“You’re not?”
“I don’t want you taking any chances.”
“Funny. It seems like my biggest risk is you, not him.”
Caleb didn’t seem to have an answer for that, and he obviously didn’t care that it was true. Jules reminded herself that it was true. He was her biggest risk because he cared only about his own interests. She had to remember that.
* * *
Jules stood in front of the mirror in the loft bedroom she was sharing with her sister.
“It seems silly not to tell me where we’re going,” she said to Melissa who was sprawled across the plaid bedspread on one of the two twin beds.
“I’d call it romantic, but I still think this whole date thing is strange.”
Jules didn’t want to rehash her decision. “Strange or not, I have to wear something.”
“Go middle of the road,” Melissa said, sitting up cross-legged. “That’s way too fancy.”
“You think?” Jules turned one way and then the other in her high heels.
The little black dress was her favorite. Held up by spaghetti straps, it was sparkly, short and sassy, with just enough swish in the skirt to make dancing fun.
“Do you want to change his mind about the easement or get him naked?”
Jules made a face at her sister. “Change his mind about the easement.” But then she had to shake away an image of Caleb naked. That wasn’t where she was going tonight, not at all.
“Then, unless you’re heading for a high-end club... Do you think he’ll take you clubbing?”
Jules couldn’t begin to guess. “Last time he took me to a drive-through. Not that it was a date. I mean, there obviously wasn’t a ‘last time’ to compare this to. But he did seem to think the drive-through would be a terrible date.”
“And you jumped from that to glitz and glam?”
“You think pants? I’ve got skinny jeans and that leather-trimmed sweater.”
“Too far the other way.” Melissa unfolded her legs and came to her feet.
She headed for their shared dresser and pulled open a middle drawer.
Jules kicked off the shoes, stripped off the dress and hung it in the makeshift closet. Years ago, their grandfather had attached a piece of doweling across one corner of the room. Their grandmother had sewed a cotton floral curtain to cover it, and it had been the room’s closet ever since.
“What about these?” Melissa produced a pair of snug-fitting black slacks. “Your black ankle boots with my silky pink tank. You can layer on some gold necklaces, big earrings, and you’re good to go.”
“You have better clothes than me,” Jules couldn’t help commenting as she stepped into the pants.
“I spent forever in your hand-me-downs. I deserve a few nice things.”
“I think you might just have better taste.” Jules didn’t go out very often. That, combined with their years’-long focus on building up their savings account, meant she didn’t have a particularly extensive wardrobe.
She slipped into the bright pink tank top. It was supple and soft against her skin.
“That looks great on you,” Melissa said.
Jules turned to the mirror. “I think this’ll work. The boots are comfortable in case we walk anywhere. But I look good from the waist up if the place is fancy.”
“You look good from the waist down, too. Are you sure this is a smart idea?”
“It’s the best idea I’ve got.”
No matter how confusing the tactic might seem, Jules needed to humor Caleb to keep him away from turning his attention to Melissa.
“Your emotions are muddled,” Melissa said quietly. “On some level, you want the date. Because this really isn’t the best way to change his mind.”
“Quit worrying, and let me try. You know he has the upper hand right now. We can bluff and bluster all we want, but we can’t afford much in the way of lawyers. We have to appeal to his sense of decency.”
“You think he’s decent?”
“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”
Melissa put a hand on Jules’s shoulder, and their gazes met in the mirror. “You’re my big sister, and I respect your judgment. But you really don’t have to do this.”
“You’re my little sister, and I respect your opinion, but I know exactly what I’m doing.” Jules mustered up a carefree smile. “It’s a date. It’s not like I’m going bull-riding or base jumping. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Melissa mimicked their father’s voice. “You, young lady, could come home pregnant.”
Jules couldn’t help but crack a smile. “You know, I honestly think Dad would prefer me getting pregnant to us reopening the Crab Shack.”