Penny’s expression hardens with frustration.“You know when people ask what superpower you’d want if you could pick one?”
“Yeah?”
“I’d choose the ability to make you see what I see when I look at you.”
I blink, stunned, as she leans forward, eyes fierce.“You’re a gorgeous woman, Summer. Your family and your idiot ex messed with your mind, but when I look at you? I see a tall, stunning woman with curves other women would pay to have. You have a smile that lights up a room, eyes that turn heads even when you don’t notice, and one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever known. I see someone who rebuilt herself out of nothing and wasn’t afraid to chase her dreams and fight to give Mia the world.”
Her words hit something deep, fragile. My throat burns as I fight the tears threatening to fall. Part of me warms at her kindness… but another part, small, tired, wonders if she’s just saying it to make me feel better.
“Don’t let your family or Kevin ruin the chance for you to have a good man at your side,” Penny says softly.
“It’s not that I don’t like him,” I admit quietly.“He’s gorgeous. And on top of that, he has a heart of gold. But I can’t start over, Penny. I don’t want to. I don’t know if I could handle another man rejecting me or trapping me in something loveless again.” A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.“I promised myself I’d never give that power to another man after Kevin. And as much as I admire Ethan, I just… can’t.”
Penny walks around the counter and pulls me into a hug.“Oh, Summer. I just want you to be happy. I made the same promisewhen I left Mark. But look at me now, Cas makes me so happy, and I want you to have that too.”
“I get it,” I whisper.“But I want to find that happiness by myself first. I have friends, I have Mia, I have this shop. I am happy. Please let it go.”
Penny searches my face, then nods.“Okay. I promise I won’t butt in anymore.”
She grabs her purse and heads for the door, pausing long enough to give me a mischievous grin.“See you tonight for karaoke, beer, and fun?”
I laugh.“Sure. Need me to pick you up?”
“Oh no, Cas promised to be our driver so that we can let our hair down.” She smiles.
“Perfect.”
“See you later, bestie!” She waves as the bell jingles behind her, leaving the faint smell of caramel and Christmas in her wake.
I watch her go, the shop quiet again. The cappuccino machine hisses softly, and for a moment, I stare out at the people walking by beyond the window, thinking about Ethan’s smile, and the promise I made to never need anyone again.
But a tiny, traitorous part of me whispers that maybe… wanting someone isn’t the same as needing them.
CHAPTER 12
Summer
Penny is picking me up with Cas in an hour. I’m standing in front of my closet, holding two versions of myself.
In one hand, a black, body-covering dress, safe, familiar, my armor. The kind of dress that lets me fade into the background, invisible and untouchable.
In the other, a wraparound, curve-hugging green dress Penny convinced me to buy. Bold. Alive. The kind of green that demands to be seen. One dress will let me disappear. The other… will announce that I’m done hiding.
“Mommy?”
I turn. Mia stands in the doorway with Grace, her curls bouncing as she pads into the room.
“The green one!” Grace says instantly, nodding toward the wraparound dress.
I glance down at it, stomach fluttering. I want to feel free, but fear curls around my ribs like a vine.
“I like that one, Mommy. Can you show me?” Mia’s small hand brushes the fabric, her little mouth forming an o as she studies it with awe.
“Okay, but I still don’t know if I’m wearing this one.” I smile, trying to sound casual even as my pulse quickens.
I step into the bathroom, the dress sliding over my skin like a secret. When I look in the mirror, I’m startled by the reflection staring back. The color warms my skin, makes me glow; the fabric hugs my curves, pulls in my waist, and drapes over my hips just right. For a moment, I feel… beautiful.
Then my eyes fall to my cleavage, and my mother’s voice echoes in my head.
