“Yup, he did.”
Dani finished with the hair, then pulled something from her pocket. Their mother's silver clip with tiny pearls. “I found this in her jewelry box. Thought you should wear it.”
Kate touched the clip reverently. “What if I lose it?”
“Then you lose it. Mom wouldn't care. She'd just be happy you were going on a date and having fun for a change.”
Kate applied the coral lipstick with steady hands. In the mirror, she looked like someone she barely recognized. The green dress brought out colors in her eyes she'd forgotten existed. Her hair fell in soft waves, held back on one side with their mother's clip. She looked pretty. Actually pretty.
“There she is,” Dani said quietly. “There's my sister.”
Kate tapped Dani’s hand, “Thank you for doing this.”
“My pleasure. Hopefully soon, you won’t need my help and will do this yourself.”
At five minutes to seven, Kate sat in the lobby pretending to read a magazine while her entire family pretended not to watch for Ben's arrival. Tom was allegedly working on his laptop, but she could see him glancing at the window. James was having an elaborate conversation with Amy about Pop's medication schedule, though Amy had it memorized. Even Pop was there, sitting in one of the restored chairs, though he seemed confused about why everyone had gathered.
“Are we having a party?” Pop asked.
“Kate has a date,” Dani announced.
Pop looked at Kate, his eyes focusing with unexpected clarity. “You look beautiful, Katie-girl. Like your mother on our wedding day. That color...” His voice drifted off, lost in memory.
Kate's throat tightened. “Thanks, Pop.”
Ben's truck pulled up at exactly seven. Kate stood quickly, wanting to get to the door before her brothers could intercept him, but Tom was faster.
“Ben,” Tom said, opening the door with his lawyer smile. “Right on time.”
“Tom.” Ben nodded, unintimidated. He looked past Tom to Kate, and his expression changed, something soft and surprised crossing his face. “Kate. You look... wow.”
Kate felt her face heat. Behind her, she heard James whisper something to Dani, who shushed him.
“Ready?” Ben asked, seeming to recover his composure.
“Yes.” She grabbed her coat, the same practical one she always wore, though it looked wrong with the dress.
“Wait,” Dani said, producing another coat, black wool and actually stylish. “Borrowed this from Marcy. Your parka ruins the effect.”
Kate wanted to protest but took the coat. It fit perfectly, made her look put-together instead of just practical.
“Have her home by eleven,” James called out with a grin.
“Ignore them,” Kate told Ben as they walked to his truck.
“I don't mind. They love you. It's nice.”
He helped her into the truck, and Kate noticed he'd cleaned it. No sawdust, no tools, even the floor mats looked new. He was wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt she'd never seen, looking more dressed up than she'd ever seen him outside of their first dinner.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he drove toward town.
“Portsmouth. Figured we could both use a break from everyone knowing our business.”
They drove for a while without talking. Kate found herself stealing glances at him, noticing things: the way his hands held the wheel, confident but relaxed; how he'd trimmed his beard; the faint smell of soap and aftershave.
“You look incredible,” he said at a stoplight. “That dress... the color suits you.”
“Dani bought it for me. Said I needed something new.”
