“Alright,” I said, smiling as I grabbed my bag. “See you tonight.”
As I walked out of the restaurant, I felt a mix of exhaustion and excitement. Everything was perfect, and for the first time all day, I let myself relax. Now I just needed to make myself presentable.
When I got home, I dropped my bag by the door and headed upstairs. As soon as I stepped into my room, I spotted something unexpected, a stunning Galven London red dress hanging on the closet door. Next to it was a small note written in Meredith’s bold handwriting:
This is exactly what you need tonight. Trust me.
Mere xoxo.
I smiled, running my fingers over the fabric. Leave it to Meredith to find the perfect dress when I didn’t even realize I needed one.
After a quick shower, I started blow-drying my hair, letting the noise of the day fade into the background. Halfway through, I noticed music growing louder, the unmistakable beat of Madonna’s “Vogue” drifting closer and closer.
A moment later, Meredith appeared in the bathroom doorway, a Bluetooth speaker in hand and a wide grin on her face. She was in her silk Oscar de la Renta robe, her hair and makeup flawless.
“Okay,” she said, setting the speaker down. “Let me do your makeup. You’re not leaving this house until you look as perfect as that restaurant.”
“I was doing fine on my own,” I protested, but she rolled her eyes and motioned for me to sit.
“You were doing fine,” she said, pulling out her makeup bag, “but you could do better. Now hold still.”
I laughed as she started working, carefully brushing eyeshadow onto my lids and adding a pair of false lashes she somehow always seemed to have on hand. The whole time, she hummed along to the music, occasionally breaking into full-on lyrics whenever the mood struck her.
“Project complete,” she said triumphantly when she was finished.
I turned to the mirror and blinked at my reflection. My eyes looked bigger, brighter, and my skin glowed like I’d just walked out of a professional studio.
“You’re a magician,” I said, standing to give her a hug.
“You look flawless,” she said with a wink. “Now put that gorgeous dress on and meet me downstairs. We’re having a glass of wine before the men show up.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, laughing as she swished out of the room, her robe trailing dramatically behind her.
I slipped into my red gown, smoothing the fabric down over my hips, and glanced at my reflection one last time. The woman staring back at me looked confident and in control—a far cry from the whirlwind of nerves I’d felt earlier. The dress was a knock out, but I also had to acknowledge how far I’d come in the last year: I’d found my footing after the end of my marriage, taken huge strides in my career, and was no longer living in the shadows of an affair. Was I finally stepping into my future?
When I headed downstairs, Meredith was waiting with two glasses of wine and a satisfied grin. “You look fabulous.”
“Thanks to you,” I said, taking the glass she offered. “You look stunning, as always.”
She wore a black halter-neck jumpsuit with a plunging V-neck that revealed a tempting line of cleavage, making her look six feet tall, her toned shoulders on full display.
“Cheers,” she said, holding up her glass.
“Cheers,” I echoed, clinking mine against hers.
As we sipped, the house filled with easy warmth, the kind that only comes from being with someone who knows you better than anyone else. For the first time all day, I felt like I could let go.
As we sipped, the doorbell rang. Meredith smirked, setting her glass down. “I’ll get it,” she said, sashaying toward the door.
I heard the low rumble of male voices as I made my way toward the foyer. When I turned the corner, Will and Evan stood there, both looking ridiculously handsome. Will had a tailored navy suit with an open collar, his blonde hair gelled back just enough to look sinfully put together. Evan’s hair had that intentional messiness that came with great genes. His dark gray suit and V-neck looked custom-fit, his grin already aimed at Meredith.
“Hello, boys,” Meredith said, her voice laced with playful charm. “Don’t you two clean up nicely.”
Evan chuckled, his gaze lingering on her. “Not half as nice as you, darlin.”
Meredith blushed and smiled.
Will’s eyes locked on me, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. “Wow,” he said softly, taking a step forward. “You look incredible.”
