I smiled as Ilsa spoke up, all eager. “Hi, Ilsa. Is your mother around?”
“She’s in the kitchen. I’ll get her.”
I heard Ilsa yell for her mother, and the sound of walking. The line was quiet for a moment before I heard Jade speak up. “Hey, Nora. Sorry, I was cooking.”
“It’s fine.” I looked across the room, staring into the closet. “I have a question. I’m staring in my closet, and it would seem I have no clothes. So, how does a shopping spree sound?”
“Oh my god, yes! It’s been forever.”
I smiled. “Want to meet me on Main Street?” I glanced at my clock sitting on my desk. “Like half an hour? Or does that cut into your lunch? Maybe you need more time.”
“Screw the food. Brandon! You’re in charge of lunch! I’m dipping.”
I laughed as I heard Brandon yell back with questions. I ended the line and threw on something.
Half an hour later, I watched as Jade walked toward me with Ilsa walking eagerly alongside her. I smiled as I pulled myself out of my car. “Hey.”
“Shopping spree!” Ilsa screamed with glee. Ilsa ran at me, and I hugged her as Jade chucked. “Someone refused to stay at home with her father after she heard ‘shopping.’”
“Of course she did. Who doesn’t want new clothes?”
“Not that I really need a reason to shop, but why are you looking for new clothes anyway?” Jade asked as she pulled the door open to the Beauty Boutique.
I chewed on my cheek for a moment as we walked inside, taking in the clothes. The boutique was a frequent place weshopped at because it had a nice kids’ section for clothes. It was exactly like the name, beautiful. The place was decorated like a princess’s castle with a large crystal chandelier.
“I need to buy something to wear on a date.”
Jade looked at me with wide eyes, stopping in her tracks. “Wait, you’re going on a date with Kaleb?”
“That is what you do when you’re dating someone.”
I looked away from her and toward a sweater dress hanging near me. “I want to look nice, and all my clothes are a little old.”
Jade tilted her head as she stared at me with amusement. “Why do you want to look so nice for this? Is it because you maybe want to get my brother’s attention?”
I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress the blush. A part of me did want to dress up for him. A part wanted me to win his attention. But I also knew that was childish.
“It’s a date, and unless I appear like I care, others won’t believe it.” I turned with the dress. “Does this look nice?”
Jade looked at the dress and then looked back up at me. “You guys are really doing this? This dating thing.”
I nodded. “Your father doesn’t believe us, so yes.”
She groaned as she turned, looking around the clothes. “I just want to make sure you guys are thinking about this. I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”
“We are both adults, Jade. We are going to be fine.”
She turned, holding a dark dress in her hands. “I know, but still. You’re like a sister to me, and he’s my brother. I’m just making sure you both are thinking about everything.”
I grabbed the dress. “We are. Now, is this my size?” I pulled the dress up. “Because this is cute.”
“I thought you might like it.” She pointed toward the dressing room. “Go try it on while I hunt down my child.”
I chuckled and headed toward the dressing rooms. I grabbed another dress as I walked, thinking it looked nice. I slid into the dressing room and tried to first dress on. It was a dark gray sweater dress that clung to me. But it was scratchy, and I pulled at the neck, hating how tight it was.
“How is the dress coming?” Jade asked, and I could hear her voice near me. I slid the curtain back, and Jade stared at me. She cringed. “You look miserable.”
“I think this was made with wool mixed with a thousand little needles.”
