Chapter 28. The Best Way

Ava’s POV

“How was the meeting?” I asked without looking back, my gaze still on the clipboard on the counter before me.

I’d been out at the display racks, counting the numbers to keep track of everything in the shop.

Claire walked over to me, tossing her jacket over the back of her shoulder as she dropped the bag onto the counter.

“It was just marvelous,” she blew out a breath. “I’ve talked to the other brand managers, and the department store is just gorgeous. I picked the perfect spot for us. Ava, this is a huge success for us.”

I nodded, as much as I could manage with a forced smile. “Terrific.”

“Ava.”

“Yeah?” I answered with my attention focused on what I was doing.

“Something’s wrong with you.”

A cold shiver crept down my spine. “What do you mean?”

She folded her arms across her breasts and turned her head to the side, staring at me. “You’ve been acting differently since the meeting. I thought I was overreacting