The Summer Of Sunshine And Margot. Susan Mallery

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      Chapter Three

      Sunday morning, just before eleven, Sunshine walked into the restaurant. She’d curled her hair, put on makeup and had even worn a dress. Not that she was trying to impress—she was meeting her sister, not anyone who would judge her. Instead, her reasons were more about self-preservation. Whatever Margot showed up wearing, she would be gorgeous and while Sunshine knew she couldn’t compete on the beauty front, she didn’t want to be the cautionary tale. Or just the sexy one.

      She gave her name to the hostess. There were at least a couple dozen people waiting for tables, mostly multigenerational families. Sunshine watched grandparents corral toddlers and new mothers fret over babies.

      Most of the families looked happy, which she liked to see. Kids deserved to be raised in a home where things went right more often than they went wrong.

      Margot walked in and spotted her. The sisters hugged. When they stepped back, Sunshine held in a sigh. Yup, her fraternal twin was stunning in a navy short-sleeved sheath dress. The woven material skimmed her body and fell just to her knee. The neck was high, the cut conservative. Nothing about the dress, the midheel navy pumps or her plain clutch screamed look at me, and still people did. Looked and gawked.

      Sunshine knew she got her fair share of attention but it was for the wrong reasons. She was all boobs and butt with a little jiggle thrown in for good measure. Margot was the cover of Vogue while Sunshine was more like a billboard for a gentleman’s club. And people said God didn’t have a sense of humor.

      Margot linked arms with her. “How are you? How’s work? Are you nervous about school starting tomorrow? Don’t be. You’ll do great. You’re smart and determined. I’m so proud of you. Look at how quickly you got your life together.”

      “Together might be a slight overstatement,” Sunshine murmured as the hostess waved them over.

      “Tables for two are easy today,” she said with a smile. “It’s tables for eight that are the problem. If you’ll follow me, please.”

      They were shown to a small table tucked in by the window. After they were seated, Margot leaned toward her.

      “You’re really okay?”

      Sunshine smiled. “You take the older sister thing way too seriously. You only beat me into the world by eight minutes.”

      “I can’t help it. You’re my family and I love you.”

      “I love you, too.”

      Sunshine pulled a slim envelope out of her handbag and passed it over. “Proof that I’m perfectly fine. Installment one.”

      Margot opened the envelope and wrinkled her nose. She pulled out the check. “You didn’t have to do this.”

      “You loaned me the down payment for my car.”

      When Sunshine had returned to Los Angeles four months earlier, she’d had zero money but surprisingly good credit. After getting a job as a waitress and a second gig as a clerk at a drugstore, she’d borrowed money from her sister and had managed to swing a car loan. Margot had insisted Sunshine get a couple of thousand into a savings account before paying her back. Thanks to her new nanny job, she was doing much better financially, and could finally start repaying her sister.

      Margot sighed. “I didn’t want you to pay me back.”

      “Sorry. That was the deal. I’m not a moocher.”

      Margot grinned. “You make me crazy.”

      “That’s part of the job description. I’m doing good. I love the kid and I start school tomorrow and this is right. I swear.”

      “Well, if you swear.”

      Their server appeared and told them about the specials, then took their drink orders.

      “Champagne,” Margot said firmly.

      When the glasses were delivered, Sunshine reached for hers. “To Francine, on her birthday. We love you and miss you and hope that in heaven you’re surrounded by beauty queens.”

      Margot touched glasses with her. “To Francine. I know we’re not exactly what you were hoping for, but we love you and appreciate all you did for us.”

      They each took a sip in honor of the great-grandmother who had raised them. She’d been gone over a decade, but Sunshine could still hear Francine’s voice in her head. Sit up straight. Don’t cross your legs at the knee. Think tall thoughts. Elegance is always the right choice.

      “I was such a disappointment,” she said lightly, having long since accepted the inevitable truth.

      “We both were,” Margot murmured. “At least you tried. I was a trembling, whimpering mess.”

      “Don’t forget the projectile vomiting.”

      “Always a pretty memory.”

      They smiled at each other.

      “How’s work?” Sunshine asked. “Weren’t you interviewing for a new client?”

      “I was and I got it. Should be an interesting one. She’s a mass of contradictions. I have to live in, which I don’t usually love, but the house is great.”

      Sunshine knew better than to ask too many questions. Margot was very discreet about her clients and never talked in specifics.

      “Where will you be living?”

      “I’m staying in Pasadena, so not far from you.”

      “Nice. Let me know if you want me to check on your condo. You know my schedule is mostly flexible.”

      “Thanks.”

      The server returned and they placed their order. When he was gone, Margot picked up her champagne.

      “So how’s your newest heartbreaker?”

      Sunshine laughed. “Connor is totally adorable. He’s such a good kid. He’s still dealing with losing his mom, but he’s so brave. We’re going to be getting an ant farm.”

      Margot shuddered. “Why?”

      “He wants one. I think it’ll be fun. Do you know the people who sell them refer to the ants as animals? Connor was right there, so I couldn’t laugh, but jeez, really. Animals? So are they ant ranchers or something?”

      Margot chuckled. “And the man of the house?”

      “I’m still getting to know him. He seems like a good dad. He’s involved with Connor.”

      “A nice change.”

      “It is.”

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