Page 2 of Crazy in Love

During the generic, what-happens-after-death part of the service, Faith’s mind wandered. Joy and Grace didn’t know it yet, but their momhadplanned for her death. There wasn’t much to bequeath, but she’d written each of them a letter to be read after she passed. Faith had received hers two days ago and was still reeling from its contents. For some unfathomable reason, her mother left the bookstore exclusively to Faith. With explicit instructions demanding she keep it and run it.

Page Turners was her mother’s fifth baby. She’d poured her heart and soul into making it a book lovers’ haven. Faith didn’t want the store any more than Joy did, but in the last couple of days had made peace with her mom’s wishes and would give it her best shot.

After the memorial and reception, where hundreds had paid their respects, eaten, and left, Faith and her friends sat together at a round table.

Out of the corner of her eye, Faith caught sight of old Mr. Gowan handing Grace and Joy sealed pink envelopes—theirmother’s final words for each of them. She looked away as they ripped them open and began to read.

“It was a beautiful service,” Tess said.

“Thanks for coming,” Faith said. “Especially Holly and Maddie. I know it was tough to get away.”

Holly had moved to New York City and recently married. Maddie was an actress and lived in California.

“We said we’d always be here for the big stuff,” Holly said. “Your mom died. It doesn’t get much bigger than that. Cole sends his best but couldn’t get out of work.”

“I have to fly out later tonight,” Maddie said. “We’re in the middle of shooting, but I wouldn’t have missed it either.”

“Everyone’s really going to miss her,” Juliet said.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.” Faith thought she’d cried herself dry, but another tear escaped.

“Any reason your evil stepsisters are staring a hole in the back of your head?” Holly asked.

“Half sisters,” Faith corrected. “But, yeah. I already told Alex, Tess, and Juliet, but my mom gave me Page Turners. She left each of us letters, and they just read theirs. I’m assuming that tidbit was revealed.”

“They don’t look too happy,” Tess said.

“Well, can’t say I’m all that thrilled either,” Faith said. “Owning a bookstore isnoton my vision board.”

“Will you keep doing hair?” Holly asked.

“I don’t know,” Faith said. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”

Tess shot her a warning glance. “Incoming.”

“Faith,” Joy said, hand on her hip. “Did you know about this when we talked this morning?”

Faith nodded. “It didn’t seem like the time to get into it.”

“What are you going to do with it?” Grace said. “If you sell it, we should all get a cut. Split it four ways. Hope’s share can go into a trust or something.”

“Four?” Faith’s brows narrowed. “You don’t think her husband of twenty-seven years deserves anything?” He wasn’t technically their dad, but he’d helped raise them and had earned a modicum of respect.

“Oh, well, yeah, sure,” Grace said in a futile attempt to cover her insensitivity.

“Mom left strict instructions,” Faith said. “I can’t sell it for at least ten years. And I have to run it.”

“What?” Joy gasped. “You’ll drive it into the ground.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Faith mumbled.

“She must have been on pain meds or something. Obviously not in her right mind,” Grace added. “How do we fight this?”

According to her horoscope, Faith’s kindness and empathy would be challenged. That was an understatement.

She stood, which, at five-ten, put her inches above her sisters. “We just buried our mother, andthisis what you’re worried about?”

Indignant looks melted from Joy and Grace’s faces, and they took a step back.

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