“You two are still friends… even after the breakup?”
I took off the lid to my coffee, swallowing down the ache in my throat. “I wouldn’t say friends, no. But there are no hard feelings between us.” I blew on the steaming liquid, ready to change the subject. “Did Eli end up texting you that song of the day?”
“He did, actually. Texted a casualOh, forgot to send you the song. Here you go.”
I took a sip. It was damn good coffee. “See, I told you.”
“Yeah, but it feels like things are just back to normal again.”
“And let them stay like that for another week.”
“Then what?”
“You tell him about a crush of your own.”
She made a face like she didn’t like the idea. “You mean lie.”
“A harmless lie,” I added. “Never underestimate the power of jealousy.”
“Excuse me?” A woman who looked about mid to late forties smiled down at us. “Are you the ones I’m supposed to meet?”
I took in the “before” person standing in front of me. She was taller than average, but by the way she slouched, I could see she might have an issue with that. Her clothes draped on her frame, a bit on the frumpy side. Her dark brown hair was pulled back in a twisted bun that exaggerated her long face. But she had Elizabeth Taylor eyes… a blue so deep they were almost violet, and lashes that went on for days.
I stood to greet her. “You must be Penelope, I’m Vivian.”
“Hi, please, call me Penny.” She shook my hand before sitting down. “Thank you so much for choosing me.”
“We loved your short essay on why you wanted to do this.” I sipped my coffee. “This is Becky, she’ll be writing the piece, and consider me your personal stylist.”
Penny’s hand trembled as she reached for her coffee. “I’m excited, but really nervous too.”
“Nervous about the makeover or your reunion date?” I gave her a warm smile, softening my voice a bit.
“I think both?” She fumbled with the lid, spilling coffee all over the table in the process. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
Becky got up and ran for some napkins.
“It’s fine,” I said and went to the chair next to hers. “There’s no pressure here, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Let’s forget the makeover and the date for now and tell me some of your favorite songs.”
She looked up at me, a bit confused. “My favorite songs?”
“Yes, give me three songs or artists you absolutely couldn’t live without.”
Her cheeks blushed, but that smile was broad and deep. “I have a thing for eighties duets.”
I grabbed my phone and opened my iTunes. “I don’t know any,” I lied. “ But I would love to hear some. Which ones should I listen to first?”
“‘Up Where We Belong’ by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker is a must on your list.” Her shoulders relaxed a little more. “It was the main song in that movieAn Officer and a Gentleman. Really great romance flick… if you’re into that.”
“I am. What other songs should I listen to?”
Becky watched us as she finished wiping up the table.
“‘Islands in the Stream’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. A really good one.”
