“We don’t have to do this today,” Skyler said, gently placing a hand on her arm. “We don’t even have to do it at all. You can forget I ever even asked. I’ve already got a list of places to find used designer clothes.”
“Like Always in Fashion?” she asked, referring to the new used clothing store that had just opened in town.
He clutched at his heart and stared at her in horror. “You can’t be serious. Have you seen what they try to pass off as fashion in that place?”
“Jeans, sundresses, and graphic T-shirts?” she asked, raising one eyebrow.
He snorted. “That sounds about right, but no. Last night I made a list of all the estate sales in the area. We could skip your attic and start bargain hunting instead.”
Being a designer, Skyler had a passion for high-end garments, and when Gigi had mentioned she needed to do something with her collection, his eyes had lit up. He was in the process of opening his own boutique shop in Premonition Pointe and had been contemplating having a sister store for used designer duds. While Premonition Pointe was a relaxed beach town, it did have its fair share of well-to-do residents and tourists who would likely love bargain hunting while strolling through their quaint town.
“You know, I’d love to go estate sale shopping. Tell me when, and I’m there,” she said with a smile. While Gigi was no longer interested in fancy clothes, she did love art deco jewelry and modern art.
“Perfect. There’s one this Saturday at an estate about twenty miles down the coast. We need to get there early, so be ready to go by nine.” He tapped something into his phone, no doubt putting the date on his calendar.
“Nine is early?” she asked, raising one eyebrow.
“Yes,” he said, nodding his head seriously. “Anything before noon on a Saturday is sacrilege.”
Shaking her head, Gigi started to make her way toward her stairs. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
Skyler jerked his head up and stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise. “You mean you’re ready to face the past?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Just ready to let go of it one expensive garment at a time.”
“That’s my girl,” Skyler said, hurrying to her side and slipping his hand in hers. “Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll clear everything out. You don’t have to do a thing, or even stay up there with me, if you don’t want to. Just let your buddy Skyler take care of everything.”
“I just might do that,” she said as she sucked in a deep breath and took the first steps on her journey to not only rid herself of her past with her ex-husband, but also the one she’d left behind over twenty years ago.
Chapter Two
The narrow stairs creaked under Gigi’s feet as she made her way up into the finished attic. It was a room she hadn’t been in since the day she moved in months ago. A weak stream of light shone through the frosted glass window, illuminating the dust in the air, and the image invoked a strong memory of the attic in her childhood home. The one where she’d spent hours playing dress up in her mother’s old theatre costumes. Gigi stood in the doorway with her eyes closed as she did her best to calm the suddenly rapid beating of her heart.
Thinking about her mother always caused mild panic attacks. She’d hoped that enough time had passed that she’d no longer feel like hyperventilating when she thought of the beautiful blonde with the infectious smile and tinkling laugh. It appeared all the therapy in the world wasn’t going to help her overcome that particular response.
“Gigi?” Skyler said, pressing a hand to her shoulder. “Are you all right?”
She sucked in a breath of stale air and moved aside for him as she said, “I will be.”
Skyler squeezed her shoulder in support, giving her an encouraging smile. “You can do this. Once I carry those overpriced, overworked, over-the-top garments out of here, just think how much freer you’ll feel.”
“Overworked? Overpriced? Who are you?” She laughed at him and felt most of the tension drain from her body. Leave it to Skyler to find a way to put her at ease when she was ready to jump right out of her skin. He was right. Once this was done, she would finally feel free from a life she never should’ve jumped into.
“Just your friendly neighborhood designer who doesn’t take himself too seriously.” He winked and walked over to a portable garment closet. “I assume most of the items are in here?”
“Most might be a bit misleading,” she said with a sheepish smile and then waved a hand at a row of boxes.
Skyler’s eyes lit up. “Gigi, did I mention how much I love you?”
“Only about a dozen times today.” She grinned at him and then turned to a trunk, wondering what it contained. When she’d left her ex, she hadn’t exactly been clear headed when she’d hastily packed up her belongings. All she’d wanted to do was leave that old life behind and move on in her new home by the sea. And she’d done that. Now it was time to let go of the past for good.
“Holy son of a biscuit,” Skyler said from behind her. “You have a Bob Mackie?” His tone was hushed and full of reverence.
Gigi turned to find Skyler standing next to the portable closet. He’d unzipped the canvas and was holding a form-fitting silver-beaded gown that she’d worn to a movie premiere a million years ago. The star had been a client from her ex’s advertising firm, and he’d scored tickets when the partners had been otherwise engaged. “Yeah. It’s only been worn once.”
Skyler clutched his heart as he sucked in an exaggerated breath. “Gigi, my love, I’m about to die on the spot. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.” Suddenly his grin vanished as he clutched the gown and peered at her. “You don’t want to keep this do you? I mean, I’d understand if you did, since it’s just so… glorious. But this would make the most stunning window display for my grand opening. Of course, you probably don’t want to give it up. Who would? I mean, an original Bob Mackie…”
“Sky?” she said, waiting for him to stop staring at the garment and look at her again.
“Yes?” His eyes were wide and full of longing.
“I don’t want that gown. Anything you find is yours for the store. I already told you that. I have no intention of ever wearing that dress again. That night wasn’t a pleasant memory for me.”
“Oh. Right. Of course.” He carefully placed the gown back in the wardrobe and gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. I should’ve realized you weren’t attached to any of these things after what you’ve told me. I just… you know me and fashion. I get a little overwhelmed when staring at greatness.”
She waved an unconcerned hand, trying to act like the unwanted memories weren’t flooding her brain. Gigi didn’t want to remember all the times she’d caved to James’s demands. The way she’d gone along with the lavish lifestyle, over-the-top parties, and wasted money on things that had never mattered. They’d lived their life for show, as if having the perfect address or hottest designer on speed dial made them important. James had wanted to impress the Hollywood types, while all Gigi really wanted to do was spend time in her gardens and make friends with the ladies at her local book club. She’d wanted a quiet, normal life, while he’d wanted to hobnob with celebrities. Now that she was in Premonition Pointe, she had that life she’d always longed for. Only it wasn’t a book club where she’d found her friends; it was the local coven. “Don’t worry about it. That life is behind me now.”