Did he miss her? Or had he been relieved that he no longer had to spend each evening with her? And why did she care? It wasn’t like they had a real relationship.
On Friday afternoon, she stood outside her storefront and watched as Larry and his assistant hung the new sign over the front door.
Mystique’s Magic. The letters were in bright purple against a seafoam green. The sign was quite eye-catching. She’d decided to make the store an homage to her mother.
“Angelique.”
She whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice. “Hi, George,” she said.
George approached her with a wide grin. He pointed to the sign. “So, you’re finally doing it,” he said.
“I am,” she agreed with a smile of her own. In the brief time she had dated George, she had spoken to him about her desire to open a storefront.
“Your mother would be so very proud of you,” he replied.
“Thanks, I like to think so.” Her heart warmed. She knew her mother was smiling down on her from Heaven. “Where’s Desiree?”
“She ran into the dress shop for a minute. I’m just out here cooling my heels and waiting for her,” he replied. “So, when do you expect to open up for business?”
“It will be another month or so,” she replied. She turned back and watched as Larry and his assistant got down from their ladders and folded them up.
“Is that good?” Larry asked her.
“It’s absolutely perfect,” she replied. “Thank you, Larry.”
“No problem,” he told her.
“It’s quite eye-catching,” George said.
“That’s what we want,” Larry said. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you, Miss Santori.”
“I will, and again, thank you,” Angelique said.
The sign men took their ladders and carried them to their truck parked nearby. At that moment Desiree approached with a dress bag in her hand.
“Look, honey. Angelique is getting ready to open her shop. Isn’t that terrific?” George said to her.
“Terrific,” she said. “Hi, Angelique.”
“Hi, Desiree,” Angelique replied.
“I hope this is all very successful for you,” Desiree said.
Angelique smiled at the beautiful woman next to George. “Thanks. I’m just eager to offer some help to people.”
“Best of luck,” Desiree said and then looked at George.
“I’m so darned happy to see this,” he said to Angelique. “But I really shouldn’t be surprised. I know how smart you are and how hard you’ve worked to make this happen.”
Desiree tugged on his shirtsleeve. “Come on, honey. It’s hot out here.”
“Yeah, okay. We’re on our way to the café to grab a bite to eat,” George said.
“Enjoy,” Angelique said and then watched as the two ambled on down the sidewalk.
She turned back around to look at her sign. A warm wash of pleasure swept over her. It was only the beginning, but finally it had begun. She was getting her dream and she couldn’t be happier.
The warm pleasure suddenly iced over as the creepy feeling of being watched took its place. It was as palpable as a hot breath on the back of her neck or icy fingers walking up her spine.
