That Thing You Do (Whispering Bay Romance Book 1) (Volume 1) by Maria Geraci

it’s his company, this is Tom Donalan’s project and he’s the guy in charge. Says he was really lucky to get a guy with Tom’s experience to come work for him, so he’s not going to undermine him on this. Which means the only person who canstop this demolition is Tom himself.”
     “ Flippity Flop .”
    “My thoughts exactly,” Mimi said. “Sorry.”
    “Thanks anyway for trying.” Allie finished her coffee, but it didn’t taste nearly as good as it had a few seconds ago.
    She’d known the thing with Steve Pappas wasn’t a done deal, but she’d thought there was a good chance he’d stop the demolition. At least for a day. Especiallysince it had been his wife making the request on her behalf. Begrudgingly, she had to admire that Steve had enough respect for Tom to not interfere with his business decisions. She just wasn’t sure if that made Steve a good boss or Tom a really valuable employee.
    “Did you say Kitty’s meeting us at The Bistro?”
    “She’s going to drive out with us to the senior center to help move yourcar. Since you can’t drive it yourself.”
    That last part hadn’t been said with any rancor, but Allie still cringed at the reminder that her license was suspended. She mentally put that on her list of things to care of today. Right after she emailed Emma to let her know the ghost story probably wasn’t going to pan out.
    Allie searched her mind for some way around this demolition thing,but she came up blank. Maybe the story could still be salvaged, but she’d have to be satisfied with interviews and second hand accounts (if she could find anyone who’d actually seen this ghost, of course). Because there was no way she was going to debase herself and ask Tom Donalan for yet a third time to help her out. Nope . Not happening. She’d rather swallow nails.
    She quickly got dressedand out to the garage to find Mimi and the kids waiting for her. How had she overslept this morning of all important mornings? She couldn’t believe how much Mimi had accomplished, and it was only seven-thirty. The army had nothing over motherhood.
    Claire was now wearing a pair of extremely tight jeans but it was still better than the little skirt. Thank God Cameron was still the same pudgycutie pie with the freckles and wire rimmed glasses he was a few months ago. He was wearing braces now, but it was the only thing different about him.
    Allie ruffled the top of his curly head.
    “Why are you here?” he asked her.
    Claire punched her brother in the shoulder. “That’s so rude, you little dweeb. Aunt Allie doesn’t need a reason to come visit.”
    “Did you see that?Mom! She hit me.”
    “Oh my God. I barely touched you!”
    Mimi seemed completely unfazed by their screeching. “Do you want to drive to school or not?” she asked Claire.
    Claire instantly appeared contrite. “Yes, please.” 
    Mimi handed her the keys. “Then behave.”
    Allie climbed into the minivan’s back seat. “Claire’s driving?”
    “I just got my license last week,” Clairesaid proudly.
    Allie mentally winced at the irony that was her life. Her niece, who just yesterday (it seemed) was wearing pigtails and watching Sesame Street could legally drive and had better boobs than her.
    Coffee . She needed more coffee.
    Mimi strapped herself in the front passenger seat and watched Claire with an eagle eye as she went through the ritual of readjusting thecar’s mirrors.
    Cameron turned to face Allie. “Is Dad gonna throw you in jail?”
    Mimi smiled apologetically. “He wanted to know why your car wasn’t here so I, um, explained your situation.”
    Allie grinned at her nephew. “Yeah, I’m in trouble, big guy. Think I can throw myself on my brother’s mercy?”
    Cameron thought this over a second. “Did you ever call him a dweeb when youwere growing up?”
    Claire eyed Cameron through the rearview mirror. “Shut up or I’ll make you sit in front with me.”
    Cameron’s face visibly paled.
    “That’s enough,”