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We all break for lunch after, diving into paninis delivered from the adorable sandwich shop and bakery across the street.
“It used to be run by witches when it first opened,” Becca says around a mouthful of grilled brie and apple panini. “The cupcakes were so good back then. I swear they enchanted the flour, but I wasn’t complaining.” Her lashes flutter as she adds with a soft moan, “What I wouldn’t give for one of their salted caramel cupcakes with the dark chocolate filling.”
“That was your grandmother,” Sally offers. “Wanda was always opening businesses and then passing them off to her kids. Drove the girls crazy.”
“Kids?” I ask, pausing with my bacon and blue cheese halfway to my mouth. “Mom always said she was an only child. And if she had sisters and brothers, where are they now?”
Becca and Sally exchange uncomfortable glances.
“What?” I press. “Please, guys, I’m on a steep learning curve here. I need all the help and background information I can get.”
Taking a long, slow breath, Sally says in a softer voice, “Your mother had three sisters, but they all passed away not long before she left town.”
“Passed away?” A pain flashes through my chest. I can’t imagine losing three of my sisters all at once. No wonder Mom had to get out of town.
“Suicide,” Becca spits out before ducking behind her sandwich as Sally shoots her a sharp look.
“We don’t know that,” Sally says. “No note was found, and the triplets were in good spirits the day before. And they were always scatterbrained. They might not have known the hurricane was so close when they took the boat out.”
“Everyone knew about the hurricane,” Becca mutters.
Sally frowns, but her expression softens as she glances my way. “The whole town was heartbroken. There’s a memorial to them near the marina. You should check it out sometime.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I’ll do that. Thanks.”
I tuck back into my sandwich, but mentally I’m already brainstorming ways to get more information on Mom’s sisters. There are tons of boxes and old, overflowing filing cabinets in the attic. If there are birth certificates or other important documents about the triplets, I’m betting they’ll be there.
After lunch, Sally works on waxing and body buffing me in between her afternoon clients. The waxing is painful, but not nearly as bad as I was expecting, and by the time she puts the finishing touches on the makeup she insists on doing for me, I’m itching for the big reveal. She hasn’t let me look in the mirror since she put the foils in my hair early this morning.
“Not yet!” Sally shouts as I try to lean around her and steal a peek. “We need a killer outfit first. Becca, what do you have in your car?”
Becca perks up, her dark eyes flicking up and down my frame. “I have some honey brown. Oh, no! Cranberry. It’ll pick up the blush in your cheeks.”
“That’s okay, I can find something at home,” I say, not really wanting to wear some random thing Becca has rolling around in her backseat. My clothes might not be fashionable, but at least they’re clean.
“No, you need to buy one of Becca’s dresses,” Sally says, shooing the younger woman out the door. “They’re incredible. She’s still selling out of her car for now, but some day she’s going to be a world-famous fashion designer. No doubt in my mind.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, crossing my fingers that I have enough to pay for a designer original, even from a designer currently selling out of her car.
When Becca returns, I instantly decide to hock my one good piece of jewelry if I have to. Even before I wrap the buttery soft stretched cotton around myself and tie up the gorgeous satin bow that holds it together on one side, I know it’s going to be perfect. And it is.
As Sally finally plunks me in front of the full-length mirror in the back and tells me to open my eyes, I don’t know what to stare at first. The new caramel-highlights in my hair catch the gold flecks in my brown eyes and make them shine, the dress hugs my curves, looking expensive and relaxed at the same time, and my makeup is subtle but perfect, bringing out my “natural beauty” to its best advantage.
“Wow,” I say, my voice trembling as I hold the gaze of the absolutely stunning woman in the reflection. “I almost can’t believe that’s me.”
“Believe it,” Sally says, giving my shoulder a squeeze as she proudly surveys her handiwork. “And the make-up is super simple. I’ll teach you how to apply it before you leave. That way you can look fancy for all the engagement activities.”
My eyes go round with panic. “Oh, shit. The engagement activities.” A glance at the clock on the wall reveals it’s nearly seven. “Shit. I’m supposed to be at the Blackmore mansion in three minutes.”
“Oh, no,” Becca says. “I would give you a ride, but Sally and I aren’t allowed on their clan’s land.”
Grabbing my bag, I frown over my shoulder. “What? Why not?”
Sally shrugs and rolls her eyes. “Ancient vampire law. Blood feeders are weird.”
“They’re just jealous,” Becca says, crossing her arms. “Because we can feed without getting caught so much more easily than they can.” She lifts a sassy shoulder and lets it fall. “Haters gonna hate.”
“So, you can’t come to the wedding?” I ask, already planning to give Darcy a piece of my mind. Sally is my first real friend in town. If Darcy and I fail to stop the nuptials, I’m going to need a friend there for moral support while I watch my sister sell herself into marital slavery.
