“I knew Eric loved me when he gave me a cookbook and wroteTell your storyinside,” Jo said.
“John took me to the beach where we had our first date,” Meg said.
“Dan gave Beth a kitten,” I said.
“That’s adorable,” Jo said.
“Until it starts sharpening its claws on the furniture,” our mother said.
I nudged her. “Come on. You know you love Patches.”
“But how do you feel about Dan?” Meg asked Beth.
A shadow fell across our sister’s face. “I need to get better.”
Which was no answer. Or the only answer. Beth needed to focus on herself now. Self-care first. Survival first.
“Not every road leads to romance,” our mother said.
“Beth’s on her own journey,” Jo said. “She doesn’t need a sidekick.”
“Except us.” I gave her a hug.
Beth squeezed me back, her eyes shiny. Her arms were skinny and frail. “I still have a long way to go.”
For a minute I was afraid.
“You’re not alone,” Meg said. “Whatever happens, we have each other.”
The bells over the door jangled. I turned as a woman entered the shop with a little girl around Daisy’s age. Recognition pricked me. Did I know her?
I smiled politely. “I’m sorry, we’re closed. I hope you’ll come back next week.”
“Hi, Jenny,” Meg said.
The woman’s glance darted to my sister. “Hey, Meg.”
Jenny. I narrowed my eyes. Jenny Snow, Queen of the Mean Girls, was in my shop.
“What do you want?” I asked, earning a sharp look from Momma.
“I saw your sign. In the window?”
help wanted.
“Yes?” I asked. Not encouraging. Hey, karma was a bitch.
Her fingers twisted the strap of her bag. “So, are you hiring?”
“Do you have any sewing experience?”
“No.” She raised her chin. “But I’ve worked retail.”
My gaze traveled over her ordinary bag, her cheap shoes. I waited for the rush of mean satisfaction before I told her to get the hell out of Baggage. And felt... nothing.
The little girl at her side played with the bright tags hanging from the display.
I sighed. It had taken me a while to get here, but I knew something about behaving badly because you were jealous and insecure and desperate for attention. I wasn’t that girl anymore.
