should be a big deal.
Then I ruin it in classic Audrey fashion by referring to TikTok as the ‘Tikity-Tokity.’
Bethany scrunches up her nose and stares at me, head tilted to the side in a way that reminds me of her dad. “No one says that.”
“Oh, right.”
“Don’t worry.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “I’ll teach you.”
We’re on our fourth bow tie by the time Bethany’s really got the hang of it. We’re perfecting the best way to attach these to a dog collar when my door jingles. Without Miller to help, I tell Bethany to keep working as I jump up to greet the new customer.
“Hi,” I call out, turning towards the door. “How can I—”
I freeze.
The person who’s just walked through my door isn’t a customer. Or if they are, I wish they weren’t.
I wish they were buried firmly in my memory where they belong, not here blinking in fake surprise at seeing me.
“Audrey?” the woman says, grinning a too-wide smile. “Is that you?”
The woman in question is my age with dark brown hair, a nose piercing, and more than a couple of tattoos snaking up her arm. She’s wearing those back-in-fashion high-rise jeans and a tiny tank top, very 90s revival.
“Hi, Carrie,” I say. “It’s been a long time.”
But not long enough. It’s never long enough for a ghost from the past to pop in, is it? A ghost who knows way, way too much about me.
Carrie sees Bethany and waves. “Oh. Sorry. Am I interrupting something?”
“Oh,” I say, panic filling me up by the minute. “I was just—”
“Nope,” Bethany says, but she’s watching more carefully than I’d like. “You’re not interrupting.”
“Cool,” Carrie says. “I just figured I’d pop in here. I heard about this store on a Reddit thread, and when I saw Audrey’s name, I knew I had to come and see for myself.”
“Well,” I say, feeling very, very warm and wondering if I’m sweating. I must be. “Here you are.”
“Here I am.” Carrie nods. “It’s good to see you on your feet. You know”—she dramatically alters her voice to a whisper, but it’s no quieter in volume—“after the Breakup.”
Upstairs, a wrench clatters to the ground.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I cannot have Carrie talking about the Breakup or about anything else from my sordid past. She needs to leave. Right now.
Especially since she’s giving me a sad smile that tells me that she was never actually interested in my store. She just wanted to pop in and see if the rumors of my self-implosion were true.
“I’m sure you’re in a hurry,” I suggest. “Were you looking for anything or just passing through?”
I’m being rude. I know I am, but desperate times.
Carrie looks hurt, but recovers quickly. “I just wanted to see what you were up to. We were worried you might not be able to bounce back after, you know, everything. It’d be criminal for you not to.”
She gives a knowing little wink to Bethany, who, bless her, just stares impassively back.
“Okay, well, it was great seeing you,” I lie. “I’m sorry you don’t have more time. Next time call and we’ll set something up.”
I all but walk her to the door and finally, finally, she’s gone. I let out a breath and lean back against the counter.
Carrie might be gone, but she’s reminded me my past isn’t.
Criminal histories have a way of catching up with a girl.
And it’s a very good reminder I’m the last thing the governor needs. Not that he’s asking to keep me or anything.
“Don’t worry,” Bethany reassures me. “I know all about mean girls.”
“Bethany, let me give you some advice.”
“Okay.” She nods eagerly, sure I’m about to impart some real worldly wisdom. And I am.
“Stay in school. Just say no. And if you get dumped, he’s not worth the felony.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Soon after Carrie departs, I close up the shop and we all head back to the mansion. Bethany continues to pepper me with design questions, asking me who my favorite designers are and what my favorite dresses are that I’ve upcycled. I’m thrilled to talk about anything that pushes Carrie and the Breakup out of my mind, but more than that, I just really like talking to Bethany. Her genuine curiosity is endearing and, unlike her dad, it’s not hard to figure her out.
“What about fashion trends?” Bethany asks. “Like, how do you even know what’s going to be hot next?”
“Well, I love a classic look, always. And luckily since I upcycle vintage clothing I’m not super focused on what materials and