“Yes. And shoes to match. I also need a dress in dusty rose or sage for a wedding in two weeks. They sent their invitations out very late.”
“No problem.” It was a big problem, but what could she do? Kayleen had a huge prejudice against boutique stores and online shopping, so they’d see what this store had and go from there.
She wasted no time flipping through the racks and held up item after item, most of which were immediately rejected by Kayleen.
While Kayleen was in the dressing room, Emma checked her phone. She’d heard the little buzz of an incoming text, and to her delight, it was George.
I’m an idiot.
I happen to like idiots.She quickly texted back.
Well, that’s a relief.
Kayleen came out and Emma quickly hid her phone and her smile, but not before Kayleen saw. She frowned. “I was afraid you were too young for this job. Stay off social media and pay attention. Well, what do you think?” She turned in a circle in the jacket and skirt, and Emma scrunched her nose. It was passable business attire. Nothing special. It would need major alterations and made her look boxy.
“It’s okay. I don’t love it on you.”
Kayleen sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
Emma tapped her side. “Can I ask why you hired me? You never take my advice on what would look good, and you don’t want to go to any of the stores I suggest.”
Kayleen smiled. “That right there is why I hired you. I don’t need someone to cower before me and tell me everything looks great on me. I need brutal honesty.”
“Well, to be honest, I don’t think we’ll find anything here. The one good jacket and skirt in the store is back on the rack. You said it looked like a zebra and a rhino had a baby and someone skinned it and turned it into a dress suit.”
“I did say that, didn’t I? Well, go fetch it, and I’ll try it on.”
Emma practically skipped back to the section they’d found it in and pulled the offending suit off the rack. Kayleen took it from her, holding it away from her body like it might bite her or something, but she went into the dressing room to try it on. Almost ten minutes went by, and when she came out, Emma knew that look on her face was as close to eating crow as the woman was going to get. While still being conservative, it stood out just enough to get her noticed, and it fit like it had been made for her body.
They bought the skirt and suitandfound a dress for the wedding. By sheer luck, Emma was convinced. Kayleen paid her in cash before they left the store.
By the time Emma returned home for the day, she was practically walking on air. Well, until she walked into the kitchen to face Harriet. It was time for them to have a talk. No more of this avoiding each other nonsense.
Granddad was working on a new puzzle. Harriet had set up a card table this time, and he had his headphones on, slightly swaying to the music. Occasionally he liked to listen to the old crooners.
There would never be a better opportunity. They could throw pots and pans around, and at the volume he had that music he’d never hear.
Taking Betty’s lead, Emma decided to just be out with it. “Harriet, let’s talk about George.”
Harriet set down the mixing bowl she’d been drying and hunched her shoulders. “It’s not working. I’m annoying him, aren’t I?”
Emma pressed her hands into the counter. “I truly am sorry for everything I’ve said and done. I’ve been a terrible friend to you and an even worse boss. And with that said, not talking about any of this isn’t helping us either. So, whatever I suggest, you can toss to the wind if you want.”
Harriet gave her a small smile. “I’ve missed you, Emma. You never answered me when I asked if pursuing George would make things weird, and I accepted your deflection as permission. I’m a terrible friend and employee. So I guess we’re even.”
For some odd reason, Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m in love with him.”
Harriet put her hands to her cheeks. “Oh, it’s worse than I thought. Why didn’t you tell me to back my turnip truck around and try some other field? I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I think I was still in denial about it until you set your sights on him. In a way, you woke me up to it.”
“Well, at least it was good for something. I’ve made a fool of myself. Martin’s dating someone else, and I just desperately didn’t want to be alone when he wasn’t.”
That only made Emma feel worse. She was the cause of Harriet’s unhappiness. She hadn’t wanted to see it, but Harriet had not been the same person since breaking up with Martin. Her cheery, carefree nature only came out in spurts now, like the sun trying to break through cloud cover.
“How do you know Martin’s dating someone else?”
“He texted me and said he wished me the best, no hard feelings, and he’d started dating someone, and I shouldn’t feel bad for wanting to move on. He was very sweet about it.”
