Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  The manager brought back the dress and carefully helped Lana try it on. When Lana turned around to model it for me, I admit, I got a little teary-eyed. She had never looked so beautiful, and that is saying a lot. The dress was perfect, other than the fact that the hemline was a little long, but that could easily be remedied.

  “You’re stunning, sugar.”

  She brought her hands up to her face that seemed like it was going to burst from smiling so big. “I love it.”

  I looked at the manager. “I think we will take the dress.”

  “Excellent,” she replied.

  I probably should have looked at the price tag before I said that. My jaw almost dropped to the floor when I got around to looking. My brother was going to kill me, but I couldn’t tell her no now. I decided I would pay for half. What were aunts for, anyway?

  He was still going to have to pay for the alterations.

  The boutique offered alterations, but Cissy was a world-class seamstress and she would have been offended if we didn’t use her, plus she would do the job for a steal of a price. Besides, leaving the dress was not an option for Lana. I could picture her lying on her bed at home and staring at it for hours on end. There’s nothing like your first prom dress.

  “All right, sugar, now it’s time to help your aunt update her wardrobe.” We walked out of the boutique with her dress in hand. I walked, she floated.

  “Oooh, fun. Can we look at shoes, too?”

  “What would shopping be without looking at new shoes?”

  “I’m so glad Max is tall so I can wear heels.”

  “Yeah, that’s a real plus.”

  “Aunt Kenadie, Max is a good guy, you’ll see.”

  I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I hope so. Let’s see if we can set my debit card on fire.” Although it was plenty warm from paying for half of Lana’s dress.

  She giggled. “Maybe you could buy some clothes that aren’t black.”

  I laughed. “Have you been talking to Zander?”

  “No, my dad.”

  “And what does my dear brother have to say about my fashion choices?”

  “That you’re beautiful but you do a good job of hiding it.”

  Ouch. Does everyone around me think I need help?

  On that note, I did some pretty hefty damage to my checking account. I felt like my wardrobe was one thing I could fix. I forced myself not to buy anything black. I hadn’t realized I had fallen into such a trap. I thought I was stylish, but maybe Zander was right. I was dressing like I was the Black Widow.

  I stared at myself in the dressing room mirror. I wore a sleeveless raspberry-colored dress that hugged all of my curves nicely. I almost didn’t recognize myself, or the pop of color in my cheeks. I walked out to show Lana. “So, what do you think?”

  She smiled that dazzling smile of hers. “Oooo la la.”

  “You’re silly.”

  “I’m serious, you look like a hottie.”

  “I’m too old to be considered a hottie.”

  She laughed at me.

  I guessed that meant I was taking the dress along with several other colorful items. It was weird, but I almost felt naked trying on non-black clothes. We can hide behind odd things sometimes.

  By late afternoon, we were shopped out and Momma was dying to see the dress we had picked out for Lana, so we left the shopping center loaded down with bags galore. There were so many, they filled my Prius.

  Momma greeted us before we made it to the back door. She sat on her porch with sweet tea in hand and one of her fine Southern sun hats on. She looked like a movie star. “There are my girls.” She smiled at the garment bag filled with our find for the day as we approached her.

  “Hi, Momma.”

  “Nana.” Lana hurried to greet her grandma.

  Momma was more enthusiastic about her granddaughter than her daughter. We all knew Lana was the apple of her eye. I wasn’t jealous in the least bit. Lana was everyone’s pride and joy. After all, she was the only hope to carry on the Marshall name.

  Lana was immediately pulled into the house so that she could model her dress for her nana. I don’t know who was more excited, my momma or my niece. Since we were all comfortable with each other, Lana stripped down to her undies and we helped her into her gown. I zipped it up carefully.

  “Oh, yes. You are perfection.” Momma admired Lana. “Nicely done, Kennie.”

  “Lana picked it out, not me.”

  She placed her hand on Lana’s cheek. “You are turning into a fine Southern-bred woman.”

  “I’ve learned from the best.”

  Words like those were why she was Momma’s favorite.

  “We must talk makeup and hairstyles,” Momma said.

  “I think I’m going to go with my hair down; Max likes it best that way.”

  I couldn’t say anything to the contrary since Momma was present, although those words made my skin crawl. I was saved by Zander calling. I excused myself and answered the phone.

  “Hey, darlin’.”

  “Hey there.”

  “Jason was wondering if you bought those zebra-striped panties.”

  I could hear Jason in the background denying the accusation.

  “How old are you?”

  He laughed. “Old enough to know how good you would look in those panties.”

  “Is there a purpose for you calling other than to prove how insane I am for still being friends with you?”

  “You know you love me.”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Jason and I are going to swing by your place and pick you up for dinner.”

  “Don’t you think you should ask if I have plans first?”

  “I know you don’t.”

  “You know no such thing.”

  “Come on Kenz, you know that’s not true.”

  “For your information I do have plans.”

  “Painting your toenails doesn’t count.”

  “Well, it does according to my momma, but I have pies and rolls to make for tomorrow.”

  “How old are you?” he threw back at me.

