“So what do you think this secret is?”
She shook her head. “Our parents won't say. When mom found out about Asher's plans, she had a nervous breakdown. Cried for an hour; it was like nothing I've ever seen. Dad just gets mad and clams up.”
There was so much for us to talk about, but not here. The chance of Vivian overhearing us was too great.
“Where are you, Sarah?” She waved to me. “I've found a dress you simply have to try on.”
“Coming.” I pulled out my phone. “I think I've got an idea what the big scandal is, but we'll have to discuss it later, in private.”
Macy seemed excited. “Yeah. We'll get to the bottom of their bullshit for sure. Here, have my number.”
After exchanging numbers, I rejoined Vivian, who practically shoved me and a gown into the fitting room. She talked nonstop as I struggled to squeeze into a dress three sizes too small.
“Let me know if that doesn't fit,” she said sweetly. “I've got a much bigger, roomier one here for you.”
“It's... Ugh... Going great.”
“Wonderful.” She shooed away the clerk, it was just us now. “You are quite a lucky girl, do you know that, Sarah? When Asher and you marry, you'll never have to work again. You'll be able to stay home and raise lots of babies. Isn't it wonderful?”
I froze, unsure what the correct answer was.
“Oh, well, I wasn't planning on leaving my job. Hazel's Curiosities is a family business my grandma gave to me, and I'd like to keep it open as long as possible.”
“Your grandma,” she repeated, her tone suddenly icy. “Yes, I know. It is admirable of you, in my opinion. Very important to keep traditions going. After all, family bonds are the most precious thing.”
She'd never met Hazel, but the hate she had for her was obvious. What was the big deal? Even if Charles cheated on his wife to be with my grandma, it happened decades ago. That was hardly anything to loathe a person for today.
“Will your grandmother be coming to the wedding?” she asked, and not in a nice way.
I didn't much mind her nasty question, because at least it covered up the sound of the dress's stitches ripping. Yikes. Hope they didn't make me pay for that.
“Of course she will. Asher had dinner with us the other night, and the two of them seem to get along really well.”
For whatever reason, that annoyed her even more. She heaved the plus-sized dress over the fitting room door with such force, it landed in a rumpled pile at my feet.
“Try this one on,” she spat. “It's definitely more your style.”
Now, I was used to the occasional rude customer giving me an attitude, but never in my life had anyone spoken to me like this. I longed to stand up to her, to tell her to quit being such a witch, but then that was just what she wanted.
“About your business,” she continued. “It is quite a quaint little shop, isn't it? I imagine it must be difficult to operate across from a Goliath like Slicker Image. I'm amazed Asher's store hasn't put you out of business by now.”
“We've managed to survive. Curiosities is more of a niche store, a nostalgia trip, like an old piece of Grant City history. Our customer bases aren't exactly the same.”
“Mm, perhaps. Still, you're not a charity shop. It must be hard to stay afloat with so little capital, and your parking lot does always seem to be empty.”
I wished Macy would come and rescue me again. For all the attitude she had and grief she'd given Cole over the years, she did have her good points. Well, a few of them, at least.
“Asher says he'll help me out with a new marketing plan. He doesn't want to see the shop close either.”
“So he's throwing his money at the problem, is he? That Asher; he thinks he can buy his way out of anything. If he's helping you stay afloat, then I suppose you'll be all right.”
“He hasn't given me any money yet.”
“But if he did, I'm sure you'd gladly accept.”
My phone beeped in my purse, a text message – from Macy?
I'll get rid of her for you. One distraction, coming up.
Moments later, there was a loud crashing sound and Macy yelped in surprise. I peered through the door slats and spotted her next to a knocked-over shelf of necklaces.
“Oh my God, I'm so sorry!” she cried as clerks came scurrying to help. “I'm a total klutz, aren't I, mom?”
Vivian groaned and abandoned her post at the door. “How many times have I told you to watch where you're going? I swear, if you've broken something I'm not paying for it.”
This was the break I needed to get out of this place. I tore off the dress, slipped back into my comfy jeans, gathered my coat and bolted from the fitting room.
Vivian gaped at me as I made for the door. “Where are you going, dear? We haven't chosen a dress yet.”
“Sorry, an emergency came up,” I said. “Don't worry about the dress. I'll pick one out some other time.”
I texted my thanks to Macy and ran for the car. Though we were no closer to uncovering the truth, sticking around was not an option. Besides, if Vivian knew what was up, she'd never spill the beans about it.
All I could do was hope that Asher had better luck with Heath.
Chapter 17 - Asher
“What the hell is wrong with you, mom? I heard all about how you treated Sarah at the bridal store.”
She stopped putting dishes away and looked at me in mock horror.
“How dare you speak to me like that!
