Page 24 of The Belle and the Biker

Bunny's smirk tightens into an angry grimace.

Lureene jumps back into the fray. "Such a shame you had to leave town, Savannah. Of course, nobody could blame you for being humiliated the way you were. Are you enjoying your little adventure in New York?" She pats her champagne blonde bob.

"Why yes, ma'am. Did your husband enjoy his little adventure in Charlotte last weekend?"

Bless Aunt Hepzibah and her regular infusions of gossip. Lureene's husband is a pompous windbag with an affinity for ladies of the evening. And several of his favorites live in Charlotte.

Lureene stiffens and clutches the handle of her Burberry purse so hard her knuckles turn white. "My husband was on a hunting trip in Virginia last weekend."

"In January? Interesting. That would put him at the very end of the Virginia hunting season, wouldn't it? Or past it?"

"Are you calling my husband a liar?" Lureene squawks.

"Oh, not at all." I smile sweetly. "I'm sure he was hunting…something."

CHAPTER9

Savannah

Well,I knew what I'd face when I returned here. I take a deep breath and sweep into the store, bracing myself for more hostility.

Harper, a full-figured strawberry blonde who runs the store with her mother, waves at me from behind the counter and sets down a can of Cheerwine soda. My tongue puckers at the familiar sight of the soda can, yearning for the sweet cherry flavor. It's a North Carolina delicacy. I've never had an entire can because I was pretty much put on a diet as soon as I was born, but I used to sneak sips of it now and then.

"Well, howdy! New in town?"

I wince. Harper and I went to elementary school together. She's looking at me like she's never seen me before.

"Good Lord in heaven. Savannah?" a suspicious voice from behind me says. I turn around. Daisy's cousin Naomi, who is no fan of mine, is coming out of the storeroom in the back with half a dozen dresses draped over her arm. I must say, she's cute as a bug with her big eyes and curly hair—even if she's glaring at me. Naomi's hated me ever since I stole Daisy's fiancé, which is understandable.

"Naomi, aren't you working at Do or Dye?" She's a hairstylist. She did my hair for my wedding but only because my mother guilted her mother into forcing Naomi to do it. She played the "we're family" card. I couldn't even tell you how Daisy and I are related. We're very distant cousins, but most of the county is distant kin to each other in one way or another.

"I work here too. Trying to save up some money to buy a car." She stands there, narrow-eyed, looking me up and down.

"Go on, make a fat joke. You know you want to." I hold my arms open wide. "I deserve it."

"I don't approve of fat jokes, but I do approve of man-stealing ho-bag jokes. Which I guess means I approve of you. Wait a minute…" Naomi shakes her head in dismay. She confused herself now. Scowling, she hurries off and starts hanging up the dresses on a rack in the front of the store.

"Savannah Harkwell?" Harper comes out from behind the counter. "Well, as I live and breathe. It is you. Is it Harkwell now?"

Yes, I am divorced. Very, very divorced. "Yes, ma'am." Tiddlywinks sticks her head out of the bag and makes a noise that sounds like someone stepping on a squeaky toy.

"Oh, well, isn't that the most precious little thing!" She looks at me questioningly. "Dog, right?"

There we go again.

"Yes. Her name is Tiddlywinks."

"Just checkin'. I figure they have all kinds of exotic pets up north, and I was thinkin' maybe a marmoset or a three-toed tree sloth."

Naomi comes back. "Did I hear you say dog? Can I hold it?" She looks at it, hopefully. "Mama won't let me get a dog. Says it bothers her allergies." From what I've heard, Naomi lives with her clingy, anxious mother and pays all their bills.

"Of course," I say, and Naomi scoops Tiddlywinks in her arms. Then she looks at me and purses her lips. "I know you made up with Daisy, and I guess it's not my business to still be mad at you."

"No, I understand. I was a bitch on wheels for a long time, and I don't expect people to get over it overnight. But I do hope to make things right with y'all someday."

Naomi scratches Tiddlywinks on the head, joyfully causing the dog to kick her back leg. "I will consider this a new beginning." She reluctantly puts the dog back in my purse.

Harper smiles broadly. "Well! What can I do for you? Do you need to use the restroom? It's right back there." She points the way.

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