1. That's What Friends Are For Read Free

turned around. "Penny! Are you saying that—you mean that you didn't intend for Brad to come to your wedding?" Her shocked surprise could have been no less than if Helen had just heard that Penny was pregnant with triplets.
    "That's exactly what I mean."
    An expression of pain crossed Helen's face. "Oh, Penny. That's awful."
    "What's awful about it, Mother? It's my wedding. I should be able to invite or not invite anyone I please.''
    "But to leave Brad out, after all you've meant to each other during these years."
    "Mother, don't exaggerate. Brad and I grew up together because we lived next door to each other. Since we're almost five miles out of town, we didn't have too many choices as to whom we played with. And if you remember anything, you can certainly recall that we spent most of our time together fighting!"
    Helen leaned against the counter, staring at her daughter as though she no longer knew her. "Why, Penny, that isn't true! Of course you squabbled at times—any kids who spent much time together would be likely to bicker. Besides, you're both extremely strong-willed and determined to get your own way. No one would expect that you'd always agree on everything."
    Penny absently opened the pantry door and peered inside with absolutely no idea what she was looking for.
    "But, Penny, the two of you were friends. Close friends. I don't understand your attitude toward him now."
    Penny closed the door and turned around. "Well, I don't suppose it matters now, does it? He's here and he'll be here for dinner. I think I'll go on up and take a bath. I want to look calm and relaxed when Gregory gets here."
    Helen stood and watched Penny as she went into the hallway and started up the stairs. There were times she didn't feel she understood her daughter at all.
    Penny stared at her reflected image in the mirror. The pale peach of her dress showed off her darkening tan and brought out the red highlights in her russet-colored hair. She had pulled her hair smoothly away from her face into a cluster of curls at the nape of her neck. She looked poised, sophisticated and calm.
    If only she felt that way! Her insides had been churning all afternoon, which was absolutely ridiculous. What possible difference could it make that Brad Crawford would be there for dinner? she asked herself.
    Unfortunately she could come up with a half-dozen reasons before she had to draw breath. She knew him too well. Depending on his mood, he could be everything a hostess could want in a polite dinner guest. Or he could be perfectly outrageous. Funny, but outrageous. And he knew entirely too many things about her that he could bring up if he felt the urge. It wouldn't be the first time he'd embarrassed her in front of someone important.
    "Oh, Mother," she lamented aloud, "If you'd only asked me, I would have told you that Brad's favorite pastime is ignoring the script and improvising in a situation." A reluctant smile played on her face when she thought of some of the things he'd done in the past. He really did have a wicked sense of humor.
    She realized that she was being a coward, hovering upstairs when she'd heard him arrive at least fifteen minutes earlier. Penny had justified her delay to herself, knowing that her father would monopolize Brad for a while. Sooner or later she would have to face him. Glancing at her watch, she decided now was as good a time as any. Gregory should be arriving before much longer.
    Sure enough, she found Brad and her father in animated conversation. They'd always gotten along well. Her dad had gone to all of Brad's Little League games and stood on the sidelines cheering during his high school football games.
    The little voice inside her said. And don't forget, you were right there, cheering with the best of them.
    Of course she was. She'd been proud of Brad. He was a natural athlete and she'd enjoyed seeing him play. But that was years ago, after all—just part of her childhood.
    Brad stood up as soon as she walked into the