The Crush Revisited

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

“You better have breakfast with you,” Brandon said when he opened the door to Veronica two weeks before the reunion.

She held up a paper bag. “Chocolate-filled croissants.”

He snagged it. “Okay. And the stuff to do my highlights?”

Veronica rolled her eyes and held up her beauty supply pouch.

Brandon nodded. “You can come in.” He held the door wide for her. She’d gone to beauty school the year before last, and though mostly he went to the salon at the resort, sometimes Veronica did touch-ups for him.

Like now. The resort salon was booked up all the way through the reunion, and he didn’t want to wait for his hair. Sure, he’d be working the reunion and not be a guest, but he still wanted to look great.

He followed her out to his kitchen, where she took two plates and two mugs out of his cabinet. Brandon opened the bag and inhaled the scent of freshly baked croissants and chocolate. “I love you. I honestly love you.”

She laughed. “You’re so easy.”

“Well, duh.” Brandon took the creamer out of the fridge and set it next to the coffeemaker.

“I do have some bad news though.” She filled his coffee mug from the carafe.

“Bad news? You forgot the stuff to bleach my teeth?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, I have all the s**t to make you look amazingly gorgeous. Not that I think you need this stuff. No. Jimmy and I are going to the reunion after all.”

“What?” He winced at the high-pitched squeal of his own voice. Took a calming breath. “I thought you said Jimmy wouldn’t want to go.”

“I thought he wouldn’t. He surprised me a couple of days ago. He said he’d found my stuff on the reunion and had paid for us to go as an anniversary surprise.”

“Swell.” Although maybe it would be nice to have a friendly face there.

She smiled. “It’s only for Saturday night’s dinner and dance. You could get tickets to that separate from the rest of the reunion. Look at it this way, sweetie. I’ll be there to help you with Tim Olfander.”

Brandon snorted. “I don’t need any help with him. Except for maybe avoiding him at all costs. But you’re right, I’m starting to like the idea of you and Jimmy being there.”

“I bet he doesn’t look like he used to look. He’s probably gained weight and lost most of his hair. Maybe even has a bad comb-over.”

He removed a croissant from the bag and took a large bite. “Think so?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes. Karma and everything. Hurry up and finish that so we can get started on making you even more fabulous.”