The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley 1)

The boutique was darling, with soft, yellow-cream walls, and elegant chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. French antique furniture dotted the little store, and a stray set of antlers popped up on this wall or that. Rugs bought and shipped from France were placed here and there throughout the boutique, and a little coffee bar sat in the back corner. It was quite elegant for the likes of Boggy Creek, but it worked. Annie always had people in her boutique, and she kept her prices reasonable. She even had customers from Boston who would drive to Boggy Creek to shop her clothes. Annie was a town gem.

“I don’t like this one,” I said. Again.

Bree rolled her eyes, but Annie nodded. “I didn’t think it would go with your blue eyes. You said this was for going out in tonight?”

I nodded. “We’re only going to Brew’s Place, so I don’t see why we’re making such a fuss over the dress.”

Annie smiled. “Well, from what I’ve heard, it’s not the little country spot it used to be since Drew bought it.”

“Why isn’t it called Drew’s Place?” Bree asked.

“Long story, I’ll tell you later,” I stated. “So you think I need something more…”

“Sophisticated,” Annie said.

“Sexy sophisticated,” Bree added.

“I think I’ve got the perfect dress. Go take that one off,” Annie directed as she rushed into the back.

With a dramatic sigh, I turned and marched back into the little dressing room. As I pulled the dress over my head, I called out, “You know, I would like to see my son before we go out.”

“You’ll see him. I’ve already told Lacy we’re getting ready at her house. That way you can breastfeed, or whatever it is you moms do.”

I smiled and hung the awful pink dress back up. “Ben is bottle fed. I couldn’t produce milk.”

“Okay, pretty sure that is way too much information. Don’t get me wrong, I love that I’m getting to spend more time with you again, but Ellen was the friend who liked the way-too-personal shit.” She paused as her words registered. “Wow, I guess that has a whole new meaning now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Good riddance to her.”

“I agree. But if you’re going to start talking about your boobs and how your vagina stretched after childbirth, I’m tapping out.”

I slid the curtain back and stared at her. “My vagina didn’t stretch after childbirth.”

She stared at me like I’d said something foreign. “Excuse me, but you pushed a small person out of that tiny little hole. There is no way your vajayjay could ever fully recover.”

With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I asked, “Oh my gosh, were you even present during sex-ed class?”

An evil smile played over her face. “Actually, I was doing one-on-one sex-ed with Billy Valentine in the football prep room during that class.”

I was positive my eyes went as wide and round as dish saucers. “You’re joking, right?”

She gave me a flippant shrug and wink before she wandered over and started to look at shoes.

With a whispered shout, I said, “You had sex with Billy in high school!”

Bree spun around and glanced about before she shot me a dirty look. “Why don’t you announce it to the whole town!”

“Billy! Valentine! He was the hottest guy in our class!”

I brought my hand up to cover my mouth and lost it laughing.

Bree wore a wicked smile. “I know. And pretty handy with his…tool.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Walking over to one of the chairs, Bree sat. “I don’t know. I didn’t want you to think badly of me.”

“Why in the world would I think that?” I asked as I hid behind the curtain to cover myself.

Bree looked away, almost as if she was unsure if she should say anything else. Then she turned back and met my gaze. “I felt guilty afterwards. I only did it because, well, Ellen dared me.”

I dropped my head as a rush of sickness came up to the base of my throat. “What? She dared you to sleep with him?! Why?”

Bree shrugged. “Ellen was bragging about how she’d lost her virginity and I was afraid to lose mine.”

My head spun. “Wow. I can’t believe you never told me, and I cannot believe Ellen would do that to you.”

She gave me a half shrug. “It was high school. But I never did like that cu—”

“Here it is!” Annie called out as she appeared in front of me. She held up a black lace dress and pushed it through the opening of the curtain. “I’ll help you zip it.”

I stared at it before looking at the size—which was in French. “Is it my size?”

Annie nodded. “It’s a design straight from France.”

Frowning, I asked, “How much is it?”

“I’m buying, so price doesn’t matter,” Bree interjected.

I shot her a look that said there was no way she was buying this dress.