Page 71 of Spellbound & Speechless
Chapter 25
Aspen
I expectthe dream of my boutique to fade into the background, but days pass, and that doesn’t happen. It never fades. If anything, I’m more certain than before. The vision is clear in my mind, and the dress I’ve been working on seems to be coming together, too.
It’s a wedding dress.I’ve never designed anything like it, but the strangest part is that I’m imaginingmyselfin the dress.
There’s a chance it means nothing, but there’s an equal chance it’s a sign from Aphrodite, and I’m not ready to acknowledge what it may mean. It feels foolish to consider.
I shake my head, closing the sketchbook and hiding it in my bag. No matter how happy I am with Mac, I won’t be getting married anytime soon.
Oh, but marrying him would be a dream! A foolish, silly dream—one I shouldn’t keep thinking about.
There are more important things to focus on, like the announcement I’m sharing with my sisters. And, no, it’s not a wedding announcement.
Not yet, anyway.
I meet them at the empty bar a few hours before we’re set to open.
“I have something to tell you.” I place my purse on the bar top. “All of you.”
Maple clasps her hands together, looking at me with stars in her eyes.
Rowan’s expression hardly changes. “What is it?”
“I’m staying in Starbrook.” I hold my head higher.
They all exchange a look.
“Well…” Juniper says. “You’ve been here for a while, so we sort of… assumed.”
I glower. Of course, their assumptions are ruining my announcement. Typical.
“Well, I’m staying forgood.” I think. There’s no saying whether my new venture will lead me somewhere else, if I’ll be able to open other locations eventually. For now, Starbrook is calling to me. My hometown is begging for me to stay. “And I’m opening a boutique!”
Finally, my sisters have a normal reaction. Maple gasps, and Juniper’s brows disappear into her bangs.
“A boutique?” Juniper smiles softly. “I think that’s a great fit for you. With your original designs?”
“Yes!” I beam. “That’s the plan.”
“That will take a lot of work.”
I won’t let Juniper’s realism bring me down. “I’m ready to do the work.”
“I guess I’ll be getting a new client,” Rowan grumbles.
“Or so you assume.” I glare playfully. “I won’t have any trouble finding another accountant.”
“Stop.” She rolls her eyes, the corner of her lips ticking up in a rare smile. “You know I’m happy to help.”
“Then act happier.” I sit at the bar. “This is good for allof us, and for the entire town. I mean, that’s like… assuming that it happens.”
“It will,” Juniper says. “You’ll have tomakeit happen.”
“I will do my best.” I beam proudly. “For now… a round of shots? Yes?”
After all, we’re at a bar, and we have something to celebrate. For the first time since leaving New York, I have a purpose, and it isn’t too far off from what I planned to do before. The only difference is that I’m in charge now. While that’s a significant change, it’s one I can handle. I no longer feel as if I’m tearing my entire life apart, left with nothing but the rubble of my old ambitions. I know what I’m doing, and I know who’s going to be there with me.
