The Liar

She knew she’d done well when her grandfather had seconds of everything—and Granny asked for the recipes.

“I’ll write them out for you, Granny.”

“You’ll want to do it twice.” Ada Mae got up to help clear. “That chicken put mine to shame.”

“You’d better’ve saved room for dessert.”

“We’ve got room, don’t we, Callie?” Jack patted his belly so Callie leaned back in her booster chair to pat hers.

The best was watching eyes go big when she came in carrying the tower of profiteroles she’d made, with their topping of melted chocolate.

“That’s as pretty as anything you’d see in a restaurant,” her father told her. “Is it as good as it looks?”

“You’re going to find out. I need to go, so Mama, would you serve this up? I don’t want to be late.”

“You don’t go till you’ve put on some lipstick.” This was her grandmother’s decree. “Something with a little pink it in. It’s spring.”

“All right. Make Forrest help with the dishes.”

“I was going to,” he said immediately. He grabbed her hand when she bent over to kiss Callie. “It was a real good meal, Shelby. Don’t drink and drive.”

“You’re the one with a beer on the table. Callie, you be a good girl.”

“Gamma said I get a bath with bubbles.”

“Won’t that be fun? I won’t be late.”

“Oh, be late.” Ada Mae served up generous portions of pastry. “Go have some fun.”

“I will. Don’t—”

“Scat!”

“All right.”

It felt odd going out at night, on her own. And then add in the nerves, the worry that Emma Kate wouldn’t forgive her.

But she put on lipstick, added a little more blush for good measure. And drove to town hoping she’d find the right words, make the right penance to get her best friend back in her life.

The streetlights gleamed, and she caught a few lights glimmering in the mountains. Shops shut down by six, but she noted Pizzateria was doing good business, and a few people strolled along the sidewalk.

She found the stingy parking lot beside the bar and grill already jammed, started hunting up a place on the street. Maybe she had to give herself a mental push to get out of the car, but she did it, and walked the half block down, opened the door, stepped into the noise.

She didn’t recall the place doing this level of business on weeknights. But then she hadn’t reached legal drinking age when she left so had spent more time with pizza or at the ice cream parlor.

Still, most of the tables and booths were full, and the air smelled of beer and barbecue.

“How’re you doing?” A waitress—hostess?—approached with an easy smile, and dark eyes that scanned the crowded room, probably looking for a free table. “I can seat you at the bar if you’re . . . Shelby? Shelby Anne Pomeroy!”

Shelby found herself enveloped in a hug that smelled of peach blossoms.

She drew Shelby back, a good-looking woman with skin like polished walnut and thickly lashed dark eyes. “You don’t remember me.”

“I’m sorry, I—” It clicked, stunning her. “Tansy?”

“You do remember. Can’t blame you for taking a few minutes. I’ve changed some.”

“Some?” The Tansy Johnson she’d known had been gawky, gap-toothed, acne-prone and bespectacled. This one was admirably curvy with a gorgeous smile, clear skin and luminous eyes.

“My skin cleared up, I filled out, got my teeth fixed and wear contacts.”

“You look just fantastic.”

“It’s nice to hear it. But then, you and Emma Kate never made fun of me like some of the girls did. I’m sorry about your husband, Shelby, but I’m glad you’re home.”

“Thanks. You work here now. It’s busier than I remember, and nicer.”

“That’s good to hear, too, because I don’t just work here, I’m the manager. And I happen to be married to the owner.”

“Wow. Things have changed. When did you get married?”

“A year ago in June. I’m going to tell you all about my Derrick first chance, but Emma Kate’s waiting for you.”

“She’s already here?”

“I’ll take you over. I got you a corner booth—prime real estate, especially on Wing Night.” She hooked her arm through Shelby’s. “You’ve got a little girl, don’t you?”

“Callie. She’s three.”

“I’m going to have one.”

“Oh, that’s great, Tansy.” It called for another hug. “Congratulations.”

“Just hit four weeks, and I know they always say wait until after the first trimester, but I can’t wait. So I’m telling everybody, even complete strangers. Look who I found!”

Emma Kate looked up from her phone. “You made it.”

“I did. I’m sorry if I’m late.”

“You’re not. I forgot it was Wing Night, so I had Tansy save us a table and got here a little early.”

“Sit down.” Tansy waved toward the booth. “And you two do your catching up. What’ll you have, Shelby? First one’s on the house.”

“I’m driving, so . . . Well, I ought to be able to handle one glass of wine.”

“We’ve got a nice selection by the glass.” Tansy rattled off several choices.

“The pinot noir sounds perfect.”

“I’ll get that right out to you. You okay there, Emma Kate?”

Emma Kate lifted her beer. “I’m good, Tansy.”

“So good seeing you.” Tansy gave Shelby’s shoulder a squeeze before she walked away.

“I didn’t recognize her for a minute.”