Scarlett frowns. “I’m sorry. He told you to cover up?”
“Yeah. He pointed out things that made me want to over time. I want to think I look good, but when I look at myself, I’m remembering all the things he made me notice.”
“First off, fuck your ex.”
“You’re a therapist. Should you be saying that?”
“I’m off work right now. Trust me, I think it often. Usually about men. Your partner gets nosay in what you wear.Youdo. And making comments on your body? Absolutely not.”
“You’re right.”
“What does Nate think?” she asks.
“I don’t talk to him about this kind of stuff.”
“But does he ever make any comments like that?”
“Oh, Godno. He would never.”
Scarlett raises her brow and I realize she led me right to her point.
“I didn’t think about all of it. Not logically, at least. I avoided it.”
“Sometimes the body knows what the mind doesn’t, even if you’re afraid. Don’t ever doubt the power of denial. We all have it every now and again.”
“At least I’m not a total idiot.”
“You’re not. And you’re out of that relationship. No one will make a comment like that again, and if they do, punch them in the face.”
“You’re advocating for violence?”
“Absolutely.” She laughs. “Especially to idiots. Now—” She leads me to the mirror. “What does Maisie think about this outfit?”
I look away from all the things that Rob would’ve pointed out. I can see the slight olive tone of my skin, pale after being hidden for so long. I may be shorter, but I like the curve of my hips and the way my boobs look because of the underwire the bikini has.
“I ... like it. Even if I’m nervous.”
“There you go,” Scarlett says. “So, we’re getting this.”
“Which means we’re done, right?” I don’t like the idea of cutting this off here, but we accomplished what we came for.
“Absolutely not. I saw some dresses at the shop next door webothneed to try on.”
I perk up immediately. “That sounds fun. But I don’t need a dress.”
“Every lady needs a hot dress. You included.”
“Will we make it back to port in time?”
She pulls out her phone. “Close enough. But we have no time to waste. Let’s go.”
chapter seventeen
We barely get backon the ship in time. The second my phone connects to the Wi-Fi, I have multiple texts from Nate asking if I’m okay. I curse when I see them and immediately run back to the room, dragging my bags with me.
Nate’s on me from the second I open the door. “Maisie, what the hell?” he asks. “Where have you been?”
“I may have gotten off the boat for a little bit.”
