Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(18)

Taryn and Consuelo both stared at the dish garden Dellina had picked up on her way over to lunch. They’d all agreed to get Bailey a small gift to celebrate her new job with the mayor. Larissa touched a couple of leaves.

“Nice,” she said. “There’s dracaena, spathiphyllum and syngonium. Pretty and it will last even if she’s not great with taking care of it.”

Taryn winced. “You frighten me.”

“I know about plants. Big whoop.”

“It’s one thing to recognize them. It’s another to know their Latin names.”

Dellina grinned as she took a seat. Her friends were nothing if not entertaining.

Larissa pointed to Taryn’s dress. “Who designed that?”

“Oscar de la Renta.”

Larissa turned to Consuelo. “And who made your pants?”

Consuelo glared at her. “Hell if I know. I get them at a surplus store or online. They’re pants.”

Dellina leaned back in her chair. “I wish Jo served popcorn because this is like live theater.”

Larissa grinned at her, then turned back to Taryn. “We all know stuff.”

“I got that. But my stuff makes sense. Yours is weird.” She looked at Consuelo. “I know better than to diss anything you know.”

“Good.” Consuelo started to say something else, then looked up. “Bailey’s here.”

They all rose and clapped as Bailey approached the table. The other woman blushed nearly as red as her hair as she drew near.

“Stop, please,” she pleaded. “You don’t have to make a fuss.”

“We’re making a fuss,” Taryn told her. “You got a great new job. A fuss is required.”

They all hugged Bailey, then took their seats. Bailey thanked them for the plant. Jo walked over and stopped at their table.

“Congratulations on the new job,” she said. “Lunch is on the house.” She paused. “For Bailey. The rest of you can still pay.”

“Of course we can,” Taryn said with a grin. “All right. I think this calls for champagne all around.”

Bailey’s mouth parted. “It’s lunchtime.”

“I know,” Taryn told her. “That’s the point. A single glass won’t hurt your work performance. This is a big deal. We’re all happy for you.”

“I like how you roll,” Dellina said.

“You’ll like her even more when I tell you she called ahead, so my best bottle is already chilled,” Jo said. “Back in a flash.”

“Champagne at lunch,” Bailey whispered. “I haven’t had any champagne since my wedding. Thank you all. You’ve been so nice to me.”

Consuelo waved away the praise. “Yeah, yeah, we’re amazing. How’s the new job?”

Bailey started talking about how much she had to learn, not only about working with Mayor Marsha but about the town government.

Dellina was more interested in the women at the table. For all Taryn’s toughness and attitude, she’d been the one to preorder champagne. And while Consuelo couldn’t handle a simple compliment or a thank-you, she would cheerfully strangle anyone who tried to hurt Bailey or her daughter. Larissa was the one Dellina knew the least, but from what she could tell, the other woman was caring and had no trouble poking fun at Taryn. A fun combination.

Jo returned with the champagne. She expertly popped the cork, then poured them each a glass.

“To new beginnings,” Taryn said to Bailey. “May you always be happy.”

Everyone joined in the toast, then they sipped. Dellina took a drink. The champagne was light and fizzy. She glanced at the bottle and saw the label read Dom Pérignon. Which was so Taryn, she thought with a grin. Well, everyone should have it at least once in their life!

She set down her glass. “Did you know Mayor Marsha had a dog?” she asked Bailey.

“No. She’s never said anything. Why?”

“She left her dog with Fayrene. I remember somebody mentioning a trip.”

“Me, too,” Taryn said. “Then everyone freaked out, as if Mayor Marsha wasn’t allowed to travel. Can’t the woman take a vacation without causing a scandal?”

“I think it’s because Mayor Marsha doesn’t go away much,” Dellina said. “I don’t remember it ever happening when I was growing up, although she must have left town sometime.”

“Where’s she going?” Larissa asked.

“New Zealand.”

“That’s far,” Dellina said, wondering how long the flight had to be. Twelve hours? Longer? “What’s there?”

“The Lord of the Rings tour,” Taryn said with a grin. “Maybe our mayor is a fan.”

“The what?” Consuelo asked. “Because of the book?”

Larissa patted her arm. “The movie. Remember from a few years back? It was a big deal. They filmed it there and I guess they left the sets in place. You can tour it all. See the hobbit village.”

Consuelo shook her head. “No way our mayor is going all the way to New Zealand to look at a bunch of fake hobbit houses. Maybe she’s going to watch Kipling Gilmore ski.”

Dellina stared at her. “You know where he’s skiing right now?”

Consuelo lifted a shoulder. “I read it in Sports Illustrated the other day. He’s there for summer skiing. Which they don’t call it there, because it’s their winter.”