The Roundabout

by Gerri Hill

  Which was ridiculous. No matter what happened the first few months, the first summer, the first season, she had no plans other than to see it through. In fact, she’d planned to give herself three years to make it work, tweaking the inventory as needed until she hit on the right combination.

  “So quit worrying about it,” she murmured as she opened up yet another box.

  This one was filled with greeting cards. She’d debated between funny cards and environmental cards. She held up the mountain scene, the trees shrouded in fog. Environmental cards with inspirational messages won out. She was stocking the card rack when the front door burst open. She turned, finding Megan standing there with a panicked look on her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You won’t believe what—” But she stopped, pausing to look around, her expression changing to one of surprise. “Oh, my God! You’ve got stuff in here.”

  Leah smiled. “You’re not a very attentive girlfriend, are you? I told you the inventory was coming in this week.”

  “Oh, yeah, you did. I’m sorry,” Megan said, waving her hand in the air. “I have too much stress in my life to keep up with my fake girlfriend’s goings-on.”

  “Well, you’ll be happy to know that I’ll be opening very, very soon so all those parking spaces won’t go to waste any longer,” she teased. “That is, if I have any customers.”

  “Are you worried?”

  “Of course. It’s not like I know what I’m doing.”

  Megan walked over to the rack of chimes and put them in motion, the store filling with musical tones. Then she walked over to the large bin which was stuffed with T-shirts. Leah had only begun hanging them up on the wall to display them.

  “You can’t go wrong with T-shirts,” Megan said. “Take your lowest cost T-shirts and, instead of mixing them in with the others, have them on a sale rack. Customers will then think they’re getting a deal on the price. Or have a special every day or every week featuring a couple of shirts that are on sale.”

  Leah nodded. “Good ideas. Thanks.” She leaned against one of the empty tables. “Now, what’s wrong?”

  Megan sighed. “We have a problem.”

  Leah frowned. “What kind of a problem?”

  “Mary Beth suspects this isn’t real,” Megan said, motioning between the two of them.

  “What? Us dating?”

  “Yes. She thinks I’m faking it,” Megan said. “And she’s lost her freakin’ mind. She showed me a picture on her phone. A picture of me. A naked picture of me.”

  Leah laughed. “Can it get any more naked than what she’s posted?”

  “Yes! I mean, totally naked. Like, the sheet is pulled off and I’m lying there…” Megan grabbed the bridge of her nose. “Oh, God…I will kill her if she posts that. I mean, kill her.”

  “Surely she wouldn’t post it,” Leah said. “That’s going too far.”

  “She made a veiled threat. Meaning…if she finds out that I’m only faking this with you to throw her off my trail—her words, not mine—then she might be compelled to post the photo.” Megan growled. “She’s freakin’ insane!”

  “She won’t post it, Megan. If I were her, I’d be worried about being banned from Facebook—or worse, a lawsuit—not worried whether you’re really dating me or not.”

  Megan nodded. “You’re right. I don’t think she would actually post it. Just the fact that she’s got it on her phone and she showed it to me makes me want to strangle her!” Megan said, holding her fingers in a circle, pretending to choke someone. “Anyway, she’s having a dinner party Tuesday night. Julie, Sarah and Nancy will be there.” She paused. “And you and me. You can go, right?”

  Leah nodded. “Sure. I take it we’re to be on display?”

  Megan slowly shook her head. “Should it be this complicated to pretend to date?”

  “It’ll be fine,” she said. “We’ll be fine. We’ll go together. As a couple. They’ll all be convinced and this will all be over with before you know it.”

  Megan sighed. “I’m beginning to think that the only way they’ll be convinced is if we have sex on the dinner table.”

  Leah grinned. “Well…if you insist.”

  Megan laughed, the smile chasing some of the anxiety from her face. “I know I said kissing was against the rules, but I’d really like a big, sloppy kiss right in front of Mary Beth.”

  Leah was surprised at the jolt that visual gave her. “That could probably be arranged.”

