Conversely, the boosters seemed to fall into two groups: nice-looking men in business suits who obviously still frequented the gym, and more casually dressed guys whose bodies had begun to show the effect of too much beer and not enough exercise. However, all their wives looked like older versions of the players’ girlfriends.
As Dani and Ivy hurried into the kitchen to work on the meal, Dani pondered the difference. Were men less concerned with their appearance? Or maybe it was more a matter of societal expectations.
Before she could decide, Spencer returned from parking the van, returned her keys, and asked, “Do you need any help in here?”
“I’m good,” Dani assured him. “I saw Bliss out there with Vance, so this might be the perfect opportunity to get her alone for a conversation.”
“Great.” Spencer smiled. “I’ll text you to join me if I’m able to corner her.”
Ivy shot Dani an I-told-you-so look but kept her mouth shut. Dani was in full chef mode and she appreciated the girl’s restraint. She was too focused on the food to take the time to deflect Ivy’s teasing.
She and Ivy had just finished plating the wilted radicchio, endive, and asparagus starter when Tippi and Starr appeared. Seeing that it was ten to seven, Dani sent the girls out to place the salads on the tables and turned her attention to the pork tenderloin with Italian tapenade.
While Dani frantically finished up the main course and sides, she realized that in the future, she would need more help for a seated dinner of this size—someone to assist her with the cooking, as well as an additional server. She’d thought that by prepping most things at home it was doable, but she was in the weeds for most of the meal.
As Ivy, Tippi, and Starr rushed in and out of the kitchen, they kept her informed as to what was happening in the dining room. Ivy reported that Bliss never left Vance’s side and that Spencer was still watching for a chance to talk to their suspect.
Finally, as Dani added the last touches to the coconut shortcake with strawberry-lime compote, her cell vibrated. She snatched it from her pocket and read the message.
Bliss and Vance just had a big blowup. She is headed to the bathroom and he just walked out. I’m going after him. Ladies’ room is a good place for you to accidentally run into her.
Dani threw down her cloth, and as Ivy entered the kitchen, Dani said, “Make sure the desserts get out to the guests.”
Pushing through the swinging doors, Dani ran toward the women’s restroom but skidded to a stop at the entrance. What on earth would she say to Bliss? Hey, knowing Regina was bulimic, did you put an overdose of insulin in your BFF’s junk food stash?
Her mind blank, realizing that she’d just have to make it up as she went along and hope for the best, Dani took a deep breath and walked into the restroom. It smelled of hairspray and expensive perfume. Pausing, her gaze swept her surroundings.
As ladies’ rooms went, this one was pretty nice. To her left was a trio of oval vessel sinks and to her right were three partially open white, wooden doors leading into the toilet cubicles. No metal stalls with barely functioning locks for the folks who rented this space from the university.
Straight ahead, somewhat obscured by a half wall, were two armchairs and a small sofa. Curled up crying on one end of the couch was Bliss Armstrong.
Stepping around the wall, Dani sat in one of the chairs that faced the weeping girl and waited until Bliss’s sobs had subsided. Once there was only an occasional sniffle, she reached into her pocket and handed the distraught young woman a packet of tissues.
After Bliss had wiped her eyes and blown her nose, Dani said, “I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Dani Sloan, a friend of Ivy’s.”
“You own that cool mansion that Ivy and her friends live in,” Bliss said, her voice still raspy from her tears. “You’re the caterer.”
“That’s right.” Dani smiled. “In fact, I cooked tonight’s dinner.”
“It was really yummy,” Bliss said. Then her breath hitched and she added, “At least until Vance…until Vance.” She buried her face in her hands. “I can’t say it. It’s too awful to repeat.”
“I understand.” Dani patted the girl’s shoulder. “But sometimes it feels better to talk about it and get it out in the open.”
“I’m probably just being silly.” Bliss dabbed at her eyes with a wad of disintegrating Kleenex. “My mom always tells me that I’m a drama queen. She says that no one wants to hear my first-world problems.”
“Well…” Dani searched her mind for the right response. “I’m sure your mother means well, but I have to disagree with her on this. Just because your troubles aren’t life-threatening, doesn’t make them trivial.”
“Don’t you have to get back to the kitchen?” Bliss stared down at her pretty dress. She attempted to smooth the wrinkles from the pale-green gauzy fabric. “I mean you’re probably too busy to just sit and talk to me.”
“It’s fine, sweetie.” Dani would have comforted Bliss even if she weren’t trying to investigate Regina’s murder, but guilt still coated the back of her throat like a swallow of milk that had gone sour. “Dessert was being served as I left, so I’m all yours.”
“Really?” Bliss asked, and when Dani nodded, the tiny redhead licked her lips and said, “Did you know that Vance dated Regina before he and I got together?”
“I think Starr may have mentioned that after Regina’s party,” Dani said, hedging, unwilling to reveal just how much she’d discovered about their group. “Did Vance still have feelings for her?”
“Feelings?” Bliss snickered, then blew out a scornful breath. “No. Vance was definitely
