How to Frame a Fashionista

by Debra Sennefelder

  She dropped her head and rubbed her temples, which were throbbing.

  Breena came into the staff room with the cash bag, prompting Kelly to glance at the time on her computer. It was closing time. Where had the day gone?

  “The front door is locked, and I tidied up.” Breena set the cash bag into the small safe. “I sorted out Liza’s clothing and entered everything into the inventory system. You’ll send her the contract, right?”

  Shoot.

  Kelly had forgotten all about Liza and the contract. “I’ll do it now. Thanks for taking care of the clothing.”

  “No problem. Looks like she’s a big fan of consigning.”

  Kelly tapped on the keyboard and opened the file where the contract was kept. She then opened her email and sent the document to Liza.

  “It seems so.”

  “She sure has been in here a lot lately.” Breena grabbed her jacket off the coat rack.

  “She has, hasn’t she? Do you think it’s a little odd?” Kelly closed out of her email.

  Breena wrinkled her nose. “No, not really. She’s what we call a repeat customer. We need more like her.”

  “I know, I know. But she started coming in…” Kelly couldn’t help thinking Liza’s sudden interest in the boutique had something to do with Tawny’s murder.

  “Kelly, you’re reading too much into this. Liza is just excited about the fact she can earn money from her closet. Gosh, when did I become the voice of reason around here?” She laughed. “I have to get going. I’m picking up a pizza on the way home because tonight is movie night with Tori. I think we’ll be watching her favorite princess movie for the hundredth time.” Breena shrugged into her jacket.

  “Sounds like fun. Give her a kiss for me.” Kelly closed out of the bazillion websites she had opened. She needed to change for dinner with Marvin.

  “Will do.” Breena grabbed her purse and left through the back door.

  Kelly closed her laptop, grabbed her purse, and headed upstairs. She intended to leave all her worries and suspicions behind and enjoy a nice dinner with Marvin because Breena was right. Liza was an enthusiastic customer, nothing more. She needed to chill and not suspect everyone of having an ulterior motive.

  Chapter 10

  Kelly arrived at Gio’s for the second time that week, and found Marvin at a table looking dapper in a dark navy suit. He’d added a pop of color with a lavender tie. She was glad she had taken the time to change, or else she would have felt underdressed even in the casual restaurant. She’d slipped into a ruffled houndstooth printed wrap skirt and tucked in an off-the-shoulder black knit top. For her own pop of color, she’d added red ankle boots. While she was happy to see him, she was even more thrilled to see the bottle of wine he’d ordered. After the past few days she’d had, one or two glasses of wine would hit the spot.

  He rose when she reached the table and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “You look lovely, as usual.” His warm smile made all her worries vanish for the moment.

  “And you look so handsome in your suit. What’s the special occasion?” Kelly sat and placed her clutch on the table.

  Marvin returned to his seat and poured two glasses of wine. “Every visit with you is special. You remind me so much of your grandmother. You have her spark. Her joy for life.”

  Kelly offered a small smile. It wasn’t until her granny died and she moved back to Lucky Cove, that she learned they had so much in common. It explained why she was the only person in the family who understood Kelly.

  “You flatter me.” Kelly reached for her glass of wine and took a sip. “Very nice choice.”

  Marvin nodded appreciatively. “You know how much I treasure our meals together. They’re always so much more pleasant than the ones with Barlow.”

  The mention of Marvin’s grandson was a buzzkill. She and the uptight vice-president of Childers Enterprises had gotten off to a rocky start when he believed he had ownership of the boutique and Kelly’s apartment. While they settled the matter that he didn’t, he still hadn’t apologized for his behavior. It appeared the young Childers had little self-awareness.

  “I am prettier than Barlow.” She batted her false lashes and smiled before taking another sip of wine.

  “You most certainly are.” He sipped his wine and then set his glass down. He cleared his throat. “There is something I wanted to discuss with you.”

