Page 29 of Falling Madly
She stepped over the threshold gingerly, scanning the shop like she was expecting a jump scare.
“Teresa? Is that you?” A gray-haired woman in her sixties appeared from behind a tall shelf, carrying a giant bouquet of flowers. “Itisyou, isn’t it?”
Teresa stiffened, her face a little paler than usual as she attempted to smile. “It’s me.”
The lady leaned closer, cupping Teresa’s face in her hands. “Itisyou! I thought you had a doppelgänger, and I was going to make some poor stranger really uncomfortable.”
I felt like pointing out that she was currently making Teresa really uncomfortable. I’d never seen her like this, and I could barely contain my curiosity.
“No, it’s me,” Teresa confirmed, glancing at the door as if she was going to make a run for it. “Just passing through town.”
The lady released her cheeks and smiled the most disarming smile I’d ever seen. “You must be going skiing then! It’s been a busy season on the slopes. So much snow.”
Teresa shook her head, looking sheepish. “We’re not passing through on ourwayanywhere. I just meant…”
“We’re looking at an office space upstairs,” I offered.
“Really?” The woman’s eyes widened. “The vacant one up there? It’s a lovely space. What’s your business?”
Teresa shot me a murderous look, which I ignored. Whatever her history with this town and this woman was, she’d been nothing but lovely and I needed all the inside information I could possibly get. “We have a small design business. Teresa is one of our brilliant designers. Do you know anything about that space? We heard the business went bust. What happened?”
The lady leaned in, smiling conspiratorially. “I heard they were breaking labor laws.”
“Well, that’s good. I mean, not a good thing to do. But great if it wasn’t the location.”
The lady looked offended. “Can’t have been! Main Street is prime real estate. This side gets more natural light, too. It’s perfect.” She set down the flowers and offered her hand. “I’m Selma. Nice to meet you!”
“Trevor McAllister,” I said, shaking her hand.
“Are you… Scottish?”
“Can’t hide it, can I?” I gave her my best smile and wink combo, the one that worked like a charm with older ladies.
Selma blushed, shoulder-bumping Teresa. “Where did you find this one?”
“On the street,” she deadpanned. “Can’t seem to shake him.”
Selma laughed like she’d dropped the most hilarious line, walking off to organize another shelf. “Well, be careful. Did youhear about the missing tourist? Vanished without a trace outside her cabin! They say she might have been picked up by someone. Someone charming, I bet!”
“Wasnae me,” I assured her, raising my hands. “I’ve been with Teresa the whole time.”
She laughed again. “Well, that’s good. You’ve got an alibi. Excuse me, I have to go close the register. But please pop in tomorrow if you’re still here! We need to catch up. It’s been too long.”
“Will do,” Teresa promised.
“And I hope the office works out. I’d love to have you for neighbors!”
She waved at us as we left, led by Teresa. Back on the sidewalk, she cast me an annoyed look. “Can we go to the grocery store now? I don’t know how long it’s even open for. Everything closes super early in this town… What time is it now? I don’t have a watch. I always use my phone.” Her voice was a little breathless.
“We can go as soon as you tell me what just happened there.”
She folded her arms. “What do you mean?”
“Why were you acting like she’d just caught you shoplifting or something?”
She jerked at my words as if I’d slapped her across the cheek. “What?”
I studied her for a beat, and a faint picture begun the emerge. “You did something in your wild youth, didn’t you?”
