Isabelle
I made my way down the sidewalk to look at all the little shops here and there. It's my first day off and I've decided to explore more in depth what has changed. Some shops I've noticed have gotten some upgrades in their looks. Some of them are not familiar to me as they came in after I left. Some of the ones I loved the most were now also gone.
I can't help but stare into the window of the now empty cupcake shop. This had been one of my favorite places as a kid. Mrs. Strahm would stop here and pick some up for us every once in a while. When I broke my arm she let me stop and get one to help make me feel better.
This place didn't just sell regular cupcakes. They took them to a whole different level. My favorite one from here would have been the cookies and cream one. It was a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting and cookie bits dusted on the top of it. They finished it off by drizzling chocolate syrup over it.
I let out a small sigh to myself. If I had known they would end up closed down I would've had one when I left Nashville. The only way I could get my hands on something similar would be to make it myself. It wouldn't be difficult, but it wouldn't be the same.
"Scarlett, slow down." I heard a familiar female voice speak.
I turned to the direction it came from to see Sterling's step mother Kaydence and his sister Scarlett. Kaydence clearly had aged a little bit but she looked good. She clearly had been a busy woman judging by the fact she was sporting a baby bump again. How she managed to run a clothing brand and raise children at the same time I will never know, it seemed like it would be a lot.
Scarlett had really changed since the last time I had seen her. She was around eleven when I left and now she was fifteen. She had the same long golden blonde hair as her mother but had her father's blue eyes. She looked more like Kaydence in the face but had a few of Damon's sharp features, like his jaw line. She's grown to be such a gorgeous young woman.
Scarlett's eyes ended up meeting mine and a smile grew on her face. She grabbed Kaydence's arm and began to lead her right to me. "Izzy!" She called out.
"Hey." I gave them both a small smile as they stopped to stand in front of me.
"How are you doing?" Kaydence asked. I could tell she was making it seem like just a regular question but I could see a hint of concern. She must have some idea of the situation I have been put in.
"I'm good." I answered her. "How have you guys been?"
"Not too bad." Kaydence responded.
I looked over to Scarlett. "You've gotten much taller since the last time I've seen you."
She flipped her hair with her hand. "Couldn't stay small forever."
"Why don't you join us for lunch?" Kaydence suggested. "It'll be my treat, we can catch up a little bit."
I bit my lip nervously. I didn't want to impose on them and it might be slightly uncomfortable. "I don't know."
"Please Isabelle." Scarlett batted her eyes and stuck out her bottom lip. "It'll be fun."
I released an inward sigh to myself. "Sure."
My problem wasn't with Kaydence and Scarlett so catching up with them couldn't hurt. It's not like they were responsible for what took place with Sterling and I. I couldn't tell if either of them had anything to do with the current situation yet. This could possibly get me some more inside information as well.
I followed them to the restaurant a couple buildings from the shop I had been looking at. We were seated immediately and placed our orders quickly. Scarlett then began to brief me in on everything she had been up to. She seemed to have become quite a busy girl.
Last I knew she had a passion for dance and that seemed to have remained. She was now on her school's dance team and she clearly loved it. She was also taking classes to help her in design. It sounded like one day she planned to take over Amethyst once it came time.
The attention then focused on me. I explained everything that I had done over the last four years. Talking about it made me realize it wasn't exactly much. I had only been an assistant to various people and worked on my baking.
"You know what." Scarlett's face lit up as she seemed to have an idea come into her mind. "You don't have any family, you should join us for thanksgiving next Thursday."
She was clearly Damon Tipton's daughter. Like her father she seemed to have no filter and spoke her mind.
"Scarlett!" Kaydence shot her a warning glance. "You could have worded that a lot better."
Scarlett pursed her lips together as she thought for a moment. "You're right, Izzy I'm sorry."
"It's okay." I gave her a small reassuring smile.
"I'm just so used to dealing with the bitch." Scarlett scoffed with disgust.
"Scarlett Constance Tipton, watch your mouth!" Kaydence was stern with her words as she reprimanded her daughter.
"What?" Scarlett looked back at her mother as if she didn't do anything wrong. "That's what dad calls her when Sterling isn't around. Also she is one so I'm just stating facts."
"You still need to be respectful." Kaydence responded.
"I'll be respectful to her when Sterling gets his balls out of her purse." Scarlett leaned back in her chair. "It'd be nice if he did it sooner rather than later too."
"Scarlett, I'm not telling you again. This is a conversation we can have at home, I'm sure Isabelle doesn't want to hear it." Kaydence was trying to shut her down but it didn't work.
"Not like you like her either." Scarlett mumbled under her breath.
Whoever this woman Sterling is with is, she must be bad for them all to feel this way.
"Scarlett!" Kaydence shot her one last warning glance.
"Fine." Scarlett let out a defeated sigh before turning her attention back to me. "You'll join us for Thanksgiving though, right?"
"Um." I was trying to think of the best way to decline. It didn't seem like a good idea and it would probably be uncomfortable.
"Please." Scarlett pleaded.
"You don't have to accept but the offer is there." Kaydence's tone was much softer now than when she was talking to Scarlett. "You're more than welcome to our home any time Isabelle."
"You should come though. Killian will be there too." Scarlett continued to push it.
"Um, okay. Just let me know what to bring." I finally caved in. She wasn't going to let up and it beat being alone on the holiday. Besides, how bad could it get?