  Kelly’s heart thumped. He sounded serious. Was he ill? He battled the flu in January. Could there have been complications that he’d kept to himself until now? Until it was too late to do anything?

  Whoa. Slow down the worst-case scenario scene, Kell.

  She took a gulp of wine and then set the glass down, bracing herself for bad news.

  “It has come to my attention you need a new roof.”

  Kelly exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Roof? You want to talk about my roof?”

  “Yes.” Marvin nodded.

  “Oh…okay.” Phew. At least he wasn’t sick or dying. “How do you know about the roof?”

  “Buck’s dad and I go way back. We still meet for breakfast once a week. Your name came up in conversation.”

  “It did?” Kelly wasn’t sure how she felt about the two men discussing her. Then again, being a small business owner in town she was sure her name came up plenty of times. At least now, her name popped up in conversations for good reasons. Progress, it was a good thing.

  “I know you don’t have the money to pay for the new roof, so I want to take care of it for you.”

  Her tensed shoulders relaxed. Marvin wasn’t delivering bad news. Instead, he wanted to help her. Her lower lip trembled. She was going to cry.

  “That is such a sweet offer. Truly it is. But I can’t take your money.”

  “Your grandmother would want me to help you. Please let me.” He gave an expectant smile.

  The mention of her grandmother tugged at Kelly’s heart. She was confident her granny would have been pleased knowing her longtime friend was looking out for her granddaughter. Still, Kelly couldn’t take that much money from Marvin, even though he was a wealthy illustrator. She needed to stand on her own two feet and be the business woman her granny believed she could be.

  “I appreciate your offer, but I’m applying for a business loan.”

  “You’ll pay too much in interest. With my offer, there’s no interest. Not even a payback plan.”

  Wow. He wasn’t talking about a loan but a gift. The money would be free and clear. It was more tempting than an end-of-season sale at a Stuart Weitzman outlet store. She pressed her lips together. She’d resist the lure of easy money. Staying firm with her decision not to take his money was difficult.

  “I love you for caring about me, but I can’t take your money.” Why was adulting so hard?

  Marvin looked a little disappointed. “Well, if the loan doesn’t work out, you need to let me know. I’ll even charge you interest if you want.”

  “Deal.” She laughed. “You’re paying for dinner, though, right?”

  He let out a hearty laugh and opened his menu. “Of course. Order whatever you like.”

  “Thank you.” She opened hers and browsed the list of specials. For the first time in days, she finally felt relaxed. Maybe it was Marvin’s unconditional support, or perhaps it was the wine. Whatever it was, she didn’t want the feeling to slip away. She needed to drink more water than wine with dinner, though. The last thing she needed was a wine hangover in the morning when she planned to meet with the loan officer.

  They gave their orders to the waiter and enjoyed their salads before the main courses came out. While they ate dinner, they talked about their upcoming summer plans.

  Marvin had arranged to rent a cottage farther out on the island, in Montauk, so he could paint. He always found inspiration from the ocean and was drawn
to the rugged beaches out on the tip of the island. He invited Kelly to visit and suggested she bring her sister, Caroline.

  When it was Kelly’s turn to share her plans, it paled in comparison to spending the summer creating art in a quaint cottage by the sea. No, she’d be working to pay off her roof.

  They each finished with a cup of chocolate mousse. Kelly had second thoughts about the order, but when hers arrived, she didn’t hesitate to dive into the chocolatey bowl of heaven.

  While Marvin paid the bill, Kelly read a text that came from Ariel. According to her friend’s sources, aka the Lucky Cove gossip mill, Serena had rented a house in town earlier in the day. It must be nice to have money and to get a rental so fast. In the city, Kelly jumped through countless hoops to get her rental apartment. Then again, she didn’t have unlimited funds, and everyone knew how money greased a lot of wheels. Ariel’s dad, a real estate agent, arranged for the rental. So, the Lucky Cove gossip mill was actually Ariel’s dad.

