kiss, I stopped it. I’ve never drunkenly kissed a stranger before, and I was just mortified.”

“That’s all?” Brooke said, obviously a little disappointed.

“Well . . . there might have been some groping.” She closed her eyes with a groan when the two women glanced at each other and chuckled. “I don’t want to talk about my horrible behavior that night. We’ve since apologized to each other, and we’re friends.”

“Groping friends,” Monica mused thoughtfully. “Maybe I should try that.”

“We’re not groping anymore,” Emily shot back.

“Sorry if we’re too nosy,” Monica soothed. “Neither of us is dating anyone, so even hearing about drunken groping sounds more exciting than our lives have been lately.”

“Believe me, I understand,” Emily said wearily. “It’s just that . . . I’ve recently come away from a terrible marriage, and I’ll be leaving in a few weeks, and dating would just be too complicated. Nate’s been a friend.”

“That’s my brother,” Brooke drawled. “Nooo self-interest there.”

“We’re not dating!” Emily insisted. The merest thought of trusting a man again, especially now that she’d put her own future first . . . no, she had new priorities, things to accomplish on her own. “Now can I see the envelope addressed to me?” she asked sweetly.

Brooke handed it over. Emily scanned the contents, written in a cheerful manner by Howard Deering—though she could only think of him as Howie Junior, thanks to Brooke.

“Someone is interested in my building!” Emily said, grinning at her two friends.

Monica smiled. “Good for you. Do we know the person?”

“Howie—Mr. Deering—didn’t say.”

“It’s kind of strange that he wouldn’t mention the buyer,” Brooke mused.

“I’ll call.” Emily dialed the real-estate office and reached a receptionist, who gave her Howie’s cell phone. To her surprise, he hesitated about revealing the interested party, and when at last he did, she understood his reluctance. After hanging up, she put on an innocent air and took another sip of her Diet Coke.

“Well?” Brooke demanded.

Emily laughed. “You’re going to love this. The name of the company is Leather and Lace. They have another store in San Francisco, and they’re beginning to branch out. Take a guess what they sell.”

“Leather and Lace . . .” Brooke mused. “Decorated saddles?”

“You would go there.” Monica rolled her eyes. “S & M?”

“Close,” Emily said. “Naughty lingerie.”

“Ooh.” Monica looked thoughtful. “However will I concentrate on work with that next store?”

“They’re very sexy, and apparently run the gamut from really naughty to tasteful. And who says I’ll accept their offer?” she added. “They’re not making one until they see the building. And I’m not letting anyone see this disaster for a while.”

“You think they’ll fit in here?” Brooke asked. “This can be a conservative town.”

“Valentine Valley,” Emily emphasized the name. “Isn’t it all about romance? And what says romance better than honeymoon clothes?”

“I like it,” Monica said firmly.

“We’ll see if anyone else does.” Brooke looked doubtful.

“Don’t be pessimistic,” Emily said. “Someone has an actual interest in the building, and in this economy, I’ll take what I can get. Now if someone else is interested, and they start a bidding war . . . maybe I’ll have my college tuition paid for with lots to spare for a baby.” She hugged herself, pushing back her doubts and worries. “Back to work. I have to get to the hardware store.”