Page 50 of Finding You
All my friends screamed in unison, “Feeling good as hell.”
The beat was catchy, and I was on my fourth drink so I was able to temporarily ignore my hatred of dancing. My new friends were having fun, and I didn’t want to offend anyone.
Pretty soon I was cutting loose, grinding with Nora, and shaking my hair to the lyrics. Lizzo’s advice about taking control of my life resonated, even through the bar noise and slight buzz of alcohol.
The girls were singing, and Dante joined us, twirling Cece around the dance floor. I was having so much fun, and I was overcome with emotion. These people were awesome. And they liked me. And I liked them. When was the last time that happened? I liked who I was around them. I was still me, but I was a relaxed, fun, and adventurous version of me. I would never admit it, but it seemed like Havenport was changing me.
19
ASTRID
Nora:Astrid you are not wearing a pantsuit to the engagement party.
Astrid: Why not?
Nora: Because it’s not a board meeting or a state funeral. When are you going to realize you are gorgeous and have a killer body? Please wear something cute. I’m begging you.
Astrid: I could wear a skirt suit instead…
Nora: Stop it. You’re giving me a migraine.
Emily: Astrid you’re hot. Please take a minute to enjoy it because before you know it you’ll wake up with three kids and will pee a little bit every time you sneeze.
Nora: Emily TMI! We have talked about keeping a lid on your pelvic floor dysfunction.
Astrid: I don’t have any cute clothes.
Cece: Um… we can fix that. Easily.
Nora: I obviously need to take control of this situation. New plan—everyone meet me at my store on Saturday morning. We will have goodies and cute outfits to try on.
Emily: I love a fashion show!
Maggie: I may have to bring my kids.
Nora: That’s fine. I’ll teach them how to make espresso. Give them a useful life skill.
Nora: Don’t be late.
* * *
As much as I hated to admit it, girl time at Nora’s store turned out to be a lot of fun. Things had been so strange with Declan since we kissed. It was good to kick back and take a break from obsessing about Declan.
When I arrived, the entire crew was already there, laughing and dancing. Dante had brought a manicurist from his salon who was doing nails, and he was styling everyone’s hair. Christian had carried in multiple storage totes of tools and products and they’d set up a makeshift salon in the middle of the store.
Christian had appointed himself fashion police and was supervising us as we tried on different dresses. He was smart, intense, and kind of intimidating, which is why I liked him immediately.
I took a seat on one of the velvet couches, immersed in watching what was going on.
“Where did these come from?” Cece’s older sister, Maggie, marveled, thumbing through gorgeous colorful dresses on a wheeled rack.
“I called in a favor,” Christian said, feigning boredom. “Now strip down and try this one on.”
Maggie looked horrified. “I can’t wear that. I’m not nineteen.”
Christian scrolled through his phone. “Blah blah, I’m tired of listening to you. Put it on your body.”
“Mom. That one is amazing. You need to wear it,” shouted her daughter, Ava. She was twelve and had a lot of opinions. True to form, Nora had taught her how to use the espresso machine, and she had been dutifully frothing milk for lattes for the last hour. She was a cute kid, precocious and sarcastic. She now sat on one of Nora’s colorful velvet sofas with a book.
