ChapterTwenty-Three
On Wednesday after work, Sarah walked up the street from her office toward a small boutique she often passed during her lunch hour.The dress in the window had caught her eye the day before: steel blue, in a soft, silky fabric, its hem traced with delicate silver leaves.
The shop door chimed softly as she stepped inside, and the faint scents of lavender and pressed cotton welcomed her.
“Can I help you?”a clerk asked a few moments later.
Sarah pointed to the dress in the window.“I’d like to try that one.”The clerk nodded and walked to the other side of the room to get her size.
A few minutes later, she slipped the dress over her head in the changing room, smoothing the fabric along her sides before gathering the curtain aside to study herself in the mirror.
The color brightened her complexion, and the gentle drape of the fabric was unfamiliar, lighter than her practical clothes.
It was perfect.
Sarah paused only briefly to look at the price tag.She could afford it.It had been a long time since she’d bought something just for herself.
Her next stop was the shoe store a few doors down, where choosing proved more difficult.She wanted sandals that would be comfortable enough to stand in for hours, with only a small heel.Something practical but still pretty.
After trying on five different pairs, she finally settled on a simple silver pair she could wear with other outfits long after this one evening had passed.
By the time she finished paying, she realized she was going to be late to pick up Riley from Simon’s place.She began to panic.She hated being late, and she really didn’t want to have to tell him the reason she was late.He might read too much into it.
She texted him when she got to her car.So sorry to be late.On my way.
He didn’t reply, so she pulled into traffic and headed toward his house, grateful that he was so laid back.She appreciated that trait but didn’t want him to think she took him for granted.She knew how it felt to be taken for granted.
When she arrived at the house, she found Simon and the kids in his front yard, playing a game of bocce.
“Did you find a dress?”he asked when she arrived.
She stopped a moment, startled, heat rising to her face.“Yes, thanks,” she said.“How did you…?”
Simon’s mouth twitched and his gaze slid past her shoulder to Riley, who was suddenly very interested in lining up bocce balls.
“Riley,” Sarah said, using her calm lawyer voice.“Did you tell Simon I was shopping?”
“Maybe,” Riley said, not even attempting innocence.
Simon lifted both hands.“For the record, I didn’t interrogate her.She volunteered the information.”
Sarah exhaled slowly.“Of course she did.”
“We’re just about done here,” he said, stooping to pick up a ball.“I’m pretty sure I’m going to win,” he added confidently.
The following day at work, Sarah found herself stopping to chat with some of the staff gathered at one of the desks, talking about the dance the next day.
“What are you wearing?”she asked one of the women, who looked back at her, blinking hard.
“Umm, I got a red dress,” she said.
“I hope you enjoy the evening,” said Sarah to the trio.“Maybe I’ll see you there.”She walked toward her office, smiling to herself.
Who knew being unpredictable could be so much fun?
That evening, right after work, Sarah picked up the two girls as arranged.
Riley seemed happy, but Sally’s eyes were shining with excitement.Whatever reservations she’d had about taking her along vanished.
