‘That you don’t care about weddings.’
‘Oh. Right.’
Eva reached over and nudged her gently with her elbow. ‘Relax. I’m not going to hold it against you.’
Maddy froze for a second and then laughed. Not her usual nervous, mirthless laugh. A real one. ‘You’re easier to talk to than I thought you’d be,’ she admitted, biting her lip.God, why did I just say that?
‘Really?’ Eva said, clearly amused. ‘The word I usually get is, “terrifying.”’
Maddy shook her head, cheeks hot. ‘You’re not terrifying. I mean, youarea bit intimidating. But also…’ She stopped, realising she was saying too much.
Eva raised an eyebrow. ‘But also… what?’
Maddy sighed. She was going to say. She didn’t have much choice. ‘Sweet, I guess.’
Eva blinked, then laughed. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been calledthatbefore.’
‘Well, you are,’ Maddy muttered, suddenly fascinated by the laminated price list on the counter. ‘In a blink-and-miss-it way.’
‘Blink-and-miss-it sweet,’ Eva repeated thoughtfully. ‘I’ll put it on a business card.’
Maddy kept looking at the price list. Somewhere behind the curtain that separated the shop from the kitchen, something metallic clattered.
‘Stay in that position a second,’ Eva said suddenly.
‘Huh?’
‘Your profile, hold it.’
Maddy was confused but did as she was told.
‘Yep,’ Eva said. ‘That’s the shot when we do your photos.’
‘It is?’
‘Your profile is…’
‘What?’ Maddy asked anxiously.
Eva didn’t look away. Her gaze moved slowly, thoughtfully, as though she were committing the angle of Maddy’s face to memory.
‘Exquisite,’ she said finally.
Maddy’s breath caught. ‘Exquisite?’
‘Yes.’ Eva’s voice had lost its teasing edge. ‘Sharp here.’ She gestured lightly near Maddy’s jaw, not quite touching it. ‘Soft here.’ Her finger gestured to Maddy’s mouth. ‘You look like you belong in a painting.’ She cleared her throat. ‘I don’t mean to be shallow, but your face makes everything so much easier. Because every bride is trying to reach a certain something for the day. And we won’t need to work that hard for you. You’re already there.’
Maddy turned to stare at her. No one had ever described her face like that. Pretty, sometimes. Nice enough. Fine.
Neverexquisite.
‘Well, now you’redefinitelybeing sweet,’ Maddy managed weakly.
‘Nope.’ Eva’s expression didn’t waver. ‘I’m really not.’
For a second, neither of them spoke. The jazz hummed softly above them.
Then the curtain at the back swung open.
