Ganache with Panache: Book 2 in The Chocolate Cafe Series by Valley Sams Page B

admit,” Sabrina said as the two friends turned the corner, away from the main street and all it’s apparent pedestrian challenges. “It’s nice to get away from the shop for a day. I don’t know how you’ve been handling all those customers. I’m starting to think I have the easier job.”
    “It’s not that hard when you take into account the fact that we made over $3000 yesterday.” Sabrina stopped in her tracks, her amber eyes widening in surprise.
    “That is a lot of money. That is an amazing amount of money!” she said, shocked.
    “That…” It was Mac’s turn to spin around and walk backwards dramatically, “Is why I agreed to close the shop and go visit your friend.”
    Vanessa’s boutique was located in the area of downtown closest to the water. Like the rest of the properties that faced the stone seawall, it was desperately weather beaten, as the waves hitting the rocks were often so big that salty mists of water exploded up and over the street. The result was the kind of unassuming, raggedy feel to the place that Mac missed so much in her own shop.
    The door chimed as they walked into the small, one-room space. The friends were immediately hit with the smell of expensive candles. Scattered throughout the shop, the candles filled the modest room with the scent of rich wood and sweet fig.
    Hanging from racks against the walls were clothes that looked like they had been flown directly from the chicest boulevards of Europe. Mac fell into a of reverent trance as she gently flipped through them. They were perfectly, subtly tailored, and managed to be both feminine and strong.
    “I don’t think we’re in tacky tee shirt town any more.” Mac breathed. She took a delicate taupe dress from the rack and held it up to herself, turning to see her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror that leaned against the wall. “Look at these lines! The cut is amazing.”
    “You should know, Miss Fancypants,” Brie said wryly.
    Mac had always been the one with impeccable taste. Although she hated to admit it, both friends knew that Brie couldn’t tell the difference between a midi and a maxi. When they were growing up and Mac had been pouring through September Vogue, Sabrina had been sketching out her next tattoo. “I’ll go see where Vanessa is.”
    “I’m here!” There was a thump from the back room. A few seconds later, Vanessa Wells appeared from behind the canvas curtain separating the shop from the rest of the building.
    Her boyish beauty struck Mac immediately. From the elegance of the clothing she was expecting some kind of patrician blonde to emerge, like a willowy Venus surrounded by gauze and designer fragrance. Rather, Vanessa looked like the tomboy in every teen movie that only needed to remove her glasses to become the perfect underdog prom queen.
    “Oh my gosh! Sabrina!” Vanessa hollered. She dropped the box she was carrying on the cash register desk and practically leaped into Brie’s arms. “What do you think?”
    “It looks great! Are you happy?” Sabrina hugged her friend tightly.
    “I am so happy.” Vanessa beamed. “It’s a lot of work to set up but I’m almost there.”
    “This is my friend Catharine. We call her Mac.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Vanessa strode across the room and offered her hand to Mac.
    Up close, Mac could see how adorable she truly was. She had a face like a Victorian doll, all wide eyes and full lips. However, there was something intelligent in her eyes that led Mac to believe she probably listened to Tolstoy on tape while she sewed her fantastic gowns.
    She took Mac’s hand, her handshake firm.
    “That dress would look amazing on you,” she said. Mac blushed, realizing she still held the delicate smoky confection to her chest.
    “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. I’ll put it back.” Mac turned and slid it in place next to its other gorgeous sisters.
    “No! Don’t worry about it. Try it on. Try them all on, they’re just clothes!” Vanessa