Page 18 of Save a Wish

“My aura? What does my aura have to do with my ass?” Vanessa swiveled from the mirror to face me too, but then she noticed Sadie. “Oh. Hi, there.”

“Hi.” Sadie waved a hand at Vanessa’s outfit, which did indeed include a pair of pants that made her butt look non-existent. The denim jacket she had on, however, was a great piece.

“No to the pants,” Sadie said. “Yes to the jacket.”

“I agree,” I said.

“Okey-dokey!” Vanessa gave herself one more glance in the mirror then headed for her dressing room. When she reached it, however, she paused and regarded Sadie. “I love what you have on from top to bottom. You look ready to do some serious yoga.”

Sadie’s face brightened as she gave my sister a full-wattage smile. If I hadn’t already been sitting on the bench, I would have been knocked off my feet by the power of a smile like that one. Truly. Sadie’s nose scrunched up a bit, a dimple adorably dented her left cheek, and that sprinkle of freckles rippled along her nose.

“I’m actually shopping for yoga outfits,” she said. “I’m starting my own business that will include yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, and the like.”

“Oh, that’s just what Greenridge needs.” Vanessa took several steps away from her dressing room to get closer to Sadie. “We have a dance studio and that’s fun and a gym for serious workouts, but nothing that is all about that mindfulness stuff. I would have loved some of that while I was pregnant.”

“Did you just have a baby?” Sadie asked.

“In July,” Vanessa said.

“Well, you clearly made use of the dance studio and the gym because you look fantastic,” Sadie said.

Vanessa glanced back at me then angled her head at Sadie. “I like this one.”

As if Sadie was someone I had brought into the dressing room area.

My sister extended her hand to Sadie. “I’m Vanessa Hartley and that’s my brother—”

“Beckett Hartley,” Sadie finished as she shook Vanessa’s hand, her gaze on me though. “Your brother and I have already had the pleasure, although I’m not sure he found the interaction pleasant.” She looked back at Vanessa. “I’m Sadie Rodgers.”

“Why wouldn’t Beckett think it was pleasant to meet you?” Vanessa asked.

“She insulted my aura.” I sounded sulky, but I couldn’t rewind and say it differently. Or not say it at all.

“I didn’t insult your aura,” Sadie said. “I merely pointed out that it was a little off.”

“See?” Vanessa faced me, her index finger jabbing in my direction. “I said you were glum.” She turned back toward Sadie. “Was he glum when you met him?”

“That might be a good word for the state of his aura,” Sadie said.

“It’s because he’s—”

“Okay,” I interrupted. “We don’t need to discuss my aura or the reasons it may be less than stellar at the moment.” My gaze flicked over to Sadie then I focused back on Vanessa. “Wasn’t I promised dinner? Let’s wrap up here and get to the food, yeah?”

I got up from the bench and ushered Vanessa back to her dressing room.

“It was nice meeting you, Sadie,” Vanessa said as she peeked around me. “Good luck with your business. You know, Beckett could probably help you with that.”

I gave my sister a little push so she had to step into the dressing room then I shut the door.

“Ignore her.” I went back to the bench and sat, hoping and praying that Vanessa would change into her original clothes with an inhuman speed.

“How can you help with my business?” Sadie asked.

“He’s the finance and marketing and tech guy for our family’s wildlife rehabilitation center, Hartley’s Nest!” Vanessa yelled from inside the dressing room. “He’s a whizz with numbers and keeps us all organized and updated with technology that helps us do our work. I’m sure he could help you launch your business successfully.”

“The meal you promised me just got way more expensive, Vanessa,” I said.

“What? Why? I’m complimenting you,” my sister shouted. “I didn’t say anything mean or untrue.”