Unfortunately, Maizy was going out of town for a teacher’s continuing education conference that weekend. She suggested he call Roberta, which made him cringe. Roberta would get all nosey and want details about what he would be doing while she watched Patrick Junior. It almost was worth it to wait until the following weekend when Maizy would be in town.
But Roberta was willing and able…and very curious.
Chapter Seven
Lucy climbed from the car the moment she put it in park. She wasn’t going to sit behind the wheel again, giving herself a pep talk like she had at the Twisted Bull, the afternoon of her first striptease lesson. She’d been second-guessing herself since she’d finished getting ready for their date, standing in front of the mirror, surveying her appearance.
The blue and purple watercolor print made her eyes glow. The satiny stretch fabric made the dress comfortable, and the bodice cupped her breasts and drew attention to them while only revealing a bit of inviting cleavage. The bias cut of the long skirt hugged her lower torso and flared at the hips and the hem skimmed around her ankles. But then she’d gotten a look at her hind end in the mirror.
Just thinking about it made her even more self-conscious of her ass as she walked across the parking lot. She shook her head as she stepped carefully across the uneven asphalt in her high heels.
It’s with you wherever you go. Remember what Summer said. We always focus on what we perceive as flaws, making them grow in our own minds.
She turned her head sharply at the sound of shrill giggling in the parking lot and she looked around, mortified when her cheeks went up in flames. No matter how confident she felt, that sound still reduced her to a self-conscious wreck. She paused and thought about fishing in her purse for her keys.
It’s a little early. I might be able to get home and changed into slacks and that other higher-necked top if I hurry.
Her heart leapt into her throat as she glanced down the sidewalk that led along the front of the building and saw two younger couples obviously out on a date together moving toward the entrance, on a collision course with her.
Both women were in their early to mid-twenties, perfectly tanned, tall and thin, with perfect hair and nails. They were both staring right at Lucy. She hurried her steps and nearly got hit by the big oak door as it swung open. Dodging it at the last second, she was surprised when she came face-to-face with Ethan Grant, Adam Davis, Jack Warner, and Grace Warner. Adam had their daughter, Rose Marie, perched on his arm.
“Well hi, Lucy!” Grace said as she hugged her. “What a nice surprise!” Grace took one look at her outfit, as Lucy sucked in her tummy and stood up straighter, and added. “Wow! You look fantastic in that dress!”
Lucy bit her lip and felt her cheeks grow warmer as the subdued whispers of the two women filtered past them as they went inside. Their dates gave her appraising glances and one smiled at her. She looked away and smoothed her hand over her stomach and then smiled at Grace.
“Thank you.” You have no idea how much I needed that just now.
Jack said, “Grace is right. You look beautiful, Lucy. What are you up to tonight?”
“I’m meeting Beck and Patrick here in just a few minutes.” She glanced at her watch.
A knowing smile crossed Grace’s face. “So they finally asked you out on a date?”
Adam tilted his head and looked Grace’s way. “We’ve seen them out to dinner together before, don’t you remember, baby?”
Ethan chuckled and his blue eyes twinkled as he said, “Why don’t we let her get on into the restaurant. I hope you have a good time on your date, sweetie.”
Grace hugged her again and whispered. “It’s about time. Seize the day, baby.”
Lucy felt encouraged as they moved on past. Two men walked up to the door and tipped their cowboy hats at her as one of them held it open for her to enter first. She thanked them then nearly groaned as she walked into the lobby which was swamped with people. Several people turned and looked her way. The man who had held the door for her smiled as he and his friend side-stepped her. She searched the room, hoping the guys had beaten her there but no such luck.
The two women that had walked in moments before her were staring at her, and when their dates turned to look her way, both women frowned and redirected their dates’ attentions back to them.
With her heart racing, she nearly turned to leave but then thought of Patrick and Beck and how they’d feel if she wasn’t here. It was too late to go back home and change into something that drew less attention.
A stray thought entered her mind as she stood in the crowded lobby. She could almost hear Camilla whisper to her at the end of the first striptease class right before she’d hurried over to Patrick.