Ashleigh was from a very wealthy and prominent family. She looked every bit the rich, spoiled princess she was on their home planet. Hair, makeup, nails and clothing were, as always, perfect and in the height of fashion.
Beryl wondered why Ashleigh had come to what was considered a backwater planet by some upper-crust factions on Alpha-Prime. Some days, it felt like she’d come for the sole purpose of aggravating Beryl. Logically, she knew that was unlikely, since the Graves family had been on Earth for five years, though they visited Alpha-Prime regularly.
Ashleigh was stellar in her efforts to annoy Beryl, layering on as much sugar-coating as possible to every word that exited her mouth. Mostly, she made Beryl weary. They were not, nor would they ever be, friends.
An example of why was that underlying tone every time they spoke of fake sorrow about Beryl’s “unfortunate” circumstances after her groom jilted her at the altar. Beryl didn’t think they’d had a single conversation that hadn’t included some form of a recap of the worst day of her life since it had happened two years ago.
Ashleigh, of course, had been at the church and witnessed Beryl’s utter and lasting humiliation.
And she never let Beryl forget it. Ever.
“Listen,” Beryl said, “I’m on my way to an appointment, but it was…nice seeing you.” She took a step away from Ashleigh, intending to continue toward Dark Matter Metal & Leather’s front door, wanting to escape any further conversation with the woman. Out of the corner of her eye, Beryl thought she saw the door open.
Beryl had known dismissing the woman wouldn’t work, because Ashleigh wasn’t someone who was easily dismissed, no matter what was going on. If Beryl had been bleeding from the head and attempted to excuse herself to race to the emergency room, she suspected Ashleigh would still want to finish her conversation and express whatever vapid words she had to say.
Today was clearly no exception.
“Now, don’t be rude, Beryl. I just wanted to see how you were doing after your terrible experience of being left at the altar in front of so many of your friends and family.”
Beryl scowled. “That was almost two years ago, Ashleigh. Listen to me and trust me when I tell you—I’m over it! And I’d love it if you never brought that memory up ever again. Am I clear?”
Beryl didn’t know where those angry, totally appropriate words had come from so quickly, but they weren’t a lie. Just unfortunately timed. Ashleigh wasn’t going to let go of her favorite dig at Beryl. Ever. Beryl suppressed a sigh and waited for her frenemy’s reaction.
It didn’t take long.
On cue, Ashleigh’s expression hardened instantly in anger before shaping into a fake hurt look. “Why, that’s so mean, Beryl. As a dear friend, I’m only inquiring after your well-being.”
A hearty laugh came from over Beryl’s shoulder. “You arenotonly inquiring after her well-being,” Jake said. “You’re the one being mean. Lady, why would you ever bring up a painful subject like that if you are, as you claim, a dear friend?”
Beryl turned to see her savior standing in the open doorway of his business, where it was obvious he’d had no trouble hearing their conversation.
“I beg your pardon,” Ashleigh said with a huff, staring at Jake like she wanted to tear his head off. “Who are you and who invited you into this private conversation?”
“Private? That’s funny. If it’s so private, why are you standing on a public sidewalk having yourprivateconversation?” Jake’s eyebrows rose at Ashleigh, challenging her and earning Beryl’s gratitude from this day forward.
Jake turned to Beryl as if dismissing Ashleigh completely. “Come on in, Beryl. You’re right on time. I have your specialrequest item ready for you.” He stepped out of the doorway and motioned for her to enter.
Beryl turned her back on Ashleigh and walked into Jake’s shop without a backward glance or word of farewell.
It was perhaps rude, but she didn’t care. Jake had rescued her from a difficult conversation and she was grateful to him. And would be forever.
As the door closed, Beryl heard Ashleigh exclaim, “Why, I never!”
“Thank you,” Beryl said.
“You’re welcome.”
“Did you hear everything she said?” Beryl asked, knowing it was only a matter of time before Jake found out about her tragic past. Still, she hadn’t wanted it to be so soon and not from Ashleigh.
He shrugged. “I came in at the point she accused you of being rude, which I knew for a fact couldn’t possibly be true.”
“Well, thank you again. Ashleigh is a real pain in my patootie, as my Aunt Dixie is fond of saying about those people who annoy her.”
Jake laughed, even as a puzzled expression washed down his face. “Pain in the patootie, huh? That’s awesome. I may have to borrow it.”
A grin shaped her mouth. “No problem. Aunt Dixie would love that.”
