“Oh, Brittany,” Mrs. Whipple chirped. “I’m pretty sure you held the pieholeprincess every year since the third grade. You were always yapping away about something.”
Brittany’s nostrils flared. Her lips hardened into a straight line. “Very funny.”
Itwasvery funny. Justine could hardly keep the smile off her lips. Mrs. Whipple always had been candid.
“Trevor likes it when I talk,” Brittany added with a sniff. “He says it’s what makes me such a great secretary at his dealership.”
“You betcha it does,” Toby agreed.
This was Justine’s chance to escape. “Well,” she said, “see you guys this weekend.” Quickly then, she pushed her cart toward the checkout. As much as she didn’t like the way Brittany brought up Trevor as often as she did—Justine used to really like the guy, after all—she much preferred that topic over the one about her non-existent fiancé.
Hopefully Becky, the gal at the checkout counter today, wouldn’t bring it up too.
“How are you, Justine?” Becky asked in a soft tone. Just like Brittany’s loud laugh and abrasive ways had stuck with her, Becky’s soft-spoken nature had remained beyond their school years.
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Are you entering the Pie Pageant this year?” she asked as she placed the rhubarb on the scale.
“I guess. I feel obligated since I’m always encouraging everyone else to enter.”
“Did she tell you about her fiancé, Beck?” piped a voice behind. Justine didn’t have to turn around to know whose nasally tone that was.
“Oh my goodness, no.” Becky’s eyes widened as she looked to Justine. “Who are you engaged to?”
“Yeah, Justine, whoareyou engaged to?”
Heat filled Justine’s cheeks. “He’s from out of town,” she heard herself say. It felt like her heartbeat was pulsing along the crown of her head. She needed a way out before it exploded.
“Did you see Brittany’s ring?” she blurted. “She and Trevor are getting pretty serious.”
Brittany broke into a grin and hurried to the register with her hand out to show off the ring. “It’s more of a promise ring for now,” she explained. “But when I told him I wanted to wear it on this finger, he didn’t object.”
Becky hovered over the woman’s outstretched hand. Bright orange polish gleamed from each nail, matching the skirt she tugged at once again.
“That’s so exciting,” Becky said in that sweet voice. A full grin spread over her face. “You two are perfect together. Like a fairytale.”
Justine kept silent. Becky was too kind for her own good. And as sweet as she was, the quiet classmate had always wanted to be part of Brittany’s crew. Or at very least, gain their approval. Something Justine had given up on long ago.
“I think so too,” Brittany agreed with a squeal. “Well, I’ve got to hurry and get the rest of my prize-winning ingredients. Catch you ladies later.” Off she went then, shuffling toward the baking aisle with her cart.
“She really can be nice sometimes,” Becky said, admiration thick on her tone. “Of course, you’realwaysnice.”
Justine smiled. “So are you.”
But she noticed something different in Becky as she scanned the avocados. Her expression had fallen flat. Her shoulders too.
“Is there something wrong?” Justine asked.
She shrugged. “It just seems like a lot of girls from our graduating class are finding their person. You’ve got someone, Brittany does too. Kate got engaged last month. Not to mention the ones who are already married and having kids.”
Justine knew just what she meant. “We’re still young, you know?” Heck, twenty-five was very young.
Becky gave her a weak nod while resting the avocados in the reusable bag. Justine couldn’t help but feel the heaviness dripping off her limbs.
“My dad keeps pestering me,” Becky said. “He says that I need to get onto one of those dating sites.”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” Justine said. “If youfeel ready to meet your person.”
