“Eventually,” I said slowly as I poured the hot water and then made my way to where she was sitting. “Here you go.”
She immediately took a sip. “It’s way too hot, but it’ll do.”
That was as close to a thank-you as I’d get.
“How’s fame coming along?”
That perked her up. I was wary of her chances becoming famous in a big town like Nashville. I wouldn’t ever say it out loud, but she wasn’t the kind of person to put in the work for anything. She wanted it to just happen. And judging by the talent that I had heard in the shower, she would need to work in order to become a singer like she wanted to be.
But I still supported her. I was her sister, after all.
“I have a few auditions for some bands. One of them could really be it for me.”
“Good. I hope it goes well.”
“You’re using that voice again,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “The fake Grace voice.”
“I’m not being fake. I do hope it goes well.”
“You think I can’t sing.”
“I just said that lessons might be good for you,” I hedged gently. Ihadsaid that after a night of talking to my friends. They’d all told me to try to reason with Brooke and warn her about how hard getting a singing career would be. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. “But all singers need them.”
Brooke crossed her arms. “You’re terrible at making me feel better.”
“I recorded the Kardashians just in case this happened,” I said, instead of taking her bait. She always felt better when she got to see her favorite reality TV family. “Watch that and feel better, then go back to Nashville.”
“Fine.”
I patted her shoulder before going to my room. My brain was still foggy from dealing with her, as it always was when Brooke was angling for a fight, but I pushed it away and focused on my outfit for the day.
I opened my closet and ran my hands over all of the clothes. I had a collection way too big for just one person, but I always put effort into my outfit. It was the one thing that always made me feel better.
I had all kinds of different patterns: floral, stripes, and even leopard print. It took me a while to picture what I wanted to look like that day, but eventually, I landed on a skirt that I had just gotten the week before. It had cherries all over it and went with a graphic tee with a lime that I’d had forever and never wore.
I loved finding the perfect match, for both me and others, and my mood was instantly lifted. Once I was dressed, I put on a little bit of makeup before taking in my entire self.
A long time ago, I would’ve refused to look at myself in the mirror before leaving for the day. I had always been curvier than Brooke, but my weight fluctuated over the years and I hated the way my reflection would change. Now that I was an adult, I was determined to grow to love my body exactly as it was.
A small smile made it to my face. My curly hair was laying perfectly and the two pieces went together just as I expected them to.
Brooke might have arrived and messed with my routine, but after getting it right today, I felt exactly as I should.
When I got to the square, the spots in front of my clothing shop, Treasure Trove, were taken. With the town’s recent popularity, parking was sometimes hard to come by.
I didn’t mind the walk, especially when the weather was nice.
The Tennessee October air was always a gamble. Sometimes, it felt like fall. Other times, the heat held on with an iron grip. This morning was cool, and just the feeling I needed.
“A little late today?” Marjorie asked as she walked by. She used to be retired with her wife, Henrietta, but recently, she went back to work at the town library and I got used to seeing more of her. “Bad girl, Grace.”
I laughed. “When have you ever known me to be bad, Marjorie?”
“Good point. This is about as wild as you get.”
“Shouldn’t you also be at work?”
“Henrietta wanted a warm drink on a cold day. Sue me.”