“Different?” Collin leaned in, this time forgetting the flowers altogether as they bumped into the back of the armchair she’d been a prisoner of for the past hour. More petals fell from the cluster of blossoms, making a pile on the ground.
Amelia’s heart started to pound. She hadn’t told anyone of her concerns about Caleb’s strange and erratic behavior, but for some reason, Collin, who was as close to a stranger as her sister’s fiancé could be, seemed the safest person to confide in. She opened her mouth, ready to unleash the story of the picture in the car, the strange meeting on the park bench, his appearance at the park, and then the urgent words of warning about a man he was apparently accosting in the street as they were speaking. Before she could say a word, the soft whisper of fabric and heavy clomp of street shoes made her head turn.
“Hey, you guys gotta know that these walls are paper thin and I’ve heard every word you’ve said.” Ellie stood outside of the swinging curtain that separated the short hallway of changing rooms from the showroom floor. This time she wasn’t wearing a wedding dress but was back in her low-rise boyfriend jeans and tight red tee shirt, hair frizzing out around her temples, a huge smile on her face. “And I agree with what Amelia said earlier. You are the sweetest.”
Ellie looked more beautiful smiling at Collin and wearing her rumpled street clothes and day-old mascara than she had in any of the dresses so far. Yes. That was the smile her father wore in that picture. God, it didn’t matter what dress she picked, did it? That smile said it all.
Amelia stood back and watched carefully as Ellie ran across the room, dropping her bag and a pair of standard white pumps covered in a soft dyeable fabric and leaving a trail of belongings behind her. With a giant leap off the top stair, she collided with Collin, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. After an aggressive hug, she pulled her head back away from his and while staring into his eyes, leaned in for a kiss. It was just a little creepy to watch your sister make out with her boyfriend.
She’d have to wait until another time to talk to Collin about his brother. She expected to feel disappointed by this realization but ended up a little relieved. She still had her secret. Once she opened her mouth, everything would change. Her concerns about Caleb would either be confirmed and he’d have to leave Broadlands Roofing, or she’d be laughed at and never ever live it down. She looked at her watch. Six minutes to three. Barely enough time to make it to the diner without ending up with embarrassing sweat marks under her arms.
“Okay, you two. I have to go.” She ran a hand through her hair, sweeping her fingers back and forth to try to regain some body. “Do I look business-y enough?”
Ellie’s feet hit the floor, smile still broad, her cheeks flushed a flattering pink. “Um, if ‘hot’ is business-y, then, yeah. Totally.”
Amelia flapped her hand toward Ellie in a halfhearted swat.
“Knock it off. I’m serious. Collin?” She struck a sideways pose.
“I’ll just pretend you aren’t using ‘business-y’ as an adjective and say, yes, you look well prepared for a business meeting,” Collin added. It seemed like he was starting to get used to the sisterly banter, which was a necessity as far as Amelia was concerned. “Is this that ‘real estate agent’ thing?”
“Yeah. Probably getting all dressed up for nothing. Pretty sure Randy’s just being nice.” Amelia tossed the bag over her shoulder, getting a little nervous for the first time since she’d called Randy back, taking him up on his offer to learn a little more about real estate. “Anyway, you two have fun. And L—I still think you should try to get a nap in.” She flipped her hair over both shoulders and then changed her mind, gathering it all in one hand and pulling it over to the right side.
By then, Ellie and Collin were only half listening, which made it easier for Amelia to rush out the door, running on her black high heels. She’d calculated the time it took to walk from Stacey’s Bridal to Frank’s Diner based on her speed in her gym shoes, not the wobbly deathtrap of her heels. The backs slipped up and down, slightly too big. The air was cool enough to keep her from sweating, but that didn’t stop her heart from pounding a million beats a minute. She could perform on her cello in front of an audience of a thousand strangers and feel confident, but a simple business meeting had her about to pass out. Business wasn’t her “thing”; it was Steve’s “thing.” What if she made a complete fool of herself? As she zeroed in on the diner, Randy’s BMW sparkled in front of the restaurant like a silver dollar among a bowl full of pennies.
Steve wasn’t sure about her sudden interest in real estate, but they were far enough in debt that he seemed willing to let her give it a shot. The two men hadn’t met yet, and Amelia was pretty sure Steve would find Randy Mraz annoying and stuck up, but if he became her boss and helped bring in an income that included more than a gift certificate to the local nail salon as a thank-you for a performance, he’d play nice. Steve said he didn’t mind her working, but it also always seemed like he was never around when she had a gig. If she could work more locally and bring in a bigger paycheck—this could possibly work out.
She always wondered why Frank and Company never repainted the dinged-up green front door. It couldn’t take more than a can of enamel to refresh the whole look of the establishment. As she reached for the handle, the door suddenly opened outward, the handle hitting her palm with a crack. Pain ricocheted up her arm and elbow and into her shoulder. She pulled the wrist into her side, letting out a little squeak, the cellist inside her freaking out about how she was going to play anything if her bow arm was damaged.
Caleb rushed out from the diner, wrestling a worn ball cap onto his head. Amelia let out a little gasp, but he either didn’t recognize her or didn’t want to acknowledge her presence. Maybe he mistook her for a businesswoman passing through town. In the past, she would’ve reached out and grabbed his arm or at least called his name, asked him what was wrong, asked him to have coffee with her and talk through things. But today she let him slip by, fading into the background, worrying about him briefly but also hoping he didn’t turn around and notice her.
The door opened again, and this time Amelia made sure to lunge back before getting hurt, her aching wrist still pulled into her body. Randy hurried out, rushed but still dignified in his gray suit, deep blue tie, and stylish tan shoes, his hair styled to one side with enough product in it to rival Amelia on her fanciest day.
“Oh, Amelia, there you are,” Randy said, his eyes scanning the street before resting on her.