a legitimate reason for not being able to go. “Can you fill in your address and information here?” I slide my pad over toward her. She starts filling it in.
“Is all of this for sale?” Mia points to one of the tables we have set up in the shop.
“Yes, even the table and any artwork you see on the walls.” Mia stands and starts looking around at everything. “This is beautiful.” She runs her hand across one of the antique tables that Neily refurbished herself.
“My business partner and best friend, Neily, is the artist. Everything you see here has been done by her. I bake all of the sweets and she creates all of the art.” I nod over to Neily who has her headphones in, not paying a lick of attention to us. When she’s sketching in her notepad, she’s in a whole other world.
“She’s very talented.” Mia takes out her phone, snapping a picture of the table. Amelia gets up and starts looking around at stuff, too.
“Does she do custom work? I’ve been redoing my place and I’m still looking for a few things,” Amelia asks as she continues to look around.
“Sometimes.” I pull the notepad back toward me to look at her information.
“Your husband is Ethan King?” I look up at the woman.
“Maybe?” Her eyes shoot a glance toward Mia.
“You’re so busted,” Mia says. Her phone dings. “I’m going to get this.” She taps the table she was eyeing.
“So, Sean King is your brother-in-law.” I confirm what I already know to be true.
“So, you know him?” Amelia pretends to be shocked.
“Stop while you’re ahead. You’re a terrible liar.” Mia rolls her eyes.
“It’s not a lie. It’s a question.”
“That you know the answer to.” Mia shakes her head at Amelia. I have to fight a smile at their banter because it reminds me a little of Neily and me.
“I met him last night. As you and the rest of this city seem to know.” I stand up, taking my notepad with me.
“They are always trying to get pictures of Sean. For some reason everyone is obsessed with who he’s dating.” I can tell she’s trying to downplay it for Sean. He is, after all, her brother-in-law.
“Well, it’s not me. I mean it's me in the picture but we’re not dating.” I look down at the notepad. “It looks like I’ve got everything I need.”
“I’m just saying you can’t believe everything you read.”
“I agree.” She smiles, thinking she’s gotten me on this. “Just like you can’t believe Sean and I are together because we kissed.”
“You know what? You’re right.” Amelia picks up her purse. Her hand goes to her round belly. “You give that man a chase. It’s good for them. Gotta keep our men on their toes.” I go to tell her again that he’s not my man but she cuts me off. “I’ll see you tonight.” She grabs another cookie before heading out the door.
“See you later.” Mia gives a small wave as she follows her friend out. I walk over to Neily, pulling her headphones out of her ears.
“They are related to Sean.”
“He sent in spies!”
“I don’t know. I guess?”
“Did they at least buy some stuff?” She reaches for my notepad. “Damn.”
“They want that table, too, and asked about custom pieces.”
“I like these people.” She hands me my notepad back. “You got a lot of cooking if you want to get that done for tonight. I’d help but—” She shrugs.
“I’d like my kitchen to not catch on fire.”
“You’re never going to let that go. The kitchen didn't catch fire. It was just the stove.” We’ve had this fight five million times and I know we can go back and forth for an hour about it. I don’t have the time, so I change the subject back to the task at hand.
“They want me to stay for the shower. I told them I was bringing a friend.”
“Who? I’m your only friend.” I smack her with my notepad. “Jesus. This Sean guy has made you violent.”
“This is going to take me at least four hours. I need you to run home and get me something to wear for tonight. We’ll have to leave straight from here.” I look to her cell phone that is buzzing on the table. “Unless you have other plans you want to tell me about?”
“Nope. I’m golden.” She hops up from her chair, grabbing her phone. “I’ll go get our crap now.” She pushes her glasses up her nose. “If anyone comes looking for