  Megan nodded. “Well,” she pointed out the door. “I should really get back.”

  “Busy today?”

  “Yes. The weekends are picking up.” Megan paused at the door. “If you feel like dinner, why don’t you come over later? I’m working the bar tonight.”

  Leah nodded. “Okay. A burger sounds good.”

  Even though she knew the grill would be packed on a Saturday and she and Megan would have little time to visit, it beat staying here alone and eating a frozen burrito. Maybe she needed to start cooking again. Maybe she’d invite Megan over. They could have an early dinner one night before the regular dinner crowd showed up next door. She nodded to herself. Yeah…maybe next week she’d do that.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Megan was nervous and she wasn’t entirely sure why. It was simply a causal dinner party with friends. That’s all it was. They could all suspect and conjure up what they wanted as far as she and Leah were concerned, but as long as they continued to go out and date, then that should be the end of it. She needed to quit worrying about it. What was the worst that could happen? So Mary Beth put a naked picture of her out there? So what? It wouldn’t be the end of the world. Well…it might be for Mary Beth. She allowed herself a small smile as she pictured herself strangling Mary Beth with her bare hands. Of course, she wasn’t sure how good she’d look in an orange jumpsuit as they hauled her away to prison.

  She shook that image away. No. Mary Beth wouldn’t dare post the picture. Even if she found out that she and Leah weren’t really dating—and there was no way she could find out as long as she and Leah stuck to the story—she doubted Mary Beth would go through with it. Even she wouldn’t stoop that low.

  “All set?”

  Megan nodded. “I suppose.”

  “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

  Leah was dressed in jeans, as was she. She’d taken her break at three to go home and shower and change. Nancy had left at five, saying she would meet them at Mary Beth’s as she’d promised to help cook. Nancy had been a little secretive about it, and Megan again wondered what they were up to. Surely to God Nancy wasn’t helping Mary Beth in this little sick game of hers.

  “Call me if you need something,” she said to Eileen as they left.

  “I’ll try not to burn the place down. Go have fun.”

  “Fun, she says,” Megan murmured.

  It was a pleasant evening and Leah had suggested they walk the few blocks up the hill to Mary Beth’s house. While she had nothing against walking—and sure, walking was practical and good for you—it just wasn’t something she did. In fact, it wasn’t something any of them did. At least, not on a regular basis. It was so ingrained in everyone to hop in their car and go where they needed to go, she doubted walking ever crossed their minds. But it did give her a chance to relax. Or at least try to relax.

  “You’re being awfully quiet.”

  “I’m nervous,” she admitted.

  Leah surprised her by taking her hand. Megan’s fingers entwined with hers, and their hands swung casually between them as they walked.

  “You know, not a single person has asked me out since you and I had dinner that first night,” Leah said. “Before we went out, I had at least six or eight dinner invitations.”

  “Well, I’m glad this arrangement is working out for you,” she said dryly.

  “Hopefully, after tonight, Mary Beth will leave you alone,” Leah said. She raised her eyebrows teasingly. “You know, wet, sloppy fake kisses and all that.”

/>   Megan had really been teasing when she’d mentioned them kissing. Apparently Leah had taken it to heart. Oh well, maybe a fake kiss or two would be enough to convince Mary Beth that there really was no chance for her. She had to mentally shake her head. She wasn’t actually contemplating kissing Leah Rollins, was she?

  As they walked up the sidewalk toward Mary Beth’s house, she felt her heart hammering in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was from being nervous or from the memory of the last time she’d been here.

  “We should have practiced.”

  Leah raised an eyebrow. “Practiced what? Holding hands?” she asked as she raised their linked hands between them.

  “Kissing,” Megan said quietly.

  A smile played on Leah’s lips. “Well, we could practice now, if you’d like. I could probably be forced to, you know, if you insisted.”

  Megan arched an eyebrow. “This isn’t fun and games, you know.” She took a deep breath. “I’m nervous as hell.” She squeezed Leah’s fingers. “And if Mary Beth is cruel enough to have tequila here, please don’t let me near the stuff.”

