Anna joins us in the driver’s seat. “Okay ladies, who’s ready to shop til we drop?”
“Or until Hazel kicks us out.” Willow laughs.
“I can’t wait to get a good, old-fashioned small town Fourth of July,” I mumble over a mouth full of sugary goodness.
“Did your town in North Dakota not have a big festival for Fourth of July?” Violet asks.
Freezing mid-bite, I try to think of a lie. I didn’t plan this part out.
“Soph’s parents aren’t exactly the town festival type. Or the type that lets you go out.” Aubrey steps in for me, saving me yet again.
“Yeah. My dad was pretty overbearing, and if he wasn’t there, he stuck my brother on me. Kind of a buzzkill when it came to going out and having fun with friends too,” I offer before quickly shoving my mouth full again to buy some time to elaborate on the lie.
The truth is, the Chiaves weren’t welcome at any town events. We had plenty of cute small town events, but I was never invited. At school? I was the pariah. Only Aubrey would give me the time of the day at that one chance meeting at Buckles and Brews.
“Well, you’re in for a real treat. The Fourth of July Festival was the highlight of my childhood when I spent summers here with Gran,” Violet tells me.
“Ha! Only because you were holed up somewhere in your secret spot with Liam, only emerging for snacks until the fireworks started.” Emma points at her.
“We only came out for snacks if he didn’t get a picnic basket from Mimi K. We liked to stay holed up on our own.” She shrugs.
“Absolutely shocking that you guys never wanted to be anything more until you moved back.” Evelyn shakes her head.
“I just love hearing all your love stories,” I say dreamily.
Anna stares at me through the rear view mirror. “Are you still sure you’re not meant for your own?”
The other five sets of eyes turn to face me.
“Yeah, bestie. Are you sure?” Aubrey waggles her eyebrows.
“Wait. Are we missing something? Is she dating someone?” Willow asks. “Or am I the only one not in the know because I’m not here?”
“Girls. Sophia will tell us in her own time when she is ready.” Anna smiles at me. “Besides, we have shopping to do. Not gossiping.”
As she steps out of the truck, everyone else goes slack jawed, dropping open to the floor.
“Did she just…?” Emma starts, letting her question trail off.
“She’s just as bad as Esther and Gran!” Violet says.
“Oh gosh. She’s trying to play innocent, girls. And you know what that means.” Evelyn taps her chin.
“Um. I actually don’t. Newbie here, remember?” I remind her.
“That, my new friend, means that woman knows something she’s trying to keep secret.” Violet slaps my shoulder as she gets out of the car.
“And we will get to the bottom of it,” Emma says. “This family doesn’t have secrets.”
I swallow hard. I do. Big ones. How will they feel when they find out the truth?
“If it isn’t my favorite group of ladies!” A short woman stands on the sidewalk, welcoming us in. “Oh my, do we have a new addition, Mama?”
She saunters over to me, grasping me by the shoulders and taking me in from head to toe. “Size four. Tiny little thing. Small top, maybe a medium, because you’ve been blessed by the Gods in the boob area. Size seven shoe. Five foot three.”
Turning away from me without actually introducing herself, but accurately describing my sizing, she waves her hands in the air. “Come, come! I have new goodies for you!”
“That’s just Hazel. You’ll love her. She’s the best and has the most comfortable clothes that still look amazing,” Evelyn whispers as she passes by me.
