Rosie wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. She was crabby and sleep-deprived, and she didn’t want to take it out on her friends. They were doing their best. It wasn’ttheirfault the department store didn’t have anything that looked good on her.
“I amnotspending a hundred dollars on a dress that needs fixing.” She slunk back to the stall and pulled the garnet monstrosity off over her head.
“What else do you have in there?” Mia called out.
“Something for me,” Rosie murmured as she slipped the navy-blue sweater dress over her head. It would be way too warm for the club, but she could wear it with leggings this winter if she wanted to, or just by itself. It had cute cables down the front like the Irish sweaters Gram adored, but the neck was comfortably high, and it came down to her knees. So warm and cozy. She could just imagine curling up on the couch with a cup of tea, cuddling a cute guy. Then she sighed. As much as she wanted to, Rosie didn’t have time to date, much less any prospects. But it was something different, and after looking through her closet, she was craving some variety. Plus, it was on sale.
“Rosie! I had an idea. Try these on!” Jade called from beyond the door. When she opened it, her friend gasped. “That issocute! Oh my God, you need that.”
“Let me see!” Mia came up behind Jade. “She’s right, you need that.”
“I can’t wear this dancing, though.”
“But this might work.” Jade handed over a small pile, with glittery black ballet flats on top. “Try the whole thing on and see what you think.”
“I love the shoes! Let’s do this.” A surge of confidence overtook her as she latched the door and hung the dress back up. Rosie slipped into a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, which Jade had found in petite! Then there was a black sequined racer-back tunic-length tank that flared out over her hips and shimmered subtly. She slipped the shoes on and opened the door to show her friends.
“Ta-da!” Jade and Mia applauded, happy they’d found a winning outfit. “But what about a bra?”
“That’s easy, sugar. I’ll safety pin the straps in the middle of your back, and no one will have a clue.”
She was so lucky to have these girls. “You’re so smart, Jade.”
“I’m starving,” Mia chimed in. “You wanna get dinner?”
Rosie’s stomach growled her agreement. “Sure! Let me get changed and check out.”
Matt Lundholm’s head started to pound as a migraine built behind his eyeballs. Too much screen time, he decided, scrubbing his hands through his short beard. Unfortunately, he only had a week to find a place to live. The semester started on January twenty-fourth, but he was scheduled to report for his hospitality management internship on the twentieth. And he hadn’t found a furnished apartment available in Baltimore for the budget his parents had given him.
Orange Blossom was a high-end restaurant specializing in seasonal dishes with locally sourced organic ingredients. Chef Alphonse changed the menu daily depending on what fresh ingredients were available. Matt’s parents had treated him to lunch there after his interview in Baltimore, and it was no wonder Chef had two Michelin stars. A hallmark of fine dining, Michelin stars weren’t awarded to just anyone. Orange Blossom wasn’t a place he himself would normally go on a regular Friday, but maybe to impress a date, or celebrate something special. But then he got the letter saying he’d been selected as their management intern, and he’d nearly crapped his pants. This internship was a dream come true and could make or break his career before it even began.
All this meant nothing without a place to crash. Baltimore was a four-hour drive from his parents’ house in Virginia Beach, and since he gave up living on campus, he was desperate for a space of his own. He hated to ask for help, but then again, what was family for?
Plus, his sister owed him a favor.
She picked up on the first ring. “Matty! What’s up, little bro?” He heard the telltale sound of digital gunfire in the background, and her boyfriend’s voice shouting at what was probably a video game.
“How rough is this part of Baltimore you live in?” He teased her.
“Ugh, hold on.” Olivia’s eye roll was obvious in her voice. A door shut on her end of the phone. “There, better?”
“Yes, that’s much less violent.” He couldn’t help the snicker slipping through.
“Ha ha, very funny. Caleb came over to playCall of Dutywith Jake while Nadia and I went shopping.”
“Oh, I see.” He goaded her. It was a little brother’s job, after all.
“Now, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
“I got an internship for the spring!”
She squealed into the phone, and Matt had to pull it away from his ear. “That’s fantastic! Where is it?”
“At The Orange Blossom.” Silence. “That’s in Baltimore.”
“Oh my God!” She shrieked, which apparently caught her boyfriend’s attention because his voice was in the background, asking what was wrong. “So, you’re moving here?”
“Well, that depends. I need to cash in my favor.”
