Mia paused in dropping her blazer onto a chair. Had her mom just made a joke? Her mind reeling, she tossed the cuffs onto the end table and sat, reaching for a handful of popcorn as casually as she could. “What’s playing?”
Gena nodded toward the screen. “Clark Gable. Doesn’t matter what movie.” She grinned.
A knot she hadn’t consciously recognized began to unravel in Mia’s gut. Her mother was on the mend and looked both at peace and calm. “So true.”
Dotty shoved the popcorn bowl onto Mia’s lap. “How’s the case going?”
“Not good.” Mia blew out air, unwilling to tell them about Seth or her visceral reaction to the man. “In the morning, I’m going through old boxes in the sheriff’s basement, and then tomorrow night, I’m attending the mayor’s ball in Seattle.”
Four eyes widened, and two mouths dropped open as the older women gave her their full attention.
“The ball?” Gena whispered.
Mia shifted in her seat. “Um, yeah. It’s actually for the case…but I’m going.” Why did they look so excited? She was attending because of a case and it would be a work night.
Gena clapped her hands together. “How fun. What are you going to wear?”
“Well, ah.” Mia cleared her throat. “I was thinking my black pantsuit. You know, the pin-striped one?”
Dotty gasped in horror. “No. You can’t wear a pantsuit to a ball. You just can’t.”
Mia pushed the bowl onto the table and tried to ignore the silky, florescent lime dress covering Dotty’s body. “I’m going to the ball for work.” Plus, the pantsuit was the nicest thing she owned. She didn’t have time to buy a dress and wouldn’t know what to get anyway. She’d never been good at that kind of thing.
“No.” Gena stood and hustled from the room, heading back to her room. Minutes later, she returned holding a long, black bag. “I have the perfect thing.”
Dread skittered down Mia’s spine. “I don’t think so.”
Gena nodded. “Remember Giuseppe Linette? I dated him for a year or so in the nineties. He designed clothing.” She slowly unzipped the bag.
Mia shook her head. “I don't remember him, and I’m not wearing a dress from the nineties.” Sure, her pantsuit was old, but at least it fit. Plus, her pants were wide enough to hide her ankle gun, and she could run quickly in them if necessary. It was the perfect outfit for a ball.
Gena drew out an evening gown, carefully tugging the shiny material free from the bag.
Dotty sighed, standing and fingering the sleek material. “Oh, my goodness. It’s gorgeous.”
Mia swallowed. The dress truly was stunning. Orange and red commingled in a pattern that looked like dancing fire. Glittering copper stones lined the top of a sophisticated corset that narrowed to a small waist banded by more sparkles. The dress danced to the floor with a slit high up on one side. “I can’t wear that,” she breathed.
“Sure, you can.” Gena shoved the dress toward her. “Go try it on.”
Mia gingerly reached out to take the hanger, her eyes wide. “My purpose is to stand in the background and watch. This dress won’t stay in the background.”
Gena lifted her chin. “You’re not meant for the background, sweetie. It’s time to stop hiding…time to live.In this dress.”
Mia shook her head, even as she headed up to her bedroom. “I don’t want to stand out.”
“Every woman wants to stand out,” Dotty muttered.
Panic had Mia’s knees weakening as she walked into the room. The excitement in her mom’s eyes wouldn’t be denied. No way could Mia quash that sudden will to live. Maybe the dress wouldn’t fit. She dropped her clothes and stepped into the cool material. The side zipper easily slid home.
She pivoted in front of the antique, oval mirror, her feet moving silently on the quilted rug.
The dress fit perfectly, almost as if it had been hand-sewn just for her body—from the way the corset pushed up her breasts to the slit that arrived high on her thigh. If she were somebody else, she’d love it.
Twin gasps echoed from the doorway.
Turning slowly, Mia prepared herself for the delight in Gena’s eyes as well as the anticipation in Dotty’s.
Gena twirled a pair of copper high-heeled sandals. “You’ll wear your hair down.”
