She went downstairs to take Lillian's call, but her mind kept circling back to Ben noticing but not mentioning the lipstick, to the warmth in his eyes, to tomorrow night and the terrifying possibility of wanting something for herself.
The lipstick had been the first step. Tomorrow would be the second.
She just had to be brave enough to take it.
CHAPTER 19
Kate stood in front of her closet at six-thirty, still in her bathrobe, staring at her limited options. The navy dress from her last dinner with Ben hung there, mocking her with its familiarity. She couldn't wear the same thing again.
“Stop overthinking,” Dani said from the doorway, holding a garment bag.
Kate jumped. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to watch you have a staring contest with your closet.” Dani came in, hung the garment bag on the door. “I brought you something.”
“Dani, no. I can't take your clothes.”
“It's not mine. I bought it for you yesterday, in Portland.” Dani unzipped the bag, revealing a dress in deep green, simple but elegant, with three-quarter sleeves and a wrap style that would be flattering without being revealing.
“You bought me a dress?”
“You bought yourself lipstick. I figured you needed something to go with it.” Dani held it up against Kate. “The color will make your eyes look amazing.”
“I can't accept this. It must have cost...”
“Kate, stop. Let me do this.”
Kate touched the fabric. It was soft, quality without being ostentatious. “It's beautiful.”
“Try it on.”
The dress fit perfectly, hitting just at the knee, cinching at the waist in a way that made Kate look like she had an actual figure instead of just being sturdy. She stared at herself in the mirror, not recognizing the woman looking back.
“Now sit,” Dani commanded. “I'm doing your hair.”
“Dani...”
“Please. Let me help. I need to feel useful for something other than picking paint colors.”
Kate sat at her old vanity while Dani worked with a curling iron she'd produced from somewhere.
“Where did that come from?”
“I brought it from New York. Figured you might need it eventually.” Dani worked in sections, her movements practiced. “Remember when Mom used to do our hair for special occasions?”
“She always did yours. Mine never cooperated.”
“That's because you never sat still long enough.” Dani pinned back one section. “You were always anxious to get outside, go fishing with Pop, work on something.”
“I’m not sure it was worth the trouble. No matter what anyone did to make me look better, I undid everything within an hour.”
Dani's hands stilled. “Katie, you were beautiful. You just never believed it. You know what Ben told Tom?”
“What?”
“That he's been watching you for years. That you were the girl everyone noticed but who never noticed anyone back because you were too focused on your studies and getting good grades.”
Kate felt her cheeks heat. “He said that?”
