His Leading Lady by Jean Joachim

closed the
door.
    Mark grinned. “So what do you think?”
    “I think I’ve just been hit by tornado Meg.
She’s great!”
    “Yeah. She is.” He smiled shyly and cast his
gaze to the floor. “Ever since dad took a powder, we’ve taken care
of each other. I’m glad she likes you.”
    “Me, too,” Penny said, falling into Mark’s
arms. They kissed.
    “None of that in front of me until I get my
hands on this Harley character, my blind date,” Megan said, exiting
her room, wearing a T-shirt and jeans. “When is this monumental
occasion? And does my date have a brain to go with his well-toned
body, or is he just a muscle head?”
    Meg plopped down on the sofa and brushed her
long, mahogany locks. The twins were fraternal, as different
looking as night and day. Mark was fair-skinned, blond, and
blue-eyed while Megan had a more olive complexion with glossy dark
hair and brooding brown eyes.
    Penny stared at her boyfriend’s sister. “We
still have time.”
    “Time for what?” Meg asked.
    “To give you a make-over. You’re a beautiful
girl hiding in badly fitting clothes and under a horrible haircut.
But I can fix that.”
    “Is this Harley guy such a big deal?”
    “He’s a great looking guy, used to dating
pretty women. You qualify, just need a little fix here and
there.”
    “Well, that’s blunt.” Meg pushed to her
feet.
    “I’m sorry, but we don’t have much time.
Mark, give me your credit card. Meg, we’re going shopping.”
    “I’m game, but breakfast first.” Meg tucked
her arm in Penny’s.
    The two women turned to look at Mark, who
groaned. “This is going to be a very expensive trip, I think.” He
handed his card to Penny then stuffed his wallet in his back pocket
and closed the door behind them.
    By five o’clock, the women had returned to
Mark’s apartment. He was back from practice and opening a beer when
they unlocked the door. They were laughing and giggling like two
schoolgirls. Meg’s long, lustrous locks had been shorn by about two
inches and styled to perfection. They framed her lovely face with
bangs, shorter on the sides tapering to longer in the back. A
slight curl had been added, and the bouncy do flattered her face
perfectly.
    “Wait until you see what we bought, Mark.
It’s fabulous. By the way, where are we going tonight?” Meg
asked.
    “Bowling.”
    “Bowling? You’re kidding, right? Bowling? I’m
supposed to have some romantic date with this Harley guy, and we’re
going bowling?” Meg fell onto the sofa in a fit of laughter.
    “I can keep my eye on him if we’re bowling.
Besides, I promised Penny a bowling date, and we never got
there.”
    “That’s true. But bowling for Harley and
Meg?”
    “Bowling!” He stomped his foot.
    Meg raised her hands. “Okay, okay, bowling.
I’ll be the sexiest girl on the alley.”
    “He’s coming in an hour. Better get ready.
We’re going in one car.”
    “What?” Meg’s eyes widened. “Why?”
    “So I can keep my eye on you. I don’t trust
Harley as far as I can throw him. He’s a mover.”
    “I’m a grown woman, Mark. And here’s a news
flash for you, I’m not a virgin.”
    “Don’t rub it in.”
    “You can thank your nose tackle or whatever
you call it, Brett Innis, for that.”
    Mark clapped his hands over his ears. Megan
tried to pry them off. The two tussled until the laughter started,
and then they let go.
    “Okay, okay, Meg. You can go in Harley’s
car.”
    “Thank you. Really.”
    Mark studied her hair. “Nice do, Squirt.”
    “We’ve got no time. Come on, Meg,” Penny
dragged Mark’s sister into the bedroom, while he parked himself in
front of the television with his beer.
    At six o’clock sharp, the buzzer rang. Mark
let Harley in the apartment. He was dressed in a navy sports jacket
and khakis. He even wore a blue tie on his crisp, white shirt. His
brown hair was neatly combed, and his handsome face wore a smile of
anticipation.
    “You clean up nice. And you even smell
good—not