FIA
Maren's hand settled on my shoulder as we stood near the dress racks. Her touch was warm, grounding.
"You did good back there."
I wanted to believe her. My heart still hammered against my ribs. My hands still shook slightly. Hazel had always known exactly how to get under my skin, but this time felt different. This time I had fought back.
"I don't know if I did. I slapped her."
"She deserved it." Maren squeezed my shoulder. "But we're definitely going to show her."
Something in her tone made me look up. She had that expression again. The one that said she was planning something.
She led me toward the counter where a woman with perfectly styled hair waited. The woman's smile was professional, practiced.
"We'd like to purchase these items," Maren said. Then she paused. "But first, I need to report something that happened in the dressing room."
The woman's expression shifted to concern. "Of course. What happened?"
