With shopping bags in my hands, a new bathing suit I may or may not have the courage to wear, and just enough freedom to start building a life that feels like mine again.
“Cash or charge today?”
I grin as I step up to the counter at Jessica’s Closet, juggling two very full shopping bags already digging into my fingers.
“Charge,” I say. “I get double points, so really it’s a win-win.”
Jessica beams at me from behind the counter, her red hair practically glowing under the boutique lights.
“Ooh, I love girl math.”
“Right? It’s basically saving money.”
“Exactly.”
We both laugh, and I swear, every time I come in here I like her more.
This place is dangerous, though.
Like—actually dangerous.
Jessica’s Closet specializes in plus-size fashion, which already makes it my personal heaven, but then there’s the Kisses by Kylie section tucked along the back wall like some kind of sinful little secret.
Lace. Silk. Satin.
Things that make me feel like I could be that girl.
The confident one.
The bold one.
The one who doesn’t second-guess herself before walking into a room.
I glance down at my bags, biting my lip.
Inside is a mix of sundresses, matching bra-and-panty sets, and—Gods help me—a bathing suit.
Not just any bathing suit.
A sexy bathing suit.
The kind that says I know exactly what I look like and I’m not apologizing for it.
Will I ever wear it?
The jury’s still out.
But something in me whispered, buy it.
So I did.
“Okay,” Jessica says, handing me my receipt, “so are you busy?”
“Huh? Um, I’m actually giving myself the morning and afternoon off. It’s good to be the boss,” I say with a wink.
“Good! Then you have to stay.”
I blink.
