“You did very well, Jonah. Thank you.”
Pride puffs out his chest. “So, I can take you shopping?”
“A deal’s a deal.”
Chapter 11
New Dress
Renée
Iknew Jonah wanted to purchase my entire outfit, but I didn’t know that he wanted to take part in today’s shopping activities. So color me surprised when he showed up on my doorstep and offered to drive us. I said no, so he hopped in my car and I drove.
I figured he’d transfer funds electronically to me, not be the one who swipes the damn card.
I also thought we’d just go to the King of Prussia Mall and find something in one of the high-end department stores, but nope. Jonah has directed me to a store in Conshohoken that I’ve never heard of.
As soon as we step out of my car and face the building, I know why. This is a dress boutique. The only time I’ve ever purchased a dress from a store this sleek and sophisticated was when I bought my wedding dress.
I’m suddenly painfully aware that I am no longer a size six. After babies, after Greg, after... everything, I’ve settled into a size twelve. And when you’re short like me, a size twelve fits a lot differently than it does an average-size woman.
I’m wracking up the timing constraints for alterations versus the wedding deadline when Jonah places one hand on my shoulders and opens the glass door with the other hand. “Come on,” he beams, completely unaware of the stress I’m already under. I’m not even paying for this, but I know this will not work out. Boutiques like this might—might—go as high as a size twelve. Even if I find adress, will I even like it, or will I settle because it’s the only option? What if they’re rude to me? What if we’re turned away because they don’t have my size? What if there isn’t enough time to alter the dress?
“Welcome.” A bright smile greets us. A middle-aged white woman with a brunette ponytail, dressed head to toe in black and wearing bright red, wide-brimmed glasses. “You must be Renée and Jonah.”
He extends his hand without pause. “Yes, we are.”
I shake her hand on autopilot. “Hi.”
“My name is Paula, and I’ll be assisting you today. May I bring you something to drink? We have sparkling water, champagne, wine, soft drinks of any kind...” She trails off and waits for us to answer.
I can already tell this place charges a lot.
I used to have money. Icamefrom money. But when our financial situation took a nose-dive and Greg moved us here, my priorities had to change. I adapted.
If I’m going to be out of here in ten minutes because they have nothing that will work for me, then you better believe I’m taking some bubbly as a consolation prize.
“Champagne, please,” I say cooly, because I will not show fear.
“Make it two,” Jonah nods.
Paula narrows her eyes at Jonah. “Would you mind showing me your ID?”
I fight back a snort of laughter, but he seems unfazed as he whips it out of his wallet and shows her that he is just barely old enough, in fact, to legally drink.
I snatch the ID from him before he tucks it away, and I look for myself.God help me, he’s twenty-five years old.
“I’m a Taurus,” he says with a wink.
Another staff member comes along with two flutes of champagne (how did they get here so fast?). When the brim of the glass touches my bottom lip, I survey the space.There are large canvases displayed with abstract, but distinctly round, womanly figures. And when I take in the mannequins, they’re all... large. Larger than me, even.
“Now tell me about the event,” Paula says, flicking her fingers like she’s digging for gossip with a friend. “What are we going for?”
Too struck by what I see to actually register what she says, I blink in shock. “Excuse me, Paula, was it?”
She offers a courteous smile and nods.
I cuff a hand around Jonah’s arm and lead him. “Can we have a moment?”
