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She nodded, beaming. “Yes. I’m so glad people are enjoying the merchandise.”
She looked so happy, it rubbed off on me. “Well, congratulations!” I set the cup of coffee in front of her.
Her delicate brows rose. “What’s this?”
“Derric said it’s your favorite. I stopped by earlier and since I was planning on coming, I thought I’d bring you something.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened as she wrapped a hand around the cup. “You shouldn’t have. That was too sweet.”
I took a sip of my cafe mocha. “Don’t mention it.”
When I turned to peruse the racks, someone came out of the dressing room. I tensed, coffee halfway to my mouth as Liv walked out, her arms laden with clothing.
My already sensitive stomach roiled, and I fought to keep that cinnamon roll down as she sauntered toward the checkout counter, her eyes snagging on me.
She halted, her dainty nose wrinkling before she continued her way to the counter.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She flung her items on the counter and put a hand on her hip, looking down at me as if I were an annoying fly that wouldn’t leave her be.
“Did you find everything you were looking for, Liv?” Faye’s voice was light, but her brows narrowed in confusion as she glanced between the two of us.
Liv’s eyes cut to Faye, and she nodded stiffly. “Yes, I’ll take it all.” Her attention snapped back to me.
I shifted under her death glare but didn’t know how I was supposed to react. Atlas said she wasn’t his girlfriend, but she told me she was with him. So, what did that make me to her?
“What’s your name again?” Liv asked, her voice coated in venom.
I cleared my throat, glancing down at my coffee. “I—I’m Wren. Wren Brooks.”
“Ah, that’s right. The new girl. The girl who showed up absolutely out of nowhere and suddenly I can’t get away from, huh?”
I bit my lip, trying not to let her get the better of me. “It’s a small town.”
There was a pause. I saw Faye slowly ringing up and folding Liv’s purchases in my peripheral. I wished she’d hurry up. Maybe I’d offer to help her…
Liv stepped closer to me, wearing a small, cold smile that sent a chill through my veins.
“Yes, it is a small town.” She said it softly, so only I could hear. “And you know what happens in small towns, Wren?”
My brow furrowed, but she didn’t wait for my reply.
“Gossip.”
She stepped back, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she turned to Faye. “I’m actually surprised to see you up and about this morning, Wren dear.” She was suddenly speaking loudly, gaining the attention of the other shoppers. “I mean, I heard you threatened to jump off the old train bridge last night.”
Faye audibly gasped as my legs went numb.
Liv put her hand on her mouth in feigned concern as she glanced at Faye. “Oh, I know. Poor thing. I heard the cops were there and everything.”
I didn’t know how Liv knew what happened last night, but I shouldn’t be surprised. She seemed like someone who knew everything, about everyone, in this town. Heat crept up my neck as my hands clenched into fists. I felt all the eyes of the other shoppers on me.
“An officer had to talk her off the ledge, I heard. It sounded awful.”
Faye finished bagging Liv’s items, and she dug in her wallet and handed over some cash.
Faye took the money and made change, all while sending concerned, fleeting glances at me.
I stood there and said nothing. What was there to say? Technically, Liv wasn’t lying. She was embellishing, yes, but not outright shouting lies.