  Kelly slipped her phone back into her clutch and walked out of the restaurant with Marvin. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and then headed toward his beat-up old car. He’d told her it may look like a junker, but it ran just fine so there was no reason to get a new one. Her granny was also frugal, and didn’t bother to replace things just for the sake of replacing them. No wonder those two had been such good friends.

  As Kelly began her trek back to the boutique. She texted Ariel for the address of where Serena was staying.

  Moments later, Ariel texted back, and Kelly had the location of Serena’s whereabouts. Other than Jason and her, Serena didn’t know anyone else in town. Despite her strong, boss lady façade, she had to be scared. Kelly knew she would be. Maybe seeing a friendly face would help Serena feel as if she wasn’t alone.

  When she arrived at the boutique, instead of going inside, she slipped into her Jeep. It felt like a responsibility, though she knew she ought to just mind her own business. She made a firm decision to start minding her business tomorrow.

  Kelly arrived at the two-story, cedar shake Colonial on a tidy lot within walking distance of Lucky Cove’s small stretch of beach. The last-minute rental must have cost a pretty penny, even off-season.

  As she made her way to the front door, thoughts of the marketing plan for spring that she should have been working on popped into her head. There was also prep work to do for the unofficial start of summer that was only a few months away. She could have been doing those things instead of paying a surprise visit to Serena.

  The lights were on inside, so at least she wouldn’t be waking Serena. She knocked on the door and waited.

  When the door opened, Serena appeared. She sighed, signaling she was unhappy. Verbal cues were what Kelly relied on. She couldn’t count on any facial clues thanks to all the tucks, lifts, and injectables Serena had done.

  “Why are you here?” Serena’s voice dripped with irritation, giving Kelly pause and causing her to rethink the welfare check.

  “I heard they released you, and I wanted to check on you. See if you’re okay.”

  Serena cast a cool, appraising gaze on Kelly. “You’re here to see if I’m okay? I came to this…wannabe Hampton enclave to settle a legal matter with my ex-husband, and I’m arrested for murder. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re scared,” Kelly said.

  “Since you’re here, you might as well come in.” Serena turned and walked away, leaving the front door open. She padded along before disappearing into a room off the hallway.

  “Geez, thanks.” Kelly entered and closed the door behind her. She followed Serena into the living room.

  Serena swiped a wine glass off the end table and then collapsed on the sofa. Which was so unlike her. She usually moved with grace, poise, and a massive dose of superiority. She didn’t fall like a sack of potatoes onto a sofa. Then again, she was wearing athleisure wear. Something Kelly didn’t think the always-fashionable Serena owned. Granted, the two-piece French terry was no doubt from Bishop’s exclusive designer floor.

  “Welcome to my temporary housing.”

  Kelly’s gaze zoomed in on the opened pizza box on the coffee table. Serena didn’t eat carbs or cheese or takeout.

  Good God, the woman was coming apart at the seams right in front of Kelly.

  “Thank God this place was available. After being let out of that horrid jail cell, I was fingerprinted like a common criminal. I needed a hot shower.” She lifted her hand and inspected the pads of her fingers. “The shower in this house is about the size of the cell I was in.”

  Kelly opted not to indulge Serena in her whining about the size of the shower in the house. No doubt, it had to be bigger than her own at the apartment.

  “Why are you staying in Lucky Cove? You’ve been released, can’t you go back to the city? If you can’t, why are you staying here and not at the inn you were at?”

  Serena gulped the remaining wine in her glass and then refilled it from the bottle on the coffee table next to the pizza box.

  “You’re full of questions, aren’t you? I’m staying put because it’s a condition of my bail. And that inn had the nosy innkeeper. I’d get no peace there.” She leaned back and tucked her bare feet under herself before taking a swig of the wine. “Besides, I want to be here for Jason. Even though we’re divorced, I still care about him.” She took another drink of wine.

  Kelly arched her brows. If what she saw the other day between them was caring, she’d hate to see them when they were upset with each other.

  “Do you think you should slow down on the wine?”

