Apparently, people actually felt bad for buying into fast fashion, and were making up for it by supporting their local businesses. Nature really was healing itself. In the corner, I spotted Eliza sitting in the plush armchair we had brought down from the apartment, Joseph curled up in her lap as s
Audrey The late afternoon sun was streaming through the shop windows, casting long, golden shadows across the floor as I carefully pinned another section of delicate lace to the bodice of Avis’s wedding dress. The ivory silk was soft under my fingers, almost impossibly so, and the hand-beaded deta
She shrugged again. “I do. Someday. But… I’m still coming to terms with everything that went down with my parents. Still learning to accept myself. I’m not sure if I want to subject another person to that mess.” Her words made us all pause. Betty glanced at me from where we were working behind the
Edwin Avis’s shop was quiet as the others filed in one by one, each giving me a quick nod or a whispered greeting before settling into the scattered chairs around the display table. The bell over the door chimed softly as Peter entered last, closing it gently behind him. Once everyone was there,
But as Betty began to explain her plan, it all began to fall into place. It was a foolproof plan, one that would perhaps piss my silver-haired mate off at first, but foolproof nonetheless. If Betty’s idea went according to plan, then Audrey wouldn’t feel indebted to her friends—and everyone would
Audrey The last rays of sunset poured in through the tall windows, spilling warm golden shafts of light across the hardwood floors. The space was bedecked with banners and streamers, a birthday cake sitting in the middle of the room. It was clear what my friends were implying. Someone had purchase
My throat tightened as I took in her words, my mind racing to process everything. They all wanted to help. They wanted to be a part of this, my dream, my vision. It was more than I could have ever imagined. I looked over at Edwin, searching for his reaction. He’d been standing quietly by my side,
Audrey The shop took shape slowly, day by day. Over the following weeks, I spent every morning, afternoon, and evening perfecting the space and preparing for the upcoming fashion show. It seemed that there was endless work to do, from setting up Gavin’s coffee shop to building plush chairs for peo
“I think you’re going to change so many lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids are so lucky to have you.” Eliza looked down, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, Audrey. Really.” Tina piped up next. “And my LGBT counseling department is finally off the ground! ” She paused, leaning into my mother, who was
Audrey After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. “I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking
And as I watched, I felt a hand slip into mine. I glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood on my other side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. A lump rose in my throat, and I couldn’t even speak. None of us c
Audrey Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through t
“There’s always time,” I whispered, grabbing the wrist of his free hand and pulling it close to peer at his watch. The movement caused him to topple forward, and he caught himself on his other palm, caging me against the hard wood of the vanity. “But maybe not enough time to waste right now.” Edwi
Audrey Before I could even answer his question, Edwin rushed past me and locked the door. When he turned back to me, he was grinning from ear to ear. The sight of that mischievous look on his face made my breath hitch. Once, it had been like pulling teeth to get the man to smile. And now here he
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade—there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline was lumpy. It was far from perfect. But I loved it all the more for that. “Goddess, Edwin,” I laugh
Audrey The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos. I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with c
“Uh… Yeah,” Malakai said. “Coffee would be nice.” A few minutes later, the three of us sat around the table, steaming cups of pitch black coffee in our hands. I kept it bitter, just in case Malakai was here to stir up more shit. It burned a little going down, but I sipped it anyway. Malakai look