  Leah laughed. “Oh, that’s right. This is the scene of the crime, isn’t it? Do you think Mary Beth has been dreaming of that night?”

  “She stripped me naked and posed me for pictures,” Megan said. “Surely there’s some kind of law against that.”

  “Did you ever threaten her with a lawsuit?”

  “You can’t do that. Not in a town this small. Everyone would take sides and I would lose.”

  “You’re the victim.”

  “Everyone has the same thought on it as Nancy does—Mary Beth is just having a little fun.” She waved her hand dismissively. “And if it was anyone else but me, I’d be enjoying the posts as much as the next person.”

  “Well, hopefully there won’t be any more posts from her.” Leah grinned. “Although I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the naked picture.”

  Before she could stop herself, Megan slugged Leah in the arm. “You are so bad. A good girlfriend would be demanding she delete it from her phone immediately.”

  Leah rubbed her arm and laughed. “Well, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll demand to see it for myself to deem whether it should be deleted or not.”

  Megan wiggled a finger at her. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

  Leah led her up onto the porch, a smile still on her face. “I’ll admit, yes, it’s been a little fun.”

  Before she could knock, the door opened, and Mary Beth stood there staring at them, a predatory smile on her face.

  “Having a spat, angel?”

  Megan frowned. “No. Why?”

  “I saw you hit her.”

  Megan laughed. “No, we were just playing around.” She turned to Leah. “Why did I hit you again?”

  “I believe it was because I was curious to see the naked photo.” She looked at Mary Beth. “She tells me you have one of her on your phone.”

  The smile on Mary Beth’s face never faltered. “Well, I guess that means you’ve not had the pleasure of seeing her in all her glory,” she said with a wave at Megan’s body. “Pity that I have and you haven’t.” Mary Beth looked pointedly at Megan. “What does that say, angel?”

  “It says that I avoid tequila from now on.”

  Mary Beth laughed. “Oh, angel…we can reminisce about that night later.” She finally stepped back. “Come in, come in,” she offered. “Glad you could both make it.” She surprised Megan by holding her hand out to Leah. “Nice to see you again, Leah.”

  Leah shook her hand. “Thanks. You too.”

  Mary Beth led them inside, and Leah gave Megan a subtle wink as she again took her hand. Megan grasped it, squeezing her fingers tightly, surprised at the confidence she felt just from Leah’s touch.

  “You know Nancy, of course,” Mary Beth said, motioning to the recliner where Nancy was lounging. “This is Sarah and Julie,” she introduced.

  Leah nodded. Julie appeared to be even thinner than she remembered. “Yes. I met Julie at the kickoff party last month,” she said. “Good to see you again.”

  She turned to Sarah, a woman who appeared to be a little younger than herself. Her brown hair—showing gray at the temples—was pulled back into a ponytail, giving her a youthful look.

  She held her hand out. “Leah Rollins. Nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” Sarah nodded, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Come sit by me,” Julie said, her thin voice again matching her appearance. She patted the sofa beside her. “I’m dying to hear how you got Megan to go out with you.”

  “What would you like to drink?” Mary Beth asked. “I have beer, wine, water.” She turned to Megan. “And I made a pitcher of margaritas. PatrÓn tequila. I know it’s your favorite.”

  Megan barely controlled her urge to gag at the mention of PatrÓn tequila. “Wine, please.”

  “Leah?”

  Megan saw the indecision on Leah’s face and hid her smile when Leah opted for a beer instead of her beloved wine, no doubt not wanting to chance it being something other than California wine.

  Nancy handed Megan her empty glass. “I’ll take a margarita, please.”

  “Why don’t you come with me?” Megan asked, her gaze following Mary Beth into the kitchen. Leah had already been pulled down beside Julie.

  “She won’t hurt you,” Nancy said. “Besides, I want to hear how Leah got you to go out with her too.”

  Megan flicked her gaze to Leah, about to panic, when Leah smiled and launched into the story of when they first met.

