When I sit down in the booth of Missy’s Dinner, I am immediately hit with a sense of nostalgia. I used to come here with my grandparents every Sunday in the summer and have a huge pancake breakfast. It doesn’t look like a single thing has changed in the last fourteen years. The floor is still the same black and white checked tile. The seats are red vinyl and the tables are the same scarred chrome plated squares that are straight out of the fifties. The jukebox has been updated through. It is currently playing a Taylor Swift song.
It smells incredible in here and I am ordering the pancakes. I worked up quite an appetite last night. Just thinking about Perry makes me smile. I am the first one here and that doesn’t bode well. You’d think that with the kind of money I plan on shelling out the designer would be on time.
I spot her as soon as she walks in the door. She is tall, with black hair, and a killer tan. She is dressed in ripped jeans, kitten heels, and a form fitting blazer with clearly nothing on under it. She looks awesome. I forget my momentary anger as soon as she leans down in the booth and hugs me.
“Hi. You must be Portia. Migan Danvers.” She says extending her hand as she sits. “Sorry, we are late. Kennedy’s daughter, Regan power barfed all over her.”
“Oh, goodness. Is she ok?” I ask.
“Yeah. The little pig ate too fast.” Kennedy says as she plops down next to Migan. She looks exhausted, but at the same time she looks ecstatic. “Kennedy Crawford.” I shake her hand as well.
“Nice to meet you both. I am excited to discuss this opportunity with you.” I legit don’t know what I am doing and am desperate to be a part of something, I hope it doesn’t bite me in the ass.
“We should be thanking you.” Migan says.
The waitress interrupts us.
“Hi. I am Cadi. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a coffee.”
“Water for me please.” Kennedy says.
“I’ll have a vanilla milkshake.” Migan says. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, but I can’t help laughing.
“What?” She says.
“Nothing.” I think I am going to like this girl.
“Anything else?” Cadi asks.
“I would like a short stack of pancakes and an order of bacon.”
“Nothing for me.” Kennedy says.
“I’ll take a cheeseburger and French fries.” Migan says.
Therefore, I love diners. You can get what you when you want.
“No problem. I will get this order in now and bring it out when it’s ready.” She says walking away.
Taking a deep breath, I turn my attention back to the girls. “So, tell me about your designs and what you want to see happen?”
“I brought my portfolio and some samples. Ideally, Kennedy and all the girls are wanting to open a boutique in downtown Moosehead. Kennedy has already found the location. My designs will be exclusive to the boutique for five years.”
Cadi returns with the coffee, water and the milkshake. I immediately add cream and sugar.
She slides her portfolio over to me and I start flipping through it. I am blown away. Literally. Her designs are fresh and modern, yet versatile. For instance, there is a vest in the portfolio much like the one she is wearing. The only difference being, you can turn it inside out and it goes from a night look to a day look. The material, which she has glued onto the side of the design is some sort of cotton/polyester blend. Hell, I want to wear most of this stuff.
“Ok these are fantastic. I can’t wait to see these hanging up in the store.”
“So, you’ll do it?” Migan asks. Her voice is full of excitement.
“Of course. If all your stuff is as great as what I am seeing in this book, The House of Danvers is going to be huge and I would be stupid to not invest. And right now, before you blow up.”
Kennedy looks just as excited. “OMG that is awesome. The minute you showed us these designs at the reveal party at Penny’s house I knew it was going to be a hit.”
Kennedy’s excitement is infectious.
“So, what exactly will I be investing in. Both, the boutique and the line?”
“Just the line. All of our husbands are putting up the money for the storefront and they are doing the construction.”
“All of you have husbands?” I ask. I mean I hope that didn’t sound bratty, but seriously how old are all of them?
“Girl, I don’t need to be tied down right now and listening to an overbearing douche hole. No thanks. This is my time. No offense to your men, Ken. They seem to be the exception to the rule.” Migan says.
“I am not married either.” I say. Not sure how I feel about it, but it’s the truth nonetheless.
“Give it time. These boys don’t mess around in these parts.” Kennedy says, smiling.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I say.
“Rumor has it that Perry Gentry was all over you.”
“Oh my God. How mortifying. That was just last night.”
“These boys don’t do “just last night” trust me.” I can feel my face heating. When Kennedy steps out to use her phone, Migan and I are left at the table.
“We should have a contract made up. Get incorporated, right?” She asks. Seriously, I hope she doesn’t expect me to have an answer because I honestly do not know.
“I am going to be honest with you, Migan. I have never done this before. Perhaps we should consult a lawyer?”
“That sounds good. I am sure there are some downtown.”
“I can look into it. Let’s exchange numbers and I will let you know when I schedule an appointment.” I leave the diner feeling amazing.
When I get back to Carrie-Ann’s and Dex’s I see Perry sitting on the front porch with a picnic basket.
“Hi Perry.” I say as he stands and pulls me into his arms. The kiss he gives me makes my toes curl and my panties damp. He looks hot as hell in his knee length khaki shorts, a Celtics T-shirt, and flips.
“Hey Angel. Get changed because we are going out. Not that I don’t fucking love this tight-ass skirt.” He says, while twisting a piece of my hair that has come loose from the low bun around his index finger. He lets it go and playfully pushes me toward the front door.
“Oh yea. What if I have plans?” I definitely don’t but I can’t keep giving in so easy.
“Change um.” He says shrugging.
I giggle and kiss him again. Not even able to pretend I am upset that he is so cocky. Running inside, I change into a pair of cutoff jean shorts and an American flag tank top. I slide on my brown cowboy boots, because why not? Meeting him outside, he makes a strangled groaning sound deep in his throat and grabs my hand leading me down a worn trailhead. As we walk he keeps his hand in mine and his thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand, while making me wish his hands were all over my body.
When we reach our destination, I am about to lose my mind. I see nothing but beautifully creepy trees and flat green grass for as far as the eye can see. After helping him lay the blanket down on the ground, I can’t take it anymore. He is taking food out of the basket, but I am hungry for something else entirely. When I see the fare that he has, I see he has pulled out all the stops.
All of my favorite summertime foods are here, including cheesecake. Maybe I am hungry.
“This is a nice date. If it is a date, I mean.” Jesus. I am a friggin dork.
“It’s a date, Angel.” He says as a matter of fact, that I feel like I should have known.
This man makes me all kinds of crazy and I don’t really know a thing about him.
“So, tell me about yourself, Perry.” I say smiling. I find myself leaning towards him wanting to know all I can about him.