Page 50 of Taken Away

Aubrey narrowed her eyes. “I’m sensing the people in this town enjoy judging me.”

Savannah smiled faintly. “Only a little.”

Lulu circled Aubrey once, studying her like a project she fully intended to win.

She nodded decisively. “We’re putting you in something dangerous.”

Aubrey folded her arms.

“I need a dress for one winery dinner, not revenge.”

“Same thing sometimes,” Lulu replied.

Savannah wandered toward a rack near the back and started flipping through hangers with alarming confidence.

“You know,” she said casually, “this is the first time I’ve seen Bennett genuinely nervous in years.”

Aubrey looked up sharply.

“He isn’t nervous.”

Savannah pulled out a dark green dress and held it up.

“He called me three times before noon.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“He hates making calls.”

“That also doesn’t mean anything.”

Savannah’s mouth twitched.

“He also said—and I quote—‘Please don’t let her show up looking like she’s filing a hostile corporate takeover.’”

Aubrey gasped.

“He did not.”

“He absolutely did.”

“That smug vineyard troll⁠—”

Lulu looked delighted.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Aubrey stepped out of the dressing room barefoot and annoyed.

Both women went completely silent.

Which was honestly worse.

Savannah slowly lowered the champagne flute she’d somehow acquired from somewhere in the back of the boutique.

“Oh no,” Aubrey said immediately.

“Oh yes,” Lulu corrected.