lip made her look like a Pin-Up girl—like some sexy vixen that walked right off a movie set into Gabbie’s store. Some women had all the luck.
“Yum, Ginger, are these the fish tacos I’ve been telling you to try?”
“Hell yeah, they are. I’m no slouch when it comes to food.”
The girls dug into the bag and began eating. Gabbie wiped the side of her mouth with her hand. “I have a huge favor to ask you.”
“What? These are delicious.”
“I knew you’d love’em. Would you be able to cover the store for me for a few days while I go to Japan with Logan?”
Brandi stopped chewing and spoke with her mouth full of food. “What?”
Gabriella smiled and nodded her head. “Yup. He asked me to go with him. He has to go because of his father’s law firm, blah blah blah. He knows I’ve always wanted to go. It’s all been bought and paid for. I just need you to run the store while I’m gone.” Gabbie squinted her eyes shut, opening just one. “What do you think?”
“Logan did that for you? Jesus Christ. Are you sure you guys aren’t more than friends and you aren’t telling anyone? Fuck buddies?”
Gabbie cocked her head to the side and thought of the look he’d given her that day when she came out of the fitting room wearing the red lingerie. She got that same feeling in the pit of her stomach as she had gotten then.
“Yes, I’m sure. We have always been just friends.”
“What were you just contemplating? I saw the wheels turning.”
“Nothing! I would tell you if something was going on between Logan and me. Can we please not talk about us like we’re a couple or something?”
“Well, I’m just saying. I don’t have friends like that.”
“What about me?” Gabbie asked.
“You’ve never taken me to Japan. Who does that? Friends don’t do that for friends.”
“You’re crazy. Sure, they do. Logan is a sweetheart. We’ve been friends forever and he’s known I’ve always wanted to go there. It’s nothing more than that.”
“Oh, whatever. Mark my words, friends don’t do that. When would you need me?”
Gabbie opened her calendar and showed her the dates she wanted her to cover. “What do you think? Could you do it? Are you free then?”
Brandi was looking at her calendar on her phone. “That’s the same week as the kids’ spring break… Hell yes. I can do it. Do I get to play dress-up?”
“Yea!” Gabbie clapped her hands. “I’m so excited. Thank you so much. Yes, you can play dress-up. In fact, I will give you a store credit and you can get whatever your heart desires—well, within reason. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like I’m gonna need to line up a man to show off my newly acquired goods to! I like getting a break from the kids and playing adult once in a while. I can’t believe you’re going to Japan. With Logan.”
“I know. I’m so excited. In First Class, even.”
“What? Get the fuck out of here? First Class to Japan? You know how much money that must cost? He is definitely not thinking friends. No way. He wants in your panties.”
“Would you stop? You are being ridiculous. Honestly, no he doesn’t. It’s the law firm paying, not Logan personally. But yeah, First Class. Probably the only time in my life I will get to sit in First Class. Here, hugs!”
“Hugs!” Brandi hugged her back. “Are you going to Blake and Marilyn’s picnic? Should we ride over together? Did you hear that Blaze Bryant is supposedly moving to Windsor? He is so damn good-looking but at Marilyn’s wedding, he seemed like such an ass. Why do men do that?”
“Nooo, I hadn’t heard that yet. He is hot as hell, in a looks-like-Blake-but-doesn’t kind of way. You can ride with us, Logan’s driving. It will be great to see everyone for longer than five minutes.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket. “Here. It’s Logan, I gotta take it.”
“Hello?”
“Did you have a chance to talk to Ginger?”
“I did. She’s here now.”
“What’d she say? Can she do it?”
“I talked to her—” She stifled a laugh as Brandi pointed to her crotch and mouthed “in your panties.”
“She said yes, didn’t she? I can hear it in your voice.”
Gabbie let out a mix between a laugh and a squeal. “She said yes. We’re going to Japan! I’m going to Japan! Oh my gosh, I’ll have to check the weather and see what kind of clothes I need. I might have to go