My gaze lands on my discarded ridiculous white tank and tattered shorts on the floor. Boho chic, my best friend calls my style. It’s literally thrift store fashion at its finest. Or worse, according to my co-workers. But I love that Tuesday sees nothing but the best in me, labeling me as quirky, not contemptible. She’s never once let me feel inferior. God, if she could see me right now. I snicker.
Standing on my tiptoes, I rotate from side to side, taking in the over-the-top sparkle and the way the back dips seductively low.Pffft. Lauren could only hope to carry outfits like this in her store, I harumph. A giggle escapes as I imagine the expressions on her and Tiffani’s faces if they passed me on the sidewalk wearing this. Wrapping my arms around my middle, I revel in this rare moment of joy.
How could this day have turned around so spectacularly?
After recovering from the whole flat tire debacle, I managed to contact my mother’s neighbor, Winnie, to see if she would call the MediVan to take Mom to her appointments today. I’d really wanted to be there. Not only did she have several hours between the two, she’ll have to wait aimlessly, but I was also curious to see if her pulmonologist might have any free samples Mom could use until her insurance hit the donut hole. Her healthcare expenses were astronomical. Once we reached the end of the year and her deductibles were met, we could finally catch a break as her copays and prescription costs were covered until the new calendar year. But I’d learned Mom wasn’t good about advocating for herself.
“You doing okay in there?”
Good Lord, Grace. You manage to get all dolled up, and that’s where your head goes? Enjoy this.
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry I’m taking so long. I’ve never worn anything this incredible before. I lost my head for a minute.”
“Is it okay to come in?”
“Of course!” Rushing to open the door, I’m greeted with a sigh of contentment from the kind saleswoman. Her arms are laden with shoes, a clutch, and what appears to be a makeup bag.
“This dress was made for you,” she gushes.
“I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“You’re going to knock Ben’s socks off.” She laughs. “I can’t wait to take in his expression.
Ben. That’s a nice name.
I shake my head. “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Glancing at my reflection, I flinch, taking in my puffy eyes, and my ridiculous hair. It looks like a bird made a nest on top of my head, then decided to fly off in search of new digs. I chew on the corner of my lip, my gaze landing on the saleswoman’s nametag. Glinda. Like the good witch inThe Wizard of Oz. Feels fitting, somehow. “If only the rest of me looked as sophisticated as this dress.”
Glinda raises her arms, bringing the stiletto heels and the makeup bag into view. “That’s where I come in, dear.”
As if this woman had a direct dial to Cinderella’s fairy godmother, I’m all dolled up and ready to go in ten minutes flat. Watching her in action was like living a real-life rom-com montage. “Thank you. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life.”
“Oh, Grace. I’m grateful you allowed me to take part in your evening. It was an honor.”
Lord, please don’t anyone wake me from this dream.
Glinda swings the dressing room door wide, and I’m suddenly face to face with the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Heck, he was beautiful before. But in a white dress shirt that hugs his sinewy frame, and a royal blue tie that brings out the dazzling sapphire hue of his irises, he’s mouthwateringly handsome.
“Hell.” Ben drags his hand through his dark hair, the slight mussonly adding to his allure. I nervously wring my hands in front of me, hoping he’s not disappointed. “You’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”
My throat tightens at his compliment. And what’s more, it feels genuine.
Don’t cry, Grace. Been there, done that, remember? He might start to worry you’ve got issues.
“Thank you for allowing us to work with your Grace, Ben. She’s simply lovely. I hope you’ll bring her back someday real soon,” Glinda adds.
“Yes,” he splutters. “Grace. I mean… yes.” He shakes his head, chuckling nervously. “I do too.”
A low chorus of giggles erupts behind us, and I turn to take in several of Glinda’s coworkers. Man, if days working at my shop felt like this, I wouldn’t mind it near as much.
“You two run along now. We’ll put this on your tab, Ben.”
His tab? That seems odd. Maybe he knows someone who works here. Oh, Glinda is probably his older sister or something. I mean, I couldn’t find any prices on the garments I tried on. But if Lauren’s shop is any indication, I can’t imagine this is on a construction worker’s budget.
Ben leads me to his truck. His warm hand pressed to the exposed skin of my lower back causes electricity to pulse through me. My body is tingling in anticipation of the night ahead instead of dreading it. Yet why am I so nervous all of a sudden? After the way we met, the rest of the night should be a piece of cake.
My gaze catches on someone in the distance and pauses, the abrupt stop nearly causing Ben to topple onto me.
“You okay?”
