Page 27 of Unbidden

She looks as if she wanted to argue, but she nods anyway.

“I can agree to that. If I can’t get a ride from someone, I’ll call a cab. That’s a fair compromise,” I agree.

I would take the bus if I had to, but they didn’t need to know that. Besides, Victoria had already made me promise to let her drive me since I refuse to get my own car. She also agreed to share her car with me, allowing me to drive it when I need to. I wouldn’t take her up on it often, but it may come in handy.

“Great. Now we should celebrate. How about I take you out for dinner at Noble?” Richard asks.

I give V a questioning look.

She smiles widely. “Perfect. Come on, S. I’ll help you get ready.

∞∞∞

An hour later, I’m dressed in a navy blue wrap maxi dress with sleeves. My legs are completely covered save a long slit on the left side of the dress up to midthigh.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wear a pair of heels?” Victoria asks for the fifth time.

I pull my dress up, looking down at my Chucks. They actually match the dress well, even though they aren’t nearly as fancy as the dress feels.

“You don’t think they match?” I tease.

“They look badass. You don’t know how to blend, do you?”

I shrug. “I like me the way I am. No shame.”

She chuckles. “Come on. They’re probably waiting for us.”

As we descend the stairs, Alice gushes, “You girls look gorgeous.” She holds her hand to her lips as she fights back tears.

I take in her cocktail dress. It’s as elegant as she is. “You do too.”

She gives me a smile before folding me in a hug. She tends to give me my space, but it’s obvious she’s an affectionate person. My mom had been as well, but Alice still feels like a stranger to me sometimes. This time I allow it, hugging her back.

“You’re a spitting image of your mother. Regal and gorgeous,” she whispers.

I pull back, feeling my own tears pooling in my eyes. Those words mean the world to me.

“Thank you.”

“You ladies ready to go?” Richard walks into the room, grabbing his keys.

“Yep,” Alice says as she wipes her tears away. “Let’s go celebrate Sage’s new job!”

As we all head to the car, I look around at the people who’ve taken me in. I might still plan to leave in eight months, but their level of compassion has put a chink in my armor. I thought it would be easy to leave and never think of this place again. Now I’m not so sure I can abandon these people who are slowly becoming the family they should have already been to me.

Victoria turns to me, realizing I stopped. “You coming, S?”

I shake my head to clear it of my thoughts. “Yes.”

∞∞∞

V drops me off twenty minutes early for my first shift. When I was filling out applications, this diner was the one I really wanted to land. It looks busy, which hopefully means good tips, and they’re more laid-back than some of the other places I applied for. Here I can wear T-shirts and jeans, no stuffy white shirt and black pants needed.

I wonder if I still have time to return them and get our money back.

I make my way past the hostess station, walking straight up to the old-school diner counter in the middle and waiting for the person filling up drinks to turn around.

“Please tell me you’re the new hire?” she pleads when she faces me while loading her tray.

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