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It was a lovely dress in soft pink. V-neck bodice, soft, tulle skirt flaring out wide, ending just below the knee.
Vivian grabbed the dress. “I’ll try on this one. One. But that’s it. Then I want something to eat.”
Annie’s eyes were twinkling. “Yes, of course, Vivian.”
Shaking her head, Vivian entered the small fitting room and closed the curtain behind her. It was difficult to stay angry with Annie.
As she put down the dress in order to take off her clothes, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Startled, she stared at the face looking back at her. Who was this wan-looking woman?
Turning her back on the mirror, she quickly changed into the pink dress. Well, at least, she looked the part of the small-town girl whose heart had been ripped out of her chest.
The curtain opened, and Annie entered, twirling around in a short, red dress. “I love this one. Ooh, Viv, you look amazing. Come on, let’s get the dresses. Please?”
Rolling her eyes, Vivian sighed. “Okay. But can we then have lunch?”
“Anything you say,” Annie said, and still twirling, she left the fitting room.
It was about half an hour later before they finally left the boutique, though. They had to have shoes, as well, Annie had insisted, and lingerie. Vivian couldn’t really be bothered, but she hadn’t had a chance to buy anything for herself since they’d arrived in Marietta, and she wasn’t sure when she’d have the time or the energy again to go shopping.
As they stepped out of the shop, a familiar figure rushed past them.
“But isn’t that… Janice!” Annie called before Vivian could stop her.
Janice turned around. For a moment, her smile slipped, but then she hurried closer, her smile back in place. “Hi, you two. Shopping?”
Annie hugged their friend. “Yes, Vivian has a few days off. Shouldn’t you be teaching?”
“Everyone is at the Graff today, getting the ballroom ready for the ball. I’ve volunteered to do the last-minute shopping. I… um… Vivian, I’m so sorry about what happened. I’ve been hoping I’d run into you somewhere. I didn’t think it would be in Bozeman, though.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I have to apologize for Mitch’s behavior.”
Janice chuckled. “Well, testosterone can be scary.” She hesitated for a moment. “This is neither the place nor the time, but sweetie, I have to tell you Aiden would never deliberately do anything to hurt anyone, not even for a story. I don’t want to interfere, but I also can’t keep quiet. Aiden is my nephew as well as my godson. I know him. Make sure you have all the facts before you judge. If anything, he cares too much. Two years ago, he tried to help someone…” Biting her lip, she shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not my story to tell, but he was devastated.” She smiled although it didn’t reach her eyes. “Now I have to run. There are a million things we still need for the Valentine’s ball. I hope I’ll see all of you there?”
“You will!” Annie smiled as they waved the older woman goodbye. “You okay?” she asked Vivian.
Vivian frowned. “What did she mean about having all the facts? I do have all the facts. Aiden phoned the reporter and gave him all the information I told him in confidence. That’s the fact. There are no other facts. And what happened two years ago doesn’t matter. It’s what he’s done now.”
Annie was chewing on her lower lip. “I wonder what happened to Aiden two years ago? Viv, I didn’t want to tell you, but Aiden called me last night. I told him I didn’t want to talk to him and ended the call, but maybe there is something we’re missing…”
Vivian turned away and began to walk. Her heart was breaking all over again. What else was there, damn it? Maybe Janice didn’t know her godson as well as she thought she did.
Annie had caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “I’ve also been thinking about what Aiden said after Mitch punched him. Because he’s kissed you, you should know he won’t hurt you. And then he said you should talk to Webster.”
“Annie, seriously, can we please talk about something else?”
“Of course. I just don’t want you to have regrets later on. Maybe you should…”
“Can we please just have lunch? I don’t want to talk about it.”
“As you wish. What about this place?”
Vivian followed Annie into a café packed with people eating and laughing. A huge lump had settled in her throat. She was so angry with Aiden, but at the same time, she missed him. She missed his smile, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way his eyes darkened just before he kissed her, the way he held her, the way he touched her. Nobody had ever touched her like that before.
Oh, damn, this wasn’t helping.
*
“O’Sullivan!” Steward bellowedjust before lunch Friday. “My office.”
