Page 42 (1/2)

Mimi tried to keep the express

ion on her face neutral

“You know, I asked Zeke about that just the other day,” Allie said “As far as he’s concerned our dad is dead, and I don’t blaet in touch with us it would be pretty easy Zeke’s lived all his life here and now I’m the editor of the paper Just about everyone in town knows us, so…I don’t know, either’s he dead or he just doesn’t care Probably the latter” She smiled ruefully and reached out for another piece of bread

Lauren smiled sympathetically “Well, it’s his loss”

Only, it was Allie’s loss, too If Allie was given the choice, if Saht noould she choose to turn him away? Or despite all their history, would she want her own father to give her away at her wedding? The fact that Allie didn’t have that choice to rip on the menu

“Have you given any thought to your dress?” Lauren asked “Or Miaze over the top of the glass Careful not to rouse Allie’s suspicion, Mimi winked back at her

“Not really,” Allie ad is just a few ht Mi nice but off the rack so you can wear it again?” She shuddered “You know that l?” They both nodded “Yeah, well, that’shideous”

They all laughed

“As for my own dress, I have absolutely not a clue I know you and Zeke offered to pay for everything,” Allie said to Miown”

“We’ve already been through this, you know Zeke isn’t going to let you do that”

“The thought of spending hundreds of dollars on a dress gives les There’s just so much more I could do with that kind of money”

“Why don’t I take a day off, say…next week and we can go look together?” Miested Hopefully, by then, Lauren would have an idea of how she could alter the dress and they could present it to Allie, who hopefully would love it,trip completely unnecessary

“Sure, that sounds great,” Allie said

“You know, Allie, I have a belated engageift for you,” Lauren said

“You didn’t have to buy !”