“I read an article recently that poison is easily purchased off the Internet,” Andre said. “We’re living in very scary times.”

“Indeed,” Piper agreed. “Which is why I need Viv to save my wedding.”

“About Viv,” I said. “She usually requires months to create custom designs for weddings, so I’m not sure she’ll be able to—”

“Nonsense,” Piper said. “With all of the royals married off, mine is the wedding of the year. Viv will want her stamp all over it.”

“Viv?” I repeated. I glanced at the determined set to Piper’s jaw, which was level with my eyes. “It sounds as if you two know each other.”

“Viv and I go way back,” she confirmed. She didn’t elaborate, but given that Viv had never mentioned Piper to me, I assumed they were acquaintances from university. Viv and I had been less close during those years.

“So, you’re friends?” I asked. I felt the need to understand what I was getting into before we stepped into the hat shop.

“Not precisely,” Piper said. She kept her gaze forward as the shop came into view.

The blue-and-white-striped awning was out, and the sign on the inside of the door was flipped to Open. This had to be because Fiona “Fee” Felton, Viv’s assistant, had arrived early today. Viv never bothered to unlock the doors or flip the sign.

I suspected if Fee or I didn’t show up, Viv would keep the awning tucked in and the door locked all day. Viv was not what I would call a people person, which was primarily why I was feeling nervous about walking into the shop arm in arm with Piper. If Viv didn’t like her, the potential for a scene was high.

“Are you enemies then?” I persisted. I tried to pull my arm out of her grip but she tightened her fingers, not allowing my escape.

“Not exactly,” she said. She paused in front of the door and turned to face me, releasing my arm. Thank goodness. She looked thoughtful and said, “Frenemies. Viv and I are definitely what I would call frenemies.”

This did not sit well with me at all. Viv didn’t have frenemies. She had friends or enemies. There was no gray area in between and definitely no mash-ups.

Before I could think to move, Piper grasped the door handle and yanked it open. She strode inside as if she owned the place, and I felt Andre step up behind me.

“Now you see why I was avoiding her,” he muttered. “The woman is a force.”

I glanced over my shoulder at him and lifted my right eyebrow. “So is Viv. This could get ugly.”

“Do you think there will be actual bloodshed?” he asked.

“Doubtful,” I said. “Probably just a delicious setdown. Viv isn’t the violent sort.”

“I do love a tasty battle of wits.” He grinned.