“So, what do you have going on today?”
“Yard work and packing. Are we going to see you before we leave?” he asks.
“Yeah, Mom invited Dawn and me to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Good. I’ll see you then. Thanks, sweetheart.”
“You’re welcome. Give Mom a hug for me.”
“Will do,” he says, and the line goes dead.
I drop my phone and burrow back under the covers, but it’s useless; I’m up and can’t get back to sleep. I decide to get moving, hoping Dawn might want to go to the mall. This warm May weather has me ready to add to my summer wardrobe. I take my time in the shower before making my way to the kitchen, popping a bagel into the toaster just as Dawn emerges from her room.
“You’re up early,” she says, noticing I’m ready for the day.
“Yeah. Dad called at eight and woke me up. You got plans today?”
“Nope, you?”
“Thinking about going to the mall.”
“Yes! Retail therapy. I need to update my summer wardrobe.”
This is why we’re best friends. We share a brain sometimes—at least, it seems that way.
“Sounds like a plan. They don’t open until ten though, so we have some time.”
Dawn pops her own bagel in the toaster. “We need to eat lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. That place is soooo good.”
“Deal.” I dive into my bagel and mentally go over my finances, working out a budget for today’s shopping adventure.
Five hours later, both Dawn and I are exhausted from a full day of shopping. The pre-Memorial Day sales were in full swing, and we got some great deals.
“Feed me, woman,” Dawn says dramatically.
“I’m starving too. That bagel lost its effect hours ago,” I admit.
We drag our bags out to my car then head back in to the Cheesecake Factory. We’re standing in line waiting for a table when I hear my name.
“Kendall.”
I turn and see Reagan standing there with her mom. “Hey, stranger,” I greet her. “Dawn, this is Reagan, a friend from high school, Reagan, this is my best friend and roommate, Dawn,” I introduce them.
“Flat-tire girl.” Reagan smirks.
Dawn laughs. “Yep, that’s me. He really did save me,” she insists.
“Mom, this is the girl Ridge stopped to help that night. The night of the accident.” She says the last bit softly.
Her mother’s eyes show recognition. “It’s nice to meet you, ladies.”
“Hi, how many?” the hostess asks.
“You guys want to join us?” I offer. This place is crazy packed, so it could be a while otherwise.
“We don’t want to intrude,” her mom replies.
“Actually, I have a table for four now. Don’t know how long until another opens,” the hostess offers.
“Well, if you don’t mind,” Reagan says.
“Not at all,” Dawn assures them. “Besides, Kendall tells me that your brother has some good-looking friends, so we need to chat.” She links her arm through Reagan’s and we follow the hostess to our table.
I look over at her mom. “Sorry about that. She really has no filter.”
“No need. You’ve met my children, right? Not to mention that she’s right—or you are, rather. Those boys, all five of them, are more handsome than should be allowed. All good boys too,” she adds.
“I have to show you this outfit,” Reagan says once we’re seated. She reaches down and digs through her bags. “Look at this.” She holds up the smallest pair of Levi’s jeans I have ever seen. With it is a short-sleeve plaid shirt. “Isn’t it adorable?”
“It really is. Those jeans are too cute,” I agree.
“They had shorts too.” She holds up a tiny pair of blue jean shorts. “This having a nephew business is going to cause me to go bankrupt. I’m going to have to increase my schedule at the shop,” she comments.
“What do you do?” Dawn asks her.
“I own my own salon on Main Street, called Reagan’s.” She grins.
“I am long overdue,” I tell her. “I don’t think I’ve had my hair done since moving back six months ago. It’s on the to-do list.”
“Six months? I can’t tell; your hair is beautiful as ever. I’ve always wanted your hair.”
“It’s the curls. She can hide it. Now me, on the other hand, not so much. I went to Macy’s salon, but I wasn’t impressed with how she cut it. I can’t get it to lay right. You up for the challenge?” Dawn asks her.
“You know it. Call me next week, and I’ll work you both in. Better yet, what are you all doing tonight? We can meet at the shop later.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her.
She waves off my concern. “No problem. I’ve been off several days helping Ridge get settled, so it’ll be good for me to get back in the swing of things before Monday.”
“I’m in,” Dawn announces.
Well, okay then. “All right, if you’re sure?” I say.
“Positive. What’s the fun of owning your own shop if you can’t use it whenever you want? Meet me there at six? Give me your number, and I’ll text you the address.”
I rattle off my number and not a minute later my phone pings with her text. We spend the rest of our lunch catching up, she and her mom showing us the deals they got for Baby Knox. He’s spoiled already. Splitting the tip, we part ways with the promise to meet Reagan at the shop at six. It gives us just enough time to run home, unload our loot from today, and change before heading back out.