KIRA
“Ihonestly can't believe this is happening.” Gem sits cross-legged on my bed, grinning like a maniac. She idly flips an old wallet around in her hands. “My big sister is going on a date.”
I glare at her through the mirror. “Don't make this harder than it already is.”
Gem laughs, shaking her head. “Why are you acting like you're marching off to a funeral?” Her eyebrows raise. “And why are you dressed like it?”
“Well, that's rude as hell.” I look at the black dress I'm wearing. “It's conservative, but it's not that bad.”
“You look like you’re about to walk down a receiving line. Why don’t you put on that blue one?”
“You mean the one that shows off my boobs? No, thanks.”
“You’re going on a date, Kira. The whole point is to show off your assets.”
“Is that what they’re teaching you in that fancy smart kid school?”
“Nope, I learned about this on Instagram.”
“I knew you needed less screen time.”
She jumps up, roots around my closet, and comes back with the blue dress. I frown at it and shake my head when she insistently shoves it into my arms. “Put it on. If you hate how you look, then you can go as Goth Laura Ingalls Wilder, okay?”
“You’re a nightmare.”
“Just do it.” She flops back down on my bed. “For me?”
I groan, but I can’t deny my sister anything, even my own embarrassment.
But like always, Gem’s right. Somehow the old navy wrap dress still fits. Sleeveless, a little tie at the waist, neckline plunging but not too bad. I find decent heels and earrings, and actually feel good about myself for once.
For a second, I can pretend that I’m not a waitress and a dog washer. Most of my life is spent either a mess or about to become a mess. But standing in front of the mirror right now, I feel almost… attractive.
I haven’t felt this way in a long time.
“That’s the one.” Gem sits up straight, grinning.
“It’s too formal.”
“Oh my god, no more excuses. Here, wear this necklace. He’ll stare at your cleavage when he notices it.”
“I hate you.”
A half hour later, Stellan’s car shows up in front of our apartment building. I hurry out, and luckily, nobody notices me going. I feel strangely mortified that I’m going out to dinner with a handsome, terrifying man, when I could be spending my time doing something more important.
Like slinging cheap coffee.
Stellan’s waiting for me beside the open back door to the expensive black town car. His eyes roam my body, and I feel wildly vulnerable. I figure he must be pretty disappointed, but instead he moves forward, puts a hand on the small of my back, and lightly kisses my cheek.
A thrill runs down my spine.
“You look fantastic,” he whispers.
“You don’t miss the apron?”
“Not at all.”
We climb into the car together. It takes off without Stellan having to say a word. I glance back at the building, worried about Gem, but she’ll be fine.
