Page 32 of Return to Cheshire Bay
My eyes went to the ceiling. “What aboutupstairs?”
My curiosity was piqued. What changes hadshe made?
“Well, it’s not the heart of the home, but Idid manage a few pictures. I didn’t stage those, just worked offthe very basics you have up there. In order to be worthy of a pagespread, it needs a complete overhaul, and I didn’t bring enough forthat. However, for a market listing, it’s perfect.” She laughed.“Have I mentioned it needs more greenery for a splash of colour?It’s very shades of white and grey.”
Nodding, I ran my hand over the table I’drecently painted, now set for four with three candles in thecentre.
“I need a break.” A loud sigh breathed out.“Tell me what’s going on with you because I so want to tell youwhat’s going on with me.” In her first truly caring gesture, shepulled me over to the couch and sat beside me.
“I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Well, let’s start with the guy who’sbreaking your heart.”
I fell back and leaned into the softness.“It’s complicated. When I first got here, he remembered me, but mypast life, if you will, didn’t faze him. We hung out, enjoyed eachother’s company–”
Beth was practically twitching beside me.“Get to the good stuff. The rest of this is boring. Blah, blah,blah. Did you make out?”
I stared incredulously.
“Oh my god, you did. That’s wonderful. So,what’s the problem?”
She was jumpy with anticipation, but itwasn’t because she actually wanted to hear about Eric, she wantedme to finish soshecould talk. Nothing ever changed withher and my heart broke a little.
“I still need to figure out what the problemis.” I leaned back further into seat and rubbed my tummy, feeling aslight movement as the baby shifted. “Tell me what’s up with you.You’re just all lit up.”
“Well, it all has to do with Archie.”
“Your realtor friend?”
“You should remember from long ago, westarted as business partners where I’d stage the houses he wasselling, and one thing led to another. His business grew, mine hitthe roof exponentially, and I started my own company, which youknow, has taken off and the most elite of executives andcelebrities have me stage their homes.”
I smiled, very much aware of my friend’ssuccess. She was the little engine that could.
“And the two of you just signed on to do theCanadian version ofProperty Brothers?”
She inhaled and folded her hands on her lap.“Nope. Lily, he proposed.”
My jaw hit me in the chest with a drop, andI swallowed to bring it back. “You’re engaged? I didn’t even knowyou were dating anyone.”
Honestly, I didn’t even think she had thetime for a relationship.
“Betrothed as of Thursday.”
I scanned her hand, looking for thering.
“Oh, yeah, that.” She crossed her legs andgave me a chagrin. “Well, it wasn’t really me, so we’re searchingfor a new one.”
“You didn’t like the one he proposedwith?”
Deep down, I knew Beth was a tritematerialistic, but how do you turn down a ring someone picked outfor you? Who does that?
“Didn’t like it? Gawd, it was awful.” Shebatted her hand through the air as if she were batting away a badmemory. “Anyways, so we’re going shopping tomorrow afternoon whenhe picks me up from the airport. Going to go check out the higherend stores, as I’m sure there’ll be something more my style.”
I plastered a fake smile, hating myself justa little while I did it. “That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you.Never thought I’d see the day when you’d decide to walk theaisle.”
Years ago, she’d claimed marriage was tootime consuming, and it would threaten her time and energy onbecoming the best and most well-known designer. Guess since she’dalready nailed the last part, she could devote time to amarriage.
“So, my next big question is…” She inhaledand held her breath for a second. “Will you be my Maid ofHonour?”