“Good morning.” She beamed at him and addressed Sam. “I need to go shopping for a new dress today.”
He set his fork down and leaned his arms on the table. “Again? You bought a new dress recently.”
“We’re going,” she replied with a saccharine smile. He grumbled as he stood and took his dishes to the kitchen, and Rory sat next to her father. “Can you take off tomorrow? I want to spend the day together.”
His eyes lit up, and she immediately regretted not asking him sooner. “Of course, sport. I’ll ask to leave early tonight to get a few hours of shuteye before we start our day.”
“Be thinking of things to do,” she told him as she left to grab coffee.
Sam closed the washer and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed. “You are happy this morning.”
She picked up the coffeepot and lifted a brow. “I’ll try to sulk later if it makes you feel better.”
When he said nothing, she glanced at him, and he pushed off the counter. “I dislike seeing you upset.”
“I don’t like seeing you upset, either,” she replied. “You don’t have to tell me why that story upset you yesterday, but don’t shut me out. You’re as important to me as Dume or any of my other friends.”
The mug almost slipped from her hands when she saw him blink away what looked suspiciously like tears. “My reasons for being here are not ones I wish to discuss, but I am sorry for my behavior yesterday. I should not have treated you that way.”
She nodded. “It’s okay. I was upset and snapped at Lauren once.She almost killed me.” Sam’s mouth twitched, and she added, “Sometimes we take our pain out on those closest to us.”
He shocked her further by hauling her in for a bear hug. “If you tell Lauren I hugged you, I will deny it.”
“She can detect lies,” Rory reminded him when he released her.
“Not mine,” he replied as he brushed past her, leaving her to stare after him with a wide smile.
When Rory and Sam approached,Sera and Kordie were waiting outside of the boutique. Kordie wore a huge grin, and Sera clapped like a giddy schoolgirl.
“What’s the occasion?” she asked when they reached the door.
Sam held it open as they filed inside, and Kordie gave him a once-over. “Wouldn’t you rather wait outside?”
“You can sit on the bench like last time,” Rory suggested. “This will be torture for you.”
“I am staying,” he replied, allowing no argument.
“Caius told me in the soulscape last night to buy a new dress for tonight,” Rory whispered, answering Sera’s question. A few other people were in the store, and she didn’t want to be overheard.
Sera giggled. “What do you think he has planned?”
“I’m not sure.” She glanced around the store. “I need a dress similar to the one I wore at the Vincula Plenilune ball.”
Sera’s face flashed with genuine surprise. “What’s a Plenilune ball?”
Rory held up a dress and quickly put it back. “Caius throws the inmates a ball every Plenilune.”
“Like the galas the rich people have?” Kordie asked, draping a dress over her arm.
Rory tilted her head from side to side. “Eh, kind of, but more relaxed.”
“I wish someone here would throw a Plenilune ball for us lowly citizens,” Sera whined, flipping through the clothes closest to her.
The racks rattled when Sam tried to squeeze between them with a frown. “You should have stayed outside,” Rory said with a laugh, causing his frown to deepen.
“Is he always this grumpy?” Sera whispered.
“Yes,” Rory replied, shaking her head with a chuckle. Remembering Sam telling her that Sera lied about her day at work, Rory asked, “Where do you work?” Other than being aVisitantand Bruce’s daughter, she knew little about her new friend.
