Page 7 of Love Me Like You Do

“How on earth am I going to keep up with that kind of demand? It’s just me.”

“You’ll hire people. We’ll get you a warehouse in Brooklyn.”

“With what money?”

“With your savings.”

“That savings is meant to float me when times get tight.” Briefly, she squeezed her eyes shut. This conversation was way too familiar. “Let’s stop talking about it. It’s not something we’re ever going to agree on.”

Her mom’s forehead creased with concern. “You’re seriously upset.”

“Yes. You had no right to give away my robes. Do you know how much that material cost? How many hours I spent designing and sewing them? I had a plan, and you’ve just reduced my inventory to zero.”

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I thought you were just scared about putting yourself out there. I thought I was helping you take that first step. You’re so talented, and you’re not doing anything with it.”

“But I am doing something with it. I’m building up inventory so that when I have enough money, I can safely take the risk of opening my own business.”

Her mom just stared at her. She truly didn’t understand.

“I’m not like you. I can’t just hope another gig will show up when I need it. I need an income, groceries…a roof over my head thatI’mpaying for.”

“I’m so sorry. How can I fix this? Do you want me to take the robes back?”

“No, Mom. They’re wearing them.”Naked. Sitting down. I can’t sell them now.

“I can ask them to pay. I’m sure they will.”

“No, it’s too late for that. What’s done is done.” The brutal wind hit her cheeks and bare hands. She jammed them into her pockets to grab her gloves. When she pulled them out, the letter from the law firm hit the ground.

“What’s that?” her mom asked.

“No idea. It came in the mail today. I can’t imagine what business anyone from Calamity would have with me.” She never stepped out of bounds, so she shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar. “I’ll open it when I get home.” She’d been seventeen when she’d lived there, and she’d only gone back to visit Lindsay a couple of times.

A zing of dread shot through her when she realized her friend was her only connection to that town. Tearing it open, she unfolded the letter.

“What does it say?” Her mom moved closer, her patchouli scent swirling in the air.

Shock pierced her heart. “Lindsay Leeson died.”

“Oh, no. How can that be?”

Memories slammed her. So vivid they hurt. Lindsay, with her blue hair and side-cheek piercings placed right in the center of her dimples, laughing so hard she fell to the ground, rolled onto her back, and kicked her legs like she was cycling.

Secrets whispered under the covers at sleepovers, long hikes with the guys to a glacier lake, and countless late-night conversations over pints of Bliss ice cream.

The summer between junior and senior year, her mom had moved them to Calamity to design costumes for a country music star in residency at the outdoor theater. That’s where Hailey had met Lindsay. They’d become fast friends, and when it was time for her mom to move on to the next gig in Florida, Hailey had begged to let her live with Lindsay for senior year.

It was her last shot to have a normal school experience.

And she’d wanted it so badly…homecoming, football games, prom… She’d have done just about anything to convince her mom to let her go.

That year would’ve been everything she’d ever wanted had it not been for Cole Montgomery, the asshole hockey player. Thanks to him, her time had been cut short, and she’d missed prom.Whatever. She’d made a best friend, and it had been a great experience.

But she’d gone off to school in New York, and Lindsay had stayed in town to build a life with her boyfriend.

Husband.

The father of her children.