Page 60 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“Thanks for meeting us,” Liz said as they approached. “Rose didn’t like anything at the Classic Woman Boutique.”
Rose huffed. “I mean, just think about the title of that store. I’m not classy, and I’m not a woman. There was never going to be anything for me in there.”
Liz shook her head and looked at Melody. “There were lots of overpriced, beautiful choices. But maybe there’s something even more special here.”
Melody pulled the keys to the store out of her pocket, found the one to the front entrance, and poked it into the lock. Then she turned it and the door sprung open. “If you find the perfect dress, it’s yours. Jo’s gift to you.”
Liz smiled warmly, her gaze bouncing between Melody and Christopher. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“Not at all. We were finished eating with my mom. We needed the distraction. Otherwise, my mom would have handed