  “Then she stormed into my shop with my note wadded up in her fist. She had a fiery look in her eyes that captivated me from the start,” Leah said, smiling at Megan. “I never knew anyone could be so passionate about parking spaces.”

  Megan tuned out their laughter as she sorted through the four bottles of wine—all red—surprised that two of the four were from California. She chose the zinfandel for herself. She swirled it in her glass for a second before tasting. It was rich and robust, and she imagined that Leah would like that much better than the beer Mary Beth had pulled out for her.

  “Leah is partial to California wine,” Megan explained. “I think I’ll offer her a glass of this zinfandel.”

  “Do you like that? I prefer the sweeter white zinfandel myself.” Mary Beth motioned to a fifth bottle that she’d just opened. “Julie is having the merlot. I’ve developed a taste for that as well.” Mary Beth refilled Nancy’s glass from the pitcher of margaritas. “I’ll take this to Nancy.”

  Megan eyed her suspiciously. She was being too nice. Too normal. Something was obviously very wrong, she thought, as Mary Beth hurried from the kitchen. Megan followed, noting the smiles that everyone sported.

  “After that first encounter, she called you annoying and irritating,” Nancy said with a laugh, ignoring the glare Megan gave her.

  “She also estimated my age at seventy-five,” Leah added.

  “I was teasing,” Megan said in her defense. “Nancy was going on and on about how cute you were and she wanted to know how old I thought you were.” She glanced at Nancy, glad to see a blush on her face. She handed Leah the glass of wine, nodding at her unasked question. Leah took a sip and smiled.

  “Very good. Thank you.”

  Megan found herself relegated to the background as the others peppered Leah with questions. Of course, in all fairness, most of the questions were personal in nature. Where did Leah come from? Why Eureka Springs? When would her shop be open? How old was she really? And Megan’s favorite…are you two going steady? But it was Sarah’s question that nearly made her choke on her wine.

  “Does it bother you that most of the town has seen her naked?”

  To Leah’s credit, she didn’t seem thrown by the question at all.

  “Naked in that she’s an exhibitionist or naked in that someone is posting pictures of her against her will?”

  It could be construed that Leah was teasing based on her smi
le, but Megan recognized her tone for what it was. Apparently Mary Beth did too as she gave a nervous laugh.

  “I don’t believe Megan’s name was ever associated with the pictures.”

  “My hair and the side of my face is showing on a couple of them,” Megan contradicted. “That’s as good as a name.”

  “Oh, Megan,” Julie laughed. “I can assure you no one is looking at your face.”

  “I never knew my sister had such nice legs,” Nancy added.

  “That’s the truth,” Sarah said, staring at Megan as if she could see through her jeans.

  “Treadmill,” Nancy continued. “I think I’m going to take it up.”

  Megan felt like she was in a dream, a very bad dream, as they talked around her as if she wasn’t there. She locked eyes with Leah, her amused expression making Megan smile. A little. Very little.

  Thankfully, the conversation drifted from her to the town, and everyone started sharing stories of tourists and who was busy and who wasn’t. Sarah seemed the most interested in Leah’s new shop. Julie, who sold chocolates and ice cream, didn’t seem concerned with the competition, but Sarah was blatantly asking what Leah intended to sell and why.

  “I don’t think my little shop will cut into your sales,” Leah said.

  “But you do intend to sell windsocks and flags too?”

  Leah shrugged. “I’ll probably have a few but certainly nothing like what you carry, Sarah. I don’t plan to specialize in any one thing.”

  “So you’ve been to my shop?”

  Leah nodded. “Last summer I did some…some reconnaissance.”

  Mary Beth laughed. “She means snooping.”

  Leah laughed too. “Yeah, that too.”

  All in all, it was one of the most stressful evenings Megan had endured in quite some time. Nancy was watching them like a hawk, as was Mary Beth. Julie and Sarah were occupying Leah, giving her and Leah little to no time together. In fact, they’d not had a chance for even one private moment between them. On the outside looking in, she would have to agree that their relationship appeared to be only platonic, at best.