“Child, these old bones cain’t move the way they need to to win this competition. Yours can.”
Realization slammed into her like a freight train. “You set me up!”
“I ain’t confirming or denying.” Which was as good as a confession.
“Why didn’t you just ask me?”
Mama Pearl turned knowing eyes in her direction. “Would you have said yes?”
No. No, she’d have found some way to get out of it because she already had a million things on her plate.
“That’s what I thought.” Mama Pearl nodded to herself, as if confirming the wisdom of her actions. “Now you’re in it. The officially registered representative of the diner. And you finish what you start. So go dance and do us proud.”
She would. Of course she would. But… “Why me?”
“I told you—”
“I know what you said about Darlene and Cindy. But really, why me?”
“Two reasons. First, you’ve been hidin’ long enough, lettin’ folks pick and poke at you for what amounts to ancient history. It’s time you got out there as who you are now and held your head up high. You’re making a life for yourself and your little boy, and that’s something to be proud of.”
Her throat went thick again. “And the other?”
Mama Pearl winked. “Because you could do with a little fun, and Tucker McGee offers that in spades.”
Corinne was still gaping as her boss swung through the door into the kitchen.
This was a matchmaking attempt? It was one thing to get such a thing from her mother. Marianne would look at Tucker and see nothing but his position in local society, his success as an attorney. But Mama Pearl?
“Tucker McGee? The hot attorney who was all defending your honor last week?” Malika shoved her books aside and leaned forward on both elbows. “Tell me all.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
One brow winged up. “Am I gonna have to get the scoop from Mama Pearl?”
“We’re only dance partners.”
“Right, because Mama Pearl thinks you could use a little fun. Which, by the way, I am in full agreement with.”
“I don’t have time for ‘a little fun’, the euphemistic kind or otherwise.” And seriously, calling Tucker “a little fun” was like saying Godzilla was a little lizard. She’d laughed more during their rehearsals this weekend than the last three months combined. Tucker was… He was… Charming. Funny. He’d grown into the gawky, long limbs she remembered from their youth. And that smile…
She wondered why she’d never noticed him in high school. She’d seen him, of course. Known who he was. They’d been on student council together. He’d been the class treasurer. But she’d never really seen him. Probably because he was usually attached to Brody, and when Brody was around, she’d never been able to see anyone else.
“And yet you’re about to be paid to have it.” Malika’s teeth flashed in a delighted smile.
“She’s barking up the wrong tree.”
“Why?”
Corinne blew out an exasperated breath. “Because even if I had time for something—which we have established I don’t—he’s out of my league. He’s not interested in me. Why would he be? A college drop out. A single mom with a less than pristine past. Nobody wants that package.”
Malika’s expression darkened. “Don’t make me come across this table and kick your ass. That’s my friend you’re talking about. Who is an awesome mom to an even awesomer little boy and who just finished one of the most rigorous nursing programs in the state, while working full-time. You set out on your own to start over after life blew up on you. That makes you one of the bravest people I know. So make all the excuses you want about not having time, but don’t you dare act like you’re not worth his attention.”
One corner of Corinne’s mouth twitched. “I’ll consider my ass kicked. I love you.”
“Love you back.”
But as she turned back to her textbooks, Corinne couldn’t help but think that dancing with him made her remember she was still a woman, not merely a mother. She hadn’t expected that and wasn’t entirely sure she liked the reminder.