  “Old enough to know better.”

  “Come out with us. Jason promises he won’t even try to pay for you.”

  “Did you have to bring that up? My answer is still no.”

  “You know I’m coming over to get you anyway, so you might as well get ready.”

  “I’m still at Momma’s.”

  “So, we’ll pick you up in two hours.”

  I sighed loudly. I had no desire to see Jason ever again. I had already embarrassed myself in front of him, and if Momma ever found out I went to dinner with them again, she would be relentless in her conjecturing. Easter was going to be bad enough. I was already thinking of ways to avoid him. “Zander, I …”

  “See you soon,” he cut me off.

  I threw my phone into my bag. I was half-annoyed and maybe a smidgen touched. I loved that Zander always made sure I wasn’t leading a completely sorry existence, even if he did it in the most irritating way possible.

  Lana was back in her regular clothes by the time I returned. Momma was fussing and playing with her hair.

  “I’m going to head home.”

  “Already?” Momma asked.

  “I’m going out to dinner with Zander.”

  Momma looked up at me through the mirror with an evil gleam in her eye. “That Jason wouldn’t happen to be going with you, would he now?”

  I had two options and neither of them were good. I could lie, which I was terrible at, or I could give my momma false hope and me a headache. I decided I would be needing a lot of Advil. “Yes, but please don’t read anything into that.”

  “He’s such a handsome man. Polite, too.”

  “I guess so.”

  “Kenadie Anne, open your eyes.”

  “Believe me, my eyes are wide open.”

  “Who’s Jason?” Lana headed off my mother’s lecture.

  “He’s a friend of Zander’s,” I in
formed her.

  “And he’s perfect for your aunt, only she refuses to see it.”

  My head already hurt. “Momma, you talked to him for an hour. You can’t possibly judge that; besides I’m done with …”

  “Don’t say it, Kenadie Anne.”

  “Will you please accept my choice?”

  “No.”

  I approached them both. I kissed Momma on the cheek and hugged Lana. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Then I remembered something. I pulled out an envelope from my bag. “Please give this to your daddy.” I handed the envelope to Lana. He was picking her up there as soon as he left the clinic.

  “Okay, Aunt Kenadie. Thank you for taking me shopping. I love my dress.”

  “Anytime, sugar.”

  Momma pulled me to her. “I love you, Kennie. I only want you to be happy.”

  “I don’t need a man to make me happy.”

  “It couldn’t hurt.”

  “I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Please be nice to Jason,” she called out after me.

  I rubbed my head. I had a major headache coming on.

  Chapter Five

  Zander texted and instructed me to dress casual. I texted back that I wasn’t going. He declined my decline.

  I looked at myself in the mirror. I wore my new red, long-sleeve shirt that barely came off my shoulders and hugged me tight at the waist. I paired it with some of my favorite faded blue jeans and leather wedges. Not bad, I thought. I added a little volume to my hair and called it good.

  Within minutes, Zander came through my door, and with him came Jason. I don’t know why, but it felt weird having Jason in my condo. Maybe because I never had anybody but Zander or my family over.

  “Dang, Kenz, you’re making me wish we were friends with some benefits.”

  I smacked him on the arm. “I sign your paycheck, what more could you want from me?”

  Jason laughed.

  “Since you have to ask, it’s probably a moot point. By the way, I want a raise.”

  “Why did I agree to go out with you tonight?”

  Zander pulled me to him for a bear hug. “Because you worship me, and you’re looking too good to stay in. I love the red. It suits you.”

  “Thanks,” I whispered.

  Zander let me go and I noticed Jason staring at us. “Hi, Kenadie. You have a nice place here.”

  I looked around at my small condo. It was nice. I was lucky enough to have worked for Adelaide’s home decorating studio for a couple summers during college. Although I was designing a program for her to keep track of her orders and clients, I picked up some valuable tidbits on how to coordinate colors, fabrics, and even how to paint properly. I loved the glacier lake color on my walls. Depending on the lighting, it looked like a subtle blue or gray. It went perfectly with the charcoal gray furniture, and the pops of yellow and deep blue.

  “Thank you,” I responded, although I was wishing he weren’t there. I know Zander said I needed to open myself up to other friendships, but I was thinking more along the lines of the female variety, and not someone who had my momma thinking crazy things. Especially not someone who knew what a head case I was, and that I was left at the altar.

  All that said, Jason stood there and smiled at me kindly in his own faded blue jeans and a University of Texas t-shirt. The look suited him well.

  “You ready to go?” Zander asked me.

  “I suppose.” I grabbed my bag. “Where are we going anyway?”

  “You’ll see.” Zander took my hand and led me out my own door which he locked with his key.

  I noticed Jason noticing us again. I supposed Zander’s and my relationship looked odd to someone on the outside. As weird as it sounded, we acted like some old married couple, but we weren’t in love. We loved each other all right, but not romantically.

  “How was shopping with your niece?” Jason walked beside me as we made our way toward the parking lot.

  “Successful. We found the perfect dress.”

  “Did Nanette approve?” Zander asked.

