“Not at the moment. She left to pick up her godchild from preschool, but she should be back in a few minutes.”
So maybe Lily will be with her? My heart pounds hard. I don’t know what Quinn has or hasn’t shared with her employees about Zack’s appearance in her life, so I don’t ask.
“Are you wanting to schedule a consultation?” the woman asks.“She doesn’t have any openings right now, but I’m her assistant, and I’m available.” She gives a diffident smile.
“Actually, I’d just like to browse.”
“Of course. Make yourself at home.” She retreats to the back of the store.
I amble through the displays until I hear a door open in the back. “Hello there, Lily,” the older woman says.
“Hi, Miss Terri!” exclaims a high, childlike voice.
Loud smooching sounds follow. I hear another woman talking with Terri, and then Quinn walks into the front room. I recognize her from her photos, but she’s taller and prettier in person. I feel a stab of jealousy. She’s wearing jeans, a black shirt, and a thin gray sweater. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and what looks like an antique turquoise necklace hangs around her throat.
She gives me a friendly smile. “Hello. Is there something I can help you with?”
“I’m just enjoying your lovely store.”
“Thank you. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
I lift my shoulders. “I’m going to be moving soon, so I’m collecting ideas. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, no, that’s exactly what this place is all about.”
“Is the bunny chair still here?” The child’s voice floats from the side room.
“The what?” I recognize Terri’s voice.
“You had a chair with bunnies on it the last time I was here.”
“Oh, right—the Easter display. The chair’s still here, but I’m afraid the bunnies are all gone.”
“Oh.”
The little girl steps into my view. She’s wearing capris printed with lollipops, a T-shirt with a ruffled neckline, and a pink tutu. Her hair is light blond and wavy, pulled away from her face with an enormous pink bow. And her eyes... my breath hitches in my throat. Her eyes are exactly like Zack’s.
“How ’bout the Sunshine King’s chair?”
Quinn puts her hand on the child’s head. “Clever girl—you remembered that Louis the Fourteenth was called the Sun King.”
She nods.
“That chair sold,” Terri says.
“Aww!” Lily exclaims.
“But we have a new one that’s painted like the Cat in the Hat.”
“Ooh! Ooh! I want to see!” She yo-yos up and down on her toes, then spots me and ducks behind Quinn. “Who’s that lady?” she whispers very loudly.
“She’s a customer,” Quinn whispers back.
“Oh. She’s really pretty.”
Quinn looks at me and smiles, apparently knowing how the child’s voice carries. “She is, isn’t she?”
“Thanks,” I say to Lily. “You’re very pretty, too.”
