Misty took the blue one and said, “I like this.”
The woman smiled. “You have good taste. That’s a silk-cotton blend. Very classic, it breathes, and it’s easy care. You can hand-wash it.”
Gabriella raised her eyebrows but said nothing.Good, Misty thought. I guess she really can keep her opinions to herself.
“I’d like to try these on.”
The saleswoman seemed a little too delighted. Misty realized she hadn’t checked the price. She glanced at the tag and almost swallowed her tongue. “Oh. I didn’t realize these were so expensive. I’m afraid I can’t afford such good taste.”
“Please don’t worry about it,” Gabriella said. “It’s my treat. We needed to get you a wedding gift, anyway. Call it your trousseau.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Don’t you know shopping is more fun if someone else is paying for it?”
Misty smiled at that. “I’ll have to win a shopping spree. I’m used to going to department stores that cater to young women my age. They know we don’t spend a lot, but we like to look as if we did.” The blouse fabric felt silky smooth as it slipped between her fingers, but was it worth almost two hundred dollars?
“That’s what I usually do too, but this is special. This is your first maternity outfit. And since you’re my first daughter-in-law to need one, I’d be thrilled to buy it for you.”
Misty doubted she’d be thrilled when she saw the price, but she couldn’t argue with her in front of the saleswoman. “Okay, if you’ll just show me to the fitting room.”
All three of them traipsed into the back. The saleswoman stood next to Gabriella, and it looked as if she wasn’t going to leave. Misty stepped inside the changing room and put on the outfit.
She hated it. It fit her shoulders perfectly, but she wasn’t used to seeing herself in anything that didn’t hug her body. She realized she had to buy looser-fitting items, but she didn’t want to look dowdy.
Turning and looking in the mirror again definitely didn’t help.Ugh. I look awful.I’ll probably be wearing muumuus soon.She felt tears brimming in her eyes. By the time Gabe turned back, she’d be wearing clothing like this all the time. How would he look at her then? Would she see the same hunger in his eyes?
“How does it fit?” the saleslady asked brightly.
Misty barely got the word “Fine” past her lips without choking on it.
“Is everything all right? Do you need any help?” the saleswoman asked.
“No,” Misty said, a little too quickly. “I’m…fine.”
She heard Gabriella asking the saleswoman to give them a minute.
She didn’t know whether to be grateful or worried. She just wanted to get out of there. This wasn’t where she belonged. She was only twenty-three. She wasn’t ready to be a mommy. She wasn’t even ready to give up the idea of owning a stellar wardrobe.Spandex, here I come.
Gabriella knocked. “Can I come in?”
Misty unlocked the door.
Gabriella stood back and took her in. “The clothes look beautiful on you, so that can’t be causing the tears in your eyes.”
Misty’s posture deflated. She swallowed hard. “I…I don’t think I can put into words what I’m feeling. I just don’t want to be here right now. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, honey. Don’t be sorry. You’ve had an awful lot to deal with lately. I kind of wondered when it was going to lead to some waterworks. I’m surprised you’ve held up so well until now.”
“Can we go to a fabric store?” Misty asked.
Gabriella looked surprised. “You like to sew?”
“Um, I wouldn’t say I like it, but sometimes it’s necessary. Like when I want something special and can’t find it at a store. Special dance costumes, mostly. Not that I’ll be sewing sequins all over my maternity wear.”
Gabriella gave her a weak smile. “Let’s get out of here. I have the feeling that what you want and need isn’t in any store.”
* * *
