“Nope. That’s taken care of as well. Angel will bring your dress and shoes over when he drops off Markie.”
Bones made it sound like we lived across town, rather than next door. Angel didn’t need to drop Markie off. No doubt she wouldn’t deny him that pleasure, though. Giddy at the idea of a birthday celebration and a new dress, I gave Bones one last kiss before shooing him out of my condo, so I could shower. Shortly after I got out, there was more knocking on my door.
I let my sister and her boyfriend in. Angel’s hands were full of bags. He went directly to my room and unloaded everything before rejoining us in the living room.
“You sure you’re up for this?” he asked Markie, wrapping his arms around her.
They were so damn perfect together they sometimes bordered on annoying. I loved my sister. I loved that she was happy, but sometimes her happiness had a way of making me feel lonely. I couldn’t help but wonder if Bones and I would ever have anything more than a sexual relationship. Would he ever look at me the way Angel looked at Markie?
“Stop,” Markie said, settling her hands against Angel’s chest. “I’m fine. The only danger I’m in is the danger of dying from boredom if I don’t get out of the house. The doctor cleared me. You heard him. Stop being crazy.”
He brushed a kiss against her lips. “I know. I just worry about you.”
She kissed him back. “And it’s sweet, but also a little stifling. Go get sexy so I can drool over you all night.”
He gave her one more kiss and made her promise to call if she needed anything before leaving.
Markie released a breath and turned to smile at me. She looked a little tired, but much better than the last time I’d seen her. Every day she was getting stronger.
“You look great,” I said.
“Not yet, but I will.” She picked up one of the bags Angel set on my bed. “We both will. Time to turn your bathroom into a salon.”
Markie and I chatted as we got ready. I told her about people at work, and she told me about books she’d been reading and shows she’d been watching.
“My life is so boring right now,” she complained. “I watched soap operas, Ari. Soap operas. And game shows. I’m not a watcher; I’m a doer. I can’t wait to get out anddothings again.”
“Soon,” I replied. “Actually, tonight. How nice is this place we’re going to, anyway? Full makeup? Contouring?”
“Swanky. And yes, contour. You’ll want to look especially nice.” She gave me a cryptic smile but didn’t say more.
“Who all is going?” I asked.
“Just the four of us and Nonna.”
Nonna was Angel’s sweet little old grandmother. I’d spent some time talking to her while Markie was in the hospital, but it seemed strange that she’d come to my birthday party.
“Nonna’s coming?” I asked.
“Nonna got us in,” Markie replied.
“It required a Nonna invite? All right, this place has got to be super swanky.” And I was super excited. Finished with hair and makeup, I went into my bedroom to peep at the garment bags. “Bones said my clothing has been taken care of, so one of these is mine, right?”
Markie emerged from the bathroom with a smile stretched across her face as she pointed. “Yep. That one.”
Curious, I unzipped the garment bag and pulled out a gorgeous long black dress.
“Try it on,” Markie said, sitting on my bed.
She didn’t have to say it twice. I unzipped the back, and stepped in. It was sleeveless, floor-length, the neckline plunged down to show off my cleavage, the body was fitted through the waist and hips—down to the calves—then flared just enough for me to walk comfortably.
Markie gasped, her eyes watering with tears. “The fit is perfect. It’s perfect. You look incredible.”
“Then why are you crying?” I asked as she wiped away a tear.
“This stupid medicine they have me on screws with my emotions. It’s beautiful, though. Look for yourself.”
I went to the bathroom and checked myself out. The classy way it embellished my curves looked a lot likeJessica RabbitmeetsAudrey Hepburn. “I look like a lounge singer. Where did you find this thing?”
