Seraphine nods. “That man is way too smart to be used, and too pigheaded to do a damn thing he doesn’t want to do.”
I laugh because Seraphine’s statement is so true. “He can be very stubborn.”
Myla points the straw of her drink at me. “For real though, and I’m not trying to poke or prod, but you couldn’t pick a better man—you know, other than Cash.”
“Or Drake,” Azalea chimes in, causing us all to giggle.
“I know he’s a good man, and he’s a good k-kisser too.” The words slip out, shocking us all. Seraphine and Myla Rose both gasp, Azalea smirks, looking like she wants to launch a full-scale investigation, and I drop my head into my hands, desperately trying to hide my burning, crimson cheeks.
Seraphine’s the first to break up the awkwardness. “I’m sorry, but say what?”
“I don’t think I can r-repeat it,” I say with my hands still shielding my face from view.
Gently, one of the girls peels my hands from my face. I keep my eyes clenched shut—anything to delay the metaphorical firing squad I’m about to face.
“C’mon, open your eyes,” Myla Rose murmurs, using her mom voice.
Not one to be left out, Azalea adds her two cents. “For real, girl—out with it!”
I inhale a deep, cleansing breath and start from the beginning, explaining how it started as little touches here and there and somehow grew into hot and heavy make-out sessions. “But, I’m not sure where it leaves us, or if it even means anything.”
“Magnolia.” Myla Rose speaks my name softly, her big brown eyes boring into mine. “I’ve known Simon since I was seven years old. He’s not the kind of man to do something without meaning it. He thinks before he acts, and he acts with intention.”
Butterflies attempt to take flight in my belly at her words, but I lock their cage tight. I don’t want to get my hopes up, and if the past has taught me anything, I’m not the best decision-maker when it comes to matters of the heart.
“Maybe, m-maybe not,” I murmur before draining the last dregs of my coffee.
“No maybe about it,” Myla Rose insists. “Now, who’s ready to shop?”
We stand and gather our belongings then make our way toward the door, stopping only to toss our empty cups into the trash can.
“Where first?” Azalea asks, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The girl loves to shop.
Seraphine is quick with a suggestion. “What about Ooh La La? I saw on Facebook they just got a new shipment of swimsuits!”
“Ugh. The thought of a two-piece after having Brody? Mortifying,” Myla Rose laments, but all the same, we set off toward the boutique.
The short, one-block walk passes quickly. Azalea immediately finds a ruby-red bikini with more strings and straps than I’d know what to do with.
Seraphine walks the perimeter of the shop, stopping and inspecting a few different suits before finally grabbing two to try on. “Do you think either of these will look good on me?” she asks, holding one in each hand. They’re total opposites. One is a tribal-style white bikini with beading and fringe, and the other is a royal-blue strapless one-piece. Given her tall, lithe figure, I’m willing to bet either one would look amazing, and I tell her so.
Azalea and Seraphine both head to the fitting rooms while Myla and I work up the courage to pull something to try on. Finally, she bursts out laughing. “Why are we being so weird? Seriously, it’s just us. No one will be in the fitting room with us. If it looks bad, who cares! No one has to know!”
I smile, because even though we’re hung up for completely different reasons, she’s right.Who cares?Grant isn’t here to tell me I need to lose weight or that I look like I’m “asking for it.” Nope, he’s nowhere in sight, and it’s high time I stop letting the ghosts of my past control me.
With a newfound sense of determination, I march straight over to the suit that caught my eye when we first walked in. It’s gracing the mannequin in the window, and while I’m aware it won’t look the same on me, I’m willing to try.
Swimsuits in hand, Myla and I beeline to the dressing room, and we’re in luck, because there just happen to be two rooms open. Myla takes the one on the left and I step into the other, pulling the heavy curtain closed behind me.
I keep my back to the mirror as I quickly shed my clothes—save for my undies—and step into the one-piece suit, shimmying it up my body. I take my time, adjusting the thick straps on my shoulders, pinching and pulling the suit away from my body until finally I’m satisfied.
Pinching my eyes closed tight, I pivot around to face the mirror.Whoa!is my first thought, followed quickly byI actually look good—really good.The design is simple, solid black with a subtle V-shaped neckline and horizontal mesh-filled cutouts on the sides. Classy and modest with a touch of sexy, it’s perfect.
I’ve never felt sexier, to tell the truth.Here’s to moving forward—to finding me again.Who knew something as simple as a swimsuit could spark something like this within me?
I quickly shuck off the suit, re-dress, and step back out into the main boutique area. Azalea and Seraphine are seated on a bench with shopping bags at their feet.
“Which did you go with?” I ask Seraphine.