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What? “They’re our friends. They do this because they love it as much as we do.” I had no doubt of that—there wasn’t any reason to keep helping us year after year if they didn’t all think it was fun, too.
“What did you have in mind, picture-wise?” Onyx asked.
“Crayon background.” As Maddox talked, he never stopped moving, putting each bag where it belonged. “High contrast black and white of Alys, overlaid after the fact, and paint your hair and lips on the photo itself. Let’s do it. Call Aubrey and ask if we can use her studio.”
Decision made apparently. Not that I disagreed, but the tone and pace of the conversation had me on edge. “I’ll head over there now and talk to her, if you want to get your gear together.”
“I’ll meet you both there with breakfast,” Onyx said.
Good point. Maddox had skipped eating this morning—that was how bad this was hitting him.
I took off for Aubrey’s. As I hit Main Street, I swore I heard my name, but whispered rather than called. I glanced over my shoulder to see two women about my age, pushing strollers and dressed in tracksuits. They stood outside the coffee shop, drinks in hand and children looking absolutely bored.
Both women stared at me, mouths clamped shut. I was pretty sure one of them was the woman who was at Aubrey’s when Don came in the other day.
There was no one else on the street, so if I had heard my name it was from them. Did I go to high school with them? No. They were probably a decade younger than me. Maybe I imagined it all.
I turned back on my trip, and heard snatches. Don Spader…slut…lied…pregnant.
Fuck. I hated that rumor. One of my least favorite. Not that I liked any of them that involved me and Don. Though, how I’d managed to avoid overhearing any of the gossip since I’d been back was beyond me.
Why did it have to be today, though? I wasn’t emotionally equipped to shut out the whispers on top of everything else.
When I got to Aubrey’s, she was sifting through a series of twenties-style flapper dresses with Ravyn. They both looked up, and their smiles were a warm contrast to the cold women outside.
“Hey, how are you holding up? How’s Maddox?” Aubrey asked.
Broken. Or at least a little cracked. “He’s been better.”
“Is it true, then?” Ravyn asked. “About his dad?”
Who the hell knew what she’d heard? “He had a heart attack. He’s okay though. I mean, I guess not totally okay, but he survived. He’s recovering in the hospital.”
“Good,” Ravyn said. “I was going to call, tell you your painting is ready, but I didn’t know… The timing seemed bad.”
“That’s cool. Seriously, thank you.” Good news I could give Maddox. If he wanted to distract himself with the contest, this would help. “We might want to come by later today, or tomorrow.”
Ravyn shrugged. “I’m super busy shopping for a dress for a fundraiser.” She nodded at the assortment Aubrey had out. “Which means I’m super tied up— Kidding. Whenever you want is fine.” She grinned.
“Which one are you thinking about?” I needed a little more levity in my day, and talking dresses with Ravyn and Aubrey would be a nice, short distraction.
“I love this one.” Ravyn held up one that was so dark green it was nearly black, and brought out the vibrance in both her hair and eyes. “But it wasn’t really made for someone with my assets.” She looked down at her chest.
Aubrey jerked her thumb toward another section of the store. “I have period-appropriate bindings if you want.”
“Don’t do it.” I had to stop Ravyn in case she didn’t know. “No dress is worth it.”
Ravyn lifted her large, round breasts, and pressed them together. “Tits this nice? I’m not hiding them.”
Aubrey let out an exaggerated huff. “Showoffs.” She plucked another dress from the rack. “Fine. The colors won’t be as stunning on you with this one, but the neckline…”
Ravyn held it in front of her, and twisted and turned, examining her reflection in a nearby mirror. The V-neck dipped low, the waist curved in, and fringe hung past the hemline. The deep burgundy and sequins still brought out a stunning flush in Ravyn’s pale skin.
“It highlights my freckles.” Ravyn wrinkled her nose.
“Which are adorable. Go try it on.” Aubrey pushed her toward the dressing rooms. She turned to me when Ravyn stepped into one of the cubes. “You didn’t come here to watch someone else pick out dresses. How are you really?”
“Same as before. But I did come to ask if we could use your studio today, for more pictures. Maddox wants to get some shots in.”
