Maxi sighed and flopped down onto a white cement cube that was supposed to hold a sculpture. “Those are the only two artists that I could find who had work that included a holiday theme with a cultural twist. Chandler is not going to be happy that I messed up my first time hosting a gallery event.”
“Don’t worry. We can fix this. Any chance we can get them back?” Claire asked.
Maxi shrugged, “I doubt it. Their egos are as big as their talent.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it. It’s not just artists, either. Restaurant owners too.”
“What do you mean?” Jane asked.
Claire sighed, taking a seat next to Maxi. “Coordinating the menu for Taste of the Town is like trying to organize a herd of cats. Everyone wants their dish to shine, but nobody wants to overlap flavors or types of cuisine. There’s an unspoken rivalry among some of the restaurant owners—you can cut the tension with a knife. Or a fork, depending on the dish.”
Jane grinned mischievously. “Ah, rivalry among cooks. But I bet you and Rob are on the same page.”
Claire’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue. Earlier in the year, she’d started dating Rob Bradford, who owned the bread store across the street from Sandcastles. “Rob and I are perfectly in sync, thank you very much.”
“And what’s going on with Beach Bones? Did you talk to Sandee?” Jane queried, glancing between Maxi and Claire. Claire had started a line of homemade dog biscuits in her bakery and named the line Beach Bones. Unfortunately, she’d discovered someone else was using the name. Even worse, it was her ex-husband’s new trophy wife, Sandee.
Claire shook her head, worry lines etching her forehead. “I don’t know what to do. I probably should just pick another name.”
Maxi’s eyes flared with indignation. “She can’t do that! That’s your brand, your hard work. You can’t let her take that too, Claire.”
“So you haven’t talked to her about it?” Jane asked.
Claire grimaced. “No, not yet. I’ve been avoiding the confrontation. It’s complicated, you know? Tammi said I might be making too much of it.”
Tammi was Claire’s grown daughter who was off at college. Jane wasn’t exactly sure where Tammi stood on the subject of Sandee. Tammi had only been a teen when the divorce had occurred. Claire had tried to shield her from the nastiness and never spoke badly of Peter because he was Tammi’s dad.
“Tammi might not see things the way we do,” Jane said.
Maxi huffed, “Well, you could always try to outsell her. I’ve seen Sandee’s business ventures; she has the attention span of a goldfish. She’ll lose interest and move on to the next shiny object soon enough.”
“I don’t know, Maxi. It’s a risky strategy. What if she doesn’t give up? What if she makes it her mission to dominate the dog biscuit market? I don’t really want any drama.”
Jane sighed. “It sounds like you have some tough decisions to make, Claire. But remember, you’re not alone. We’re here to support you, just like we’re all here to help Maxi with her gallery crisis.”
“Speaking of which,” Maxi interjected, “we still need to figure out what to do about these empty walls.”
“Sounds like we need a girls’ night out.” Jane wiggled her brows.
“Great idea!” Maxi pulled up the calendar on her phone. “We had a couples’ night last week, so the guys won’t feel left out. How about tomorrow night?”
“Sounds good to me.” Jane pulled out her phone. “I’ll send a text to Andie. Should we plan for six at Barnacle Billy’s?”
CHAPTER THREE
Andie’s phone pinged with a text. It was Jane wanting to know if she was free for a girls’ night out on Thursday. Of course she was!
Warmth bloomed in her chest at the invitation. She hadn’t always been this close with her sister; in fact, there had been a time when they’d only spoken on holidays. Moving back to Lobster Bay was the best decision Andie had ever made, and now her life was perfect. She had her friends and even had reconnected with the love of her life, Shane Flannery.
She loved that she, Jane, Maxi, and Claire had formed a friendship bond. She hadn’t had close friends when she’d lived in the city, and she cherished their frequent get-togethers. Usually, they met at Sandcastles for coffee a few times a week. In the summer, they liked to go to Splash after work since it was right on the beach, but it was too cold for that now. So they’d moved to Barnacle Billy’s in Perkins Cove, where they could watch the boats in the cove.
Her fingers tapped out a jubilant “Yes!” on the screen before returning her phone to the counter and picking up the feather duster she’d been using to dust off the antiques in her store.
Amid the charm of weathered cabinets and glass-fronted display cases, Andie’s antique store was a treasure trove of history and beauty. From vintage jewelry to midcentury furniture, the store was a testament to Andie’s keen eye for unique finds. The polished hardwood floors gave off a warm, inviting glow, and the overhead track lighting was strategically aimed to showcase the best pieces. Antique chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space with a soft, welcoming light.
Customers often felt like they were stepping back in time, and today was no different. A few were scattered throughout the store, their eyes wide with curiosity as they rifled through crates of vinyl records or examined ornate picture frames. A faint scent of aged wood and polish filled the air, adding to the nostalgia.
A customer approached the register, holding a delicately painted vase adorned with intricate floral patterns and a crackled glaze. It was one of Andie’s favorite pieces, and she had almost hesitated to sell it.
