Page 271 of The Spider Queen

“It’s just—”

The doorbell jangled, and in walked the woman we were currently discussing. Barrett Campbell was impeccably dressed in a smart black dress, black ballet flats, and enormous Jackie O sunglasses. Her auburn hair was twirled up to reveal a graceful, fair neck.

Her smile was wide as she lowered her sunglasses. “Hello, Stella.”

“Hi,” I greeted, instantly on my guard.

Barrett gazed around the room quickly, taking in the shop, but something told me that even though it was nothing more than a scan, she had missed nothing. “Lovely,” she murmured. “Stunning.” Shaking her head, her attention whipped to Herron. “You look very familiar.”

Herron smiled. “My older sister was in the same sorority as Ashby Rhodes.”

Barrett snapped her fingers. “That’s it!”

The two engaged in a quick game of who-knew-whom on Park Avenue. I tuned them out, recognizing no one they spoke of.

They laughed like old friends, and it struck me how different they were from other women of their echelon. They didn’t act like they had money. They were genuine and warm, and I realized why I had liked Barrett immediately.

She’d reminded me of Herron.

“Why are you here?” I asked bluntly.

Their conversation cut off mid-sentence as they both looked at me.

Herron rolled her eyes. “Forgive Stella.”

“Nothing to forgive,” Barrett said with a wave of her hand. “My visit is two-fold.”

Barrett exchanged a quick glance with Herron who immediately scooped up her to-go cup of coffee and said, “I think I’ll go buy a roast duck or something.”

I coughed out a laugh.

“It was nice meeting you,” Herron called out to Barrett just before the door shut behind her.

Barrett set her clutch and sunglasses on the counter. “Your work is incredible.”

“Thank you.”

“After you left the other night, I bugged the ever-loving-crap out of Flynn with questions about you.” She smiled. “He told me he wandered in here by accident?”

I nodded. “A few weeks ago, yes.”

“Your shop isn’t easy to find.”

“I know where this is leading. Herron offered to help me move to Tribeca. I already turned her down.”

She cocked her head to the side, reminding me of an elegant, elusive bird. “Why?”

“Because I like my life just the way it is.”

Barrett thought for a moment, and then her gaze slid away to take in one of the display cases—the one that housed my favorite snow globes.

Mythical creatures. Gargoyles, dragons, mermaids, and unicorns.

“Huh,” she said.

“What?”

“I wouldn’t have expected you to create such…fantastical pieces.”