  “Resoundingly.”

  “Did you get some new panties?” Zander gave my hand a little squeeze.

  I let go of his hand and smacked the back of his head. It was one thing for us to joke about those kinds of things when we were alone, but he didn’t need to talk about my underwear in front of Jason. I could tell Jason was uncomfortable with the subject as well.

  Zander laughed and took my hand back.

  “Do you want me to drive?” I asked, hoping they would say yes. I had no desire to squeeze in the back of Zander’s car. My car wasn’t that roomy either, but at least we wouldn’t feel like sardines in my car.

  “Don’t worry, Jason offered to drive. Besides, we can’t be seen in a Prius, people may get the wrong idea about us.”

  “What? That we are environmentally responsible?”

  “No, boring.”

  I didn’t even respond to his idiocy, but I was happy that Jason was driving. He owned one of the newer four-door Jeeps. That would give each of us plenty of room, as both Zander and Jason were tall.

  We all walked to the passenger side, which was weird. What was weirder was Jason opened the front passenger side door.

  “Thanks, man.” Zander patted Jason on the back. “What a gentleman you are to open my door.”

  “As pretty as you are for a guy, this is for Kenadie.”

  “I’ll take the compliment and sit in the backseat,” Zander replied.

  “That’s okay, you two lovebirds can take the front.” I reached for the back door.

  “Sorry, that won’t do.” Jason opened the front door for me.

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “Besides having to be with Zander all day already, my mom and sister would kill me if they knew I let a woman take the backseat.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  Zander pushed me toward the door Jason held open. “Come on, Kenz.”

  “Fine.” I only did it because I didn’t want Jason to think I was any weirder than he already did.

  “I know it’s terrible to have to be seen with me, but thanks for keeping my female relatives happy with me.” He had this way of easing an awkward situation and I appreciated it.

  “I’d hate for your mom to be unhappy with you. Thank you.” I climbed in.

  He smiled warmly before shutting my door. I found myself smiling back at him.

  Zander got in behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and the bucket seat I sat in. “I’m proud of you, weirdo,” he whispered in my ear.

  As soon as Jason got in the driver’s side, Zander released me. I thought about Zander’s words and wondered what normal meant anymore, or at least what normal should be or could be.

  “So how does pizza and bowling sound?” Zander asked from the back.

  “Pizza, yes. Bowling, no.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not wearing socks and I refuse to put my feet in used shoes without them.”

  “No, problem, I’ve got you covered.”

  “I’m not wearing your socks, either.”

  Jason chuckled as he carefully paid attention to the road. Riding with him was much more pleasant than with Zander. I actually felt safe and like I would arrive in one piece at our destination.

  Zander reached over the seat and dropped a zebra-striped bag in my hand. I was going to kill him later for that.

  “What’s this?” I scowled at the bag.

  “Look inside and find out,” Zander replied.

  I looked at Jason and noticed he suddenly looked wary. I wondered if he knew what was in the bag.

  I removed the pink tissue paper and, to my displeasure, I found leopard print socks. I threw the bag, with the socks still in it, back at my idiot best friend. “You’re such a jerk sometimes.”

  He was laughing so hard he barely managed to respond, “I thought they would go perfect with your new panties.”

  I noticed Jason cringe at the word pa
nties.

  “Do you think you could take me home?” I asked Jason.

  “Now, come on, Kenz. Don’t be like that,” Zander interrupted before Jason could answer me.

  I ignored him and continued to look at Jason.

  He glanced at me briefly. “If that’s what you want. Or we could drop off the jerk in the backseat.”

  “Et tu, Brute?” Zander accused Jason.

  We both ignored the broken Latin being spoken from the backseat.

  “That’s an option,” I said to Jason.

  “Should we drop him off at home or make him walk?” Jason grinned at me.

  “We could drop him off at the bus stop,” I suggested.

  “A little public transportation would probably do him good.”

  “So this is how it is now? My two best friends have joined forces against me?”

  “Did you hear something?” I asked Jason.

  Zander reached up and put his arms around me and kissed my cheek. “You know you love me, Kenz.”

  “Say the word and he’s gone.” Jason smiled over at me.

  “Perhaps we could give him one more chance.”

  “Hmm …” Jason contemplated. “We could make him pay for dinner.”

  “Ah, ah, ah, you forgot, Kenz never lets a man pay for her.”

  “Maybe I’ll make an exception tonight.”

  “If that’s the case, I’ll gladly pay for you,” Zander replied.

  “Since that would bring you some pleasure, the answer is no.”

  “You’re a cruel woman, Kenz.”

  “You’re a butthead, Zander.”

  “But I’m a butthead who loves you.”

  “Well, Jason, I suppose he can stay.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  Zander was the one person I was always sure of. He was a butthead, but he was my butthead.

  We ended up at a bowling alley that Zander swore made the best pizza. I didn’t know such a place existed. When I asked him how he knew about the place, he shrugged his shoulders, which was so not like him. What was like him was when he put his arm around my shoulders as we walked in and shoved those stupid socks in my purse.