1
“Is this a blind date?” Maileah knew her sister meant well, but this sounded suspicious. She twirled her dish towel while Junie blushed a little.
“I wouldn’t call it that,” Junie replied, scrubbing a pot that was undoubtedly clean enough. “Todd just moved here. When he came into the gift shop and asked if I knew anyone who could show him around town, I thought of you.”
“Still sounds like a setup. I’m not going to cart a strange guy around town.”
“Then meet him for coffee and tell him about some places.”
“As if I’m the one with a social life. And it better be good coffee.”
“You said you want to meet someone of quality.” Junie doubled down on her pasta pot, scouring it with a vengeance. “I’m only trying to help.”
Maileah glanced at the clock. She hated to admit how much she longed for someone in her life. But not just anyone. Clearing her throat, she said, “Knox should be here soon.”
They had just finished supper at Junie’s house on Sunshine Avenue. Her sister’s boyfriend had bought the houseadjacent to hers, and Knox usually visited after tucking his daughter into bed for the night. Junie often made dessert for him.
The whole scene was so sweet it made Maileah’s heart ache for that kind of love in her life.
Knox’s parents also lived in the house, so they looked after little Penny, too. The two beach houses were separated by a thriving vegetable garden.
Junie flicked a glance through the open kitchen window. The sun had set, and the onshore ocean breeze carried the low, rhythmic sound of waves. “I hope you don’t mind him being here so much.”
“It’s your house, and I’m happy for you.” How could Maileah begrudge her sister, who’d been widowed far too young? Junie was still young enough to start the family she’d always wanted.
Maileah only wished she could do the same. Since her last disastrous boyfriend in Seattle, she had decided to make significant changes—a whole life makeover, or whatever it would take to start over. She wished she could attract genuine men as Junie did. Her sister called her the family wild child.
Maileah bit her lip. Her sister wasn’t mistaken. She sighed and tried to recall how she’d gotten so far off track.
In a few short years, she’d be forty. Most of her friends had passed her by in the game of life; they had spouses, kids, homes, and careers. Somehow, she’d missed the memo on how to achieve all that. Now was her last chance.
Junie glanced at her. “So, what do you think about meeting Todd?”
“It sounds a little suspicious,” Maileah replied slowly. “I’ve moved before, and I have never asked a woman in a gift shop if she knew anyone who could introduce me or show me around. That seems weird. Are you sure he’s not interested in you?”
“Of course not,” Junie replied, her voice a little too bright. “Knox came in while we were talking. He agreed that Todd seemed nice.”
“And if you scrub that pot anymore, you’ll make a hole in it.” Maileah twirled her dishtowel. She could always tell when Junie was withholding details from her. “You’re the worst liar I’ve ever known.”
A guilty look flashed across her sister’s face. With a puff of exasperation, Junie rinsed the pot and gave it to her. “I’m concerned about you, that’s all. Todd might be good for you. Maybe I was the one to suggest it.”
“Uh-huh. Now we’re getting somewhere. You asked if he was married.”
“It just came up.” Junie shrugged, clearly embarrassed by her little fib. “All right, I asked him. Since you’re on that weird dating app, I thought I’d look out for you, too.”
“I appreciate that, but we’ve never had the same taste in men.” As soon as she said that, Maileah caught herself.
If she was honest with herself, Junie had better taste in men than she did. The bad boys might have been fun for years, but unlike wine, they didn’t necessarily age well. They were more like fizzy pop. You had to drink up right away because the relationship would soon go flat.
Junie turned off the faucet and dried her hands. “Would you trust me for once?”
Maileah expelled a breath of resignation. “Okay, I’ll take his number. But what makes you think I’ll like him? We’ve never even liked the same shoes. You wore Barbie-pink glitter sneakers in high school, and I was into black combat boots.”
“I just have a feeling. And you can borrow my shoes anytime now.” A smile blossomed on Junie’s face, and she reached into her pocket. “Here’s his number. What if he’s the one?”
Maileah crumpled the paper and stuffed it into the pocket of her jeans. “I’d ask him what took him so long.”
Her sister’s smile slipped. “Please don’t do that. He seems like a genuine guy. He might not grasp your sense of humor.”
