“We did notrealize—”
“Please, take our place in line. It’s only right.”
“Oh, it’s no big. In fact, we’re going to hit up another dress shop after this, but you probably wouldn’t have heard of it—too antique for your taste. We’ll see you atthe ball?”
I turn on my heel and leave, not waiting for aresponse.
“As much as I love a good exit, you know that was the only suitable tailor,” Oak huffs, untangling himself from me to crosshis arms.
“Relax,” I say, leading us down the path to the night market. “I know exactly where to go!”
I lead Oak and Ruby to the shop downtown that Moth and I discovered. To my disappointment, the dress from the window is gone, replaced with an equally stunning—but different—gown. Unlike the stuffy shop we fled from, this place has the distinct feeling of walking into someone’s home.
Black tea and honey mingle in the air alongside the scent of lavender and fresh-baked cookies; loose ribbon and silk hang from the ceiling like fresh garland the morning of a birthday party. A tall woman with curled blonde hair and red lips sits behind a sewing machine near the back of the shop. She’s beautiful with long lashes and a strong nose and dragonfly wings adornher back.
“Welcome!” The woman stands to a height that rivals even Moth. Taking in the sight of the three of us, her smile is as easy as if she were welcoming a group of old friends back home after a long time away. She moves to a modest counter with a register and a display of homemade confections.
“Hi! Is it appointment only? Sorry if we’re interrupting,” I bumble, glancing around the shop to see if the green dress is anywhere ondisplay.
“Ah, first time in? Well, welcome!” Her rich voice has a musicality that instantly sets me at ease. “I’m Widow. This is my little slice ofparadise.”
“Aw, I love that.” The idea of being surrounded by beautiful dresses and treats definitely sounds like paradise to me. “I’m Heather, this is Ruby—er—LadyRubyand Oak.”
“Just Ruby is fine,” Ruby says, extending her hand. I cringe at myself, hoping she wasn’t trying to be low key. This whole week I’ve been trying to wrap my head around status and titles and I’d hate to upset anyone without meaning to. Oak offers a quick greeting. I can’t help but notice the soft blush on his cheeks when Widow brings his hands to her lips in a kiss instead of just a handshake.
#swoon
“There was a dress in the window—a gorgeous sort of light moss green. Do you still have it anywhere?” I ask. I’m not trying to kill the moment, but I really,reallywant that dress.
“I’m sorry.” Widow’s red-painted lips dip into a frown. “Someone bought that one this morning—it’s been through alterations and everything.” Her warm hands clasp mine as her face lights up with the stunning smile of a saleswoman. “But I’m sure I have just the thingfor you.”
And she does—multiplethings, in fact. But none of them give me the same rush as that gorgeous gown I caught a glimpse of last night. But they’re pretty, fit like a glove, and conveniently go on the castle’s tab, so two are wrapped in tissue paper and tied up with ribbons while Oak and Ruby make theirchoices.
Within the hour, the three of us have had a full-on shopping montage. Exhausted, we sit in a small pillow-filled nook at the front of the shop, a large round window at our backs. With cups of tea and homemade cookies, I yearn for Rosie and Clara’s farmhouse with a humble plate in front of us.
I pluck a cookie from the plate, and the crumbly texture combined with the overwhelming flavor of butter and what tastes like lemon and basil is surprisingly addictive. I’ll have to ask for the recipe. Clara would love these.
It’s only been a few days, and I miss them. Have I ever had friends I misslike this?
“How dare you discover such a hidden gem in less than a weeks’ time,” Oak grumbles. “I cannot believe I’ve passed this place without notice for years.” To be fair, it is nestled in a fairly secluded little alcove off the main path. Foot traffic must be hard to come by, which explains why we have the entire shop to ourselves.
“I am maddened by how many times I’ve suffered shopping elsewhere when I could have been enjoying a visit here,” Ruby says, taking a sip of her tea and letting out a relaxed sigh.
“Truly. How devious of you, Heather, to be a world away from us.” Oak puts his arm around me and pulls our shoulders together. Normally, I’d be worried about him getting the wrong idea, but with the glances he keeps stealing at Widow, I amsonotworried.
“May it never happen again.” Ruby raises her cup and Oak lifts his. I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I can allow myself to cheer to that. As it stands now, we’re only going to be here for two more days, but I don’t want to put a damper on the moment.
“Cheers.” I clink my cup to theirs. It’s not lost on me how strange it is that the two friends I have managed to make have both dated my boyfriend, but whatever jealousy I felt has settled. Not only do I genuinely like these two, but they might be the only people that can help me fill in the gaps about what his life was like before—and why he was so upset when I suggested staying.
“You appear to have gotten your footing since earlier this week.”
“I’ll say. Until Oak told me, I had no idea you also suffered from memory loss,” Ruby says. Her voice drops to a whisper as she moves just a little closer.
“Oh no.” I bite my bottom lip. I like Ruby and Oak, but the whole “I’m from the human realm” thing isn’t something I should let slip in the middle of a dress shop. “I’m getting used to things, for sure, but honestly, I feel like I’m faking it ninety percent ofthe time.”
“Aren’t we all?” Ruby lets out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing back into her seat. “The season is alwaysexciting.”
“And so dreamy,” Oak whispers, very obviously starring at Widow who is back to work behind the sewing machine, taking in the lavender suit coat he’s picked out.
