The dress was where I’d left it, folded in the bag I’d intended to use to take it back to Cheryl. I pulled it out, shook it a little to free the skirt.
“Damn it,” I said. Because I did like it. Even if it reminded me of Ryder and how our relationship was a little off the rails. Even if it reminded me that though I was living with the man of my dreams, I was still a little lonely.
“Time for a fresh start,” I said out loud. “You’re going to be my Bertie dress. My event-going dress. The thing I pull out that means I’m doing my job, and damn prettily, thank you.” I gave it another shake, not sure I could make it feel like a uniform, but determined to try.
“Let’s do this.”
I stripped, took a quick shower to slough off the day’s sweat and magic, slung on the dress and brushed my hair. I braided it back, took it all out, thought about leaving it down, then went for the middle ground and pulled it to one side in a loose, messy kind of braid.
Shoes. I had running shoes, my work boots, or flip flops.
“Sorry, Bertie.” I couldn’t imagine having to deal with crowd control or some other emergency in flip flops, so I put on my work boots.
They looked…well, it could be worse.
The little plant Than had given me drew my eyes. I’d been good about keeping it watered. But just in case, I stuck a finger in the soil. It was damp. And right there in the middle, a tiny green sprig curled up out of the dirt. Whatever it was, it was starting to grow.
“Good job, buddy,” I said as I turned the pot so the indirect light from the window fell on the tiny leaf. “You got this.”
I made sure I had my phone and keys. On the dresser, I found the envelope I’d picked up Thursday at the casino. I groaned. So much had happened, I’d forgotten to deliver it to Bathin.
I tucked it in my pocket just as a message buzzed on my phone. I tapped the screen. A text from Jean saying she and Myra were already at the crowning and had saved me a place. She added a little emoji of a fancy dress, a crown, and the barf face.
I grinned, sent her the thumbs up, then checked for anything from Ryder. Nothing. I dropped the phone into my pocket and nodded. That was about right.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Crowning,”Jean mused, sipping from a Puffin Muffin travel mug. “I get it now.”
I looked away from the stage where a table was set, long-stemmed flowers scattered across the white lace tablecloth. In between those flowers were silver stands, and on each of those was a type of tea and pastries.
Off to one side, on a golden pedestal, sat a crown. It was made of golden leaves and vines, the flowers pegged in the center with jewels. It was costume jewelry, but it was still a crown and looked very fancy. Next to it were two smaller crowns, silver and copper, simple rings made of leaves, no jewels or flowers.
There was also a mic up there. The background was taken up by a lattice of wood and fairy lights.
I had to admit, for a quickly constructed stage, it somehow carried a fairytale vibe.
“What did you think crowning meant?” I asked.
I had a cup of coffee too. Jean had insisted on it. Since I’d replaced lunch and dinner with my weight in pastries, the unsweetened, but cream-added, coffee was perfect.
Really, everything about the day was perfect: the weather, the soft breeze, the crowd that was still upbeat, excited, happy.
Jean wore this gorgeous orange print, boho maxi-dress with a swooping turquoise hem. She gave me a crazy grin and a wink. My other sister was walking my way in a 1940s-style navy blue dress that showed off her curves, her demon boyfriend looming behind her and scowling at anyone who gave her the side eye.
Hogan worked his way over too, looking sharp in that jacket, his smile for Jean filled with adoration.
I smiled at each of them and tried not to scan the crowd for Ryder. I knew he wasn’t here. Was probably off doing errands for Mithra. I knew I had to get comfortable with that.
“Hey,” Myra said. “Wow. I can’t believe you’re wearing a dress.”
“Like it?” I stuck my hands in the pockets. “It has pockets.”
“You look amazing,” she said.
“You do,” Jean said. “Like it was made for you. It’s perfect.” Then Hogan was behind her, and she spun to give him a big hug.
“Shh…” Myra said. “Pay attention. Here we go.”
