Lake gave my shoulder a little shake for emphasis. “Sure it is. I can see you care about him whenever you look at him. And the want in your eyes.”
“I don’t?—”
Lake threw her hand in the air, palm out toward me. “Don’t try and deny it.” She walked over to her purse she had sat on my dresser and pulled her phone out. “I know just what you need.”
Giving her a skeptical look, I asked, “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“Reinforcements.”
She made one call to Capri and before I knew it, most of the ladies had shown up at my house.
“Before we get downto business, I have something for you,” Capri said.
I looked down to see a silver heart-shaped necklace with small diamonds around the outer edge dangling from her fingertips. I cocked my head in confusion and looked back at her.
“That’s pretty, but you don’t have to let me borrow it,” I told her, assuming she was loaning it to me for my date.
Capri was a beautiful woman inside and out who’d come to me for counseling after going through a traumatic situation. I guess you could say we became friends; after all, she was the one who’d led me to the sister I’d never known about.
“Look again,” she said, nodding down to the piece of jewelry in her hand.
When I glanced down another time, it hit me. It hadn’t really clicked at first but all of a sudden I realized what was happening. My head snapped back up and I looked around the room at the women who’d come to help me prepare for the date.
Lake, Capri, Ruby, Summer, and Gemma stood watching me, the same exact necklace hanging from their necks.
“I told Lake I’d make sure you had one,” Capri said, snagging my attention again. “Not because we ever hope you need to be tracked, but because you’re one of us.”
Emotions swam through me faster than an Olympic swimmer shooting for the gold medal, the feeling of belonging almost overwhelming, but amazing at the same time.
Capri made twirling motions with the pointer finger on her free hand. “Turn around, let me put this on you.”
Tears clogged my throat, but I managed to get out a strangled, “Thank you,” before doing as she asked.
As the necklace settled against my bare skin and Capri clasped it closed, I stood just staring down at it. I knew it meant so much more to the group of women than just being something pretty to wear.
It was their men, as well as themselves wanting to keep each other safe, but also a symbol of their friendship.
It meant more to me than I could put into words.
My sister, knowing how much I struggled with this kind of thing, the touchy, feely moments, came to my aide. Slapping her palms together, she said, “Let’s see what clothes you all brought and get my sis ready for her first date.”
In seconds the room was bustling with women all thrown into action.
Ruby and Summer were fussing with my hair and makeup. My sister was literally painting my nails and toes. And Capri and Gemma were going through all the clothing they’d each brought with them to find the perfect outfit.
I had my own private salon going in my house, along with a group of personal assistants. How was this my life? I had wonderful kids, friends, and a boyfriend.
Wait, what? Boyfriend?
I was going on a date, but that didn’t mean Huntley was my boyfriend or would even consider himself to be. I’d never been down that road and hadn’t ever planned too either. But the thought of him even thinking of me in that sense did cause those little flutters in my belly that only he’d ever provoked.
“Holy smokes,” I heard, dragging my attention toward the doorway where my daughter stood, eyes bugging out comically. She looked like a cartoon character, and I laughed.
I’d just finished getting ready and hadn’t even gotten to take a look at myself in the mirror yet. I was almost scared to do it. Not because I thought the girls would do me wrong,but I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly and it would also mean it was almost time for the date.
Just as I was about to panic, Ruby gave one last swipe across my lips with the tube of lipstick in her hand, and said looking at Bre, “Your mom looks smokin’ hot, doesn’t she?”
“Don’t answer that and no more chick talk until I get out of the vicinity,” Lennon said, peeking over his sister's shoulder.
