When We Met (Fool's Gold #13)(15)

Which was probably his strategy all along.

* * *

“I DON’T WANT to,” Larissa said, a distinct whine in her voice.

“Do I look as if I care?” Taryn asked as she parked in front of Jo’s Bar. One of the advantages of Fool’s Gold during the workweek was that nearly everyone walked everywhere. So there was always convenient parking.

In theory the restaurant was only about a quarter mile from the Score offices, but in her shoes, it might as well be fifty. Four-inch heels looked amazing but they were a bitch to walk in.

Today she was wearing black-lacquered Gucci pumps with three skinny straps across the top of her foot. Technically they had a five-inch heel, but there was a one-inch platform. They were elegant and simple, not to mention the perfect complement to her Roberto Cavalli reptile-print silk blazer. Underneath she had on a plain sheath dress.

Taryn loved clothes—probably because, until she was thirty, she’d never been able to afford anything that wasn’t secondhand. Now she was making up for lost time. And she didn’t care if everyone dressed casually in town. She didn’t and people would have to get used to that.

Larissa continued to sit in the car. “I’m scared,” she admitted. “What if no one likes me?”

Taryn angled toward her friend. “You know you’re being silly,” she said gently. “Everyone is going to love you. You’re sweet and funny and a loyal friend. What’s not to like?”

Instead of relaxing, Larissa glared at her. “You’re being nice. What’s wrong? Am I dying and don’t know it?”

Taryn sighed. “You’re not dying. I’m being supportive. I can be supportive.”

“I know. It’s not you. I really like this place and I want to fit in.”

“You fit in way more than me, and I’ve made friends.”

Larissa brightened at the thought. “You’re right. I’m much nicer than you, too. Okay, let’s go.”

Taryn collected her Prada bag. “Just give me a second to bask in the warmth of your friendship,” she muttered, then climbed out of her car.

When they were both on the sidewalk, Larissa glanced down at her jeans. She’d put a navy blazer over her pink T-shirt. Her blond hair was pulled back in its usual ponytail. “Am I dressed okay? You always look really nice.”

“No one dresses up in this town except for me,” Taryn assured her. “And the mayor, who is in her sixties. Besides, we’re having lunch in a bar.”

“I see. What’s up with that? You don’t like bars.”

“That’s because it took me two years to break the boys of the habit of having staff meetings in bars.” Taryn gave Larissa a little push toward the door. “You’ll see. This is different.”

Taryn had resisted the first time she was invited to lunch at Jo’s Bar. She hadn’t understood why the women in town wouldn’t want to go to a nice café or tea shop. But once she’d gone into the place, she understood the appeal.

She and Larissa walked into the open space and came to a stop while Larissa looked around. Taryn was already familiar with the mauve walls, flattering light and muted TVs turned to the Style network and HGTV.

There were tables along with booths, a list of specials on a chalkboard and quiet music playing in the background.

Larissa grinned. “Nice. Where do the guys hang out?”

“They have a room in the back. I’ve heard that at night this is more of a couples place, but during the day, the ladies rule.”

She spotted Dellina, Isabel and Noelle sitting at a round table. “Over there,” Taryn said, leading the way.

“Are they smiling?”

Taryn rolled her eyes. “You’re a freak, you know that.”

“Yeah, that’s hardly news.”

“Hi, all,” Taryn said as she approached the table. “This is my friend Larissa. She works for Score. She’s Jack’s personal assistant and the boys’ masseuse. While she’s a wonderful person, don’t agree to help her with any projects. Larissa was born to rescue the world. Seriously, if you let her, she’ll talk you into helping her save some endangered leaf or raid an elementary school to help with a hamster rescue.”

“I would never rescue hamsters from schoolkids,” Larissa told her. “I trust them to care for their pets.”

“So you say now.” Taryn pointed to the table. “Dellina is an event planner. Noelle owns The Christmas Attic, an adorable store on Fourth Street. Everything Christmas, of course, but also seasonal gifty things. Shop there for your mother. Trust me, she’ll love whatever you buy from Noelle. Isabel owns Paper Moon. It used to be a bridal gown shop. Now she also sells yummy clothes and I’m spending way too much money there.”

All three women greeted Taryn and Larissa. Isabel pulled out the seat next to her.

“Taryn, your new suit is back from the tailor,” Isabel told her. “Whenever you want to pick it up.”

“Thanks.” She settled in, then watched as Larissa sat across from her between Noelle and Dellina.

Last fall, when she’d first visited Fool’s Gold, she was convinced she would hate living there. Nothing about a small town appealed to her. But now she had to admit, the place had grown on her. She’d made friends and settled into the comfortable rhythm of a life defined by which festival was next.