  “No.” Serena lifted her glass in a toasting gesture before taking another drink. “Help yourself.”

  “I’ll pass, I’m driving home.” Kelly cautiously moved toward Serena and sat on the sofa, keeping one cushion between them. “How does Jason feel about you staying to be here for him?” If he believed she killed his wife, would he look to her for help or a shoulder to cry on? Kelly thought that would be unlikely.

  “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. I’m here, and I’ll help if needed.” She topped off her glass again. Because her words were slurring, Kelly wanted to suggest again she cool it on the drinking, but knew it would fall on deaf ears. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on between you and that boring detective? She doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

  Now it was Kelly’s turn to sigh. She explained how she’d inserted herself into a few of the detective’s cases. She was helpful in solving those cases, but was frustrated because Wolman wouldn’t acknowledge her assistance. Kelly also shared how she and Liv were arrested but, fortunately, they were released with no charges filed. Yeah, that was a night she’d not soon forget. Neither would Liv’s mother, who had come to the police department to get her daughter. To this day, Mrs. Moretti still muttered something in Italian, which Liv refused to translate, whenever she saw Kelly.

  A slow smile crept onto Serena’s face, something Kelly had never witnessed before. “I didn’t think you had it in you to be a thorn in someone’s side. I’m actually impressed.” Serena straightened and set her glass on the table with a clang. “I’m so impressed that I want you to help me.”

  Kelly tilted her head. Maybe Serena wasn’t the drunk one, perhaps it was Kelly, because she could have sworn Serena asked her for help. That wasn’t possible.

  “You look confused. Did you not understand what I said, child?”

  Okay, that sounded more like Serena.

  “I understood you,” Kelly answered tightly. “What I don’t understand is how I could be of help to you.”

  “By finding out who killed Tawny and clearing my name. I need for you to stick your busybody nose into this case because I have little confidence in that small-town detective who wears sensible shoes.” She glanced at Kelly’s footwear. “Thank goodness you haven’t succumbed to that fate.”

  Kelly smiled. She lov
ed her red booties. Whoa. Wait, a minute. She couldn’t get caught up in fashion flattery. No. No. She had to keep her head clear. After firing and humiliating her, Serena wanted Kelly’s help.

  Nope. Not. Going. To. Happen.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea. And I probably should go.” Kelly began to stand.

  Serena fell back into the cushion. Her chin lowered to her chest, and her shoulders sagged. The three-digit designer zipped hoodie looked baggy on her slender frame.

  “It’s true what people say about me. I am short-tempered, iron-willed, and brutally honest. I have had to be. You don’t get where I am by being voted the most likable woman in the room.” She licked her lips. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings.”

  “I’m sure you have feelings.” But Kelly wouldn’t bet on it.

  “The truth is I’m worried about my daughters.”

  Kelly fell back down onto the sofa. Had she heard Serena correctly? “Your daughters?”

  Serena nodded. “Twins.”

  How did Kelly not know that? How was it that nobody at Bishop’s ever mentioned Serena had twin daughters? How had the press never published a photo of a pregnant Serena Dawson?

  “Since when?” Oops. She clasped her hand over her mouth. That probably wasn’t the right question to ask.

  Serena laughed. “You have no filter, do you?”

  Look who’s talking.

  “I keep my private life private. My girls live in Vermont with their father. I thought it would be best if they were raised out of the city, some place where they wouldn’t be surrounded by everything that goes with my life. My ex can be there for them 24/7, something I could never do. I’m hardly the type of woman who could do a carpool or bake sales.”

  “You sound like a lot of women, but they make it work.” Way to go, Kell. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to judge.”

  “Why not? Everyone else does.” Serena waved her hand dismissively. “I know I do. Even though they don’t live with me, we spend a lot of time together. I’m up there for long weekends and summers, and we take vacations together. There’s not a day I don’t talk to them. It shattered my heart, not talking to them today.” She wiped away a falling tear.