Page 186 of Spicy Ever After
I take a slow breath and remind myself that maybe Hattie doesn’t know that. This is her first relationship. And even if it weren’t, she sees the world her own way.
“I need to be patient,” I mutter.
“That would probably help,” Margaret says gently. “She’s… she’s going to be gone for a while, Beck.”
My patience crumbles. “How long?”
Her voice gets small. “About a month?”
“And she’s not going to talk to me that whole time?” There’s nothing small about my voice.
“Beck, I-I don’t know. She just said she’s not ready to talk to you now.”
It sinks in that I’m not worried about Hattie anymore.
Theoretically, that’s great. She’s safe and people who love her know where she is.
I’m just not one of them.
Yes, I’m relieved and grateful.
But I don’t get a chance to even enjoy those emotions.
Because I’m so stupid pissed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
HATTIE
Viv Couture is a sewist’s sweet dream.
It’s a three-way meet cute between a fabric store, a craft space, and a bespoke boutique in South Park.
Almost three weeks ago, I fell in love in the doorway.
And I think Vivian Ireland is who I want to be when I grow up.
Her shop is a ten-minute bus ride from Summit House—or a six-minute Uber, but with Gwen’s encouragement, I challenged myself to try public transportation.
I was nervous to get on the bus for the first time, but I’d already downloaded the pass app and knew where I wanted to go. It was so much easier than I expected, I think I startled the bus driver when I proclaimed:
“THAT WAS SO MUCH EASIER THAN I EXPECTED!” before disembarking.
And since then, I’ve discovered that if I get off the bus two stops early, I can hit Intazza Coffee Mug & Grub for a Hot Bee’s Knees. No, it’s not a steaming gin cocktail. It’s an espresso with honey, cinnamon, and milk.
I crave them daily, but I’m addicted to Viv Couture.
At the boutique, with any purchase of $10 or more, you can use the shop’s craft space, which is A-MAZ-ING! With craft tables arranged in a sort of E shape, as many as ten people could be sewing, Serging, cutting, pinning different projects—all at the same time.
The $10 cover is laughable since I want to buy everything. Vivian even has an entire case of Aurefil threads!
So. Many. Colors.
One corner of the shop is for consignment. Sewists can sell what they make right in the store.
I’ve been coming here almost every day after morning sessions. When I walk in this morning, Vivian’s talking to me before I can take off my headphones.
“...Sold this morning! Not even a whole day, Hattie!”
