The second boutique was smaller and so much less pretentious. The owner was a woman in her fifties who smiled warmly when we walked in. A small vase of pink tulips sat on the counter, cheerful against the gray February afternoon outside.
"Welcome! What can I help you ladies find today?"
"A gown for the Solas Valentine Gala," my mother said, but her voice was less sharp now. She seemed a little bit tired by this point.
"Wonderful! And you're shopping for...?" She looked between us.
"Me," I said.
"Perfect. What's your style? What makes you feel beautiful, honey?" The woman asked.
What makes me feel beautiful? I hadn't even thought that far into it.
"I... I like things that are comfortable. Soft. Not too tight."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Let me pull some options for you."
She disappeared into the back and returned with an armful of dresses. The options she came back with were already different. The fabrics were flowing and deeper in color. The styles that she'd chosen looked like they were made for actual human bodies instead of mannequins.
"Try these," she said softly. "And don't worry about what anyone else thinks. The right dress will make you feel like yourself. Just elevated."
I took the dresses from her and headed back to the fitting room. The very first one was a deep burgundy dress, off-the-shoulder with a skirt that flowed outward instead of clinging to my hips. The fabric was soft and felt like butter against my skin.
I faced myself in the mirror and actually loved what I saw staring back at me.
The bodice hugged my curves without squeezing. It actually fit my frame. The color made my skin glow, warm brown against deep red. Something about the richness of the burgundy felt right for the season too. Valentine's colors. Romantic without trying too hard.
You're going to look beautiful. Kael's words danced inside of my head.
"Let me see," my mother called from outside of the dressing room.
I stepped out and braced myself for criticism.
The second she saw me, my mother's face softened.
"Oh, Amara," she breathed. "You look beautiful."
The boutique owner appeared with a smile. "That color is stunning on you. Perfect for a Valentine's event."
I turned to look at myself in the three-way mirror. For the first time all afternoon, I didn't feel like I was trying to be someone else.
I felt like me, just in a fancy ball gown.
"This is the one," I said.
"Are you sure?" my mother asked. "Don't you want to try on the others?"
Biting my lip I looked down feeling confident. "I'm sure."
She nodded slowly, and for a moment, I thought I saw something like pride in her eyes.
"It really is perfect, sweetheart. That baker of yours won't be able to take his eyes off you."
I felt my cheeks heat. "Mom..."
But she was already heading to the counter to pay, a small smile on her face.
The boutique owner packed up the dress carefully while my mother paid. I tried not to look at the price tag. Tried not to feel guilty about how much she was spending.
