Page 62 of The Mistakes I've Made
Shrugging, I followed her in. “You brought it up.”
“Oh my God!” Millie’s voice brought my attention forward. “Is that…no.”
My eyes rolled.
“It couldn’t possibly be!”
“Millie,” I warned, but she carried on with the theatrics as Leilani watched the exchange between us, probably wondering if this was just another blonde I’d slept with.
“It is! It’s my good friend Taylor. But what’s this? What’s he doing here, in my store? He never comes here.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
She smiled. “I know. But it has been a while since you’ve passed through those doors.”
“No, it hasn’t,” I argued. “I was here…” I tried to think back as both women waited.
“See?” Millie’s smile widened.
“Okay, fine. But can you blame me? Look at this place. What in the world would I buy?”
Leilani did just that, her wide eyes roaming as she took it all in. It really was an impressive shop filled with beautiful clothes, handcrafted items, and gifts, but there was definitely a female vibe, and I wasn’t feeling it.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. What can I do for you? Or are you just here to introduce me to your new friend?” she asked, turning her attention to Leilani.
I was grateful for the hospitality from Millie. I knew everyone had been nervous since the arrival of Leilani and her ideas for this hotel project, but so far, aside from me, she’d been met with nothing but kindness.
I swallowed hard.
That was a sobering revelation.
It was true. From my brother to the committee to everyone she’d met in the town, not a single person had acted out in anger toward her.
Not one person but me.
“Uh…” I stumbled for a moment, still lost in my thought. “Leilani seems to have forgotten her bathing suit back home. Do you think you could help her pick one out?”
Millie’s eyes lit up in excitement. “Of course!” She motioned to the back of the store, and Leilani quickly followed. “I’ve just started carrying this line—super on trend but not too hard on the pocketbook.” Millie suddenly looked like she’d said something wrong. “Not that you have to worry—”
Leilani smiled warmly. “I love a good bargain.”
A look of relief spread across Millie’s face as I leaned back against the checkout counter.
“Oh, good, because, when I spotted those designer shoes, I got a little worried I wouldn’t have anything suitable for your high standards.”
Leilani batted her hand as they both dived into the racks. “Please,” she said. “I’ve had these for ages, and it took three paychecks to afford them.”
The statement surprised both Millie and me.
Leilani was an heiress after all. The title alone assumed a certain sort of lifestyle. I mean, we’d all grown up watching Paris Hilton.
“I used to have a pair just like them,” Millie boasted. “Bought them right off the runway in Paris, but I sold them and all their little brothers and sisters to afford this place.”
Leilani took a moment to look around. “I think you made the right choice. And I love the color scheme you went with.”
“Really?” Millie said, the pride she felt over this shop showing all over her face. “Because I had an interior designer from Nags Head come down, and she suggested something completely different than this, but it just didn’t feel right.”
Leilani shook her head, her eyes briefly landing on mine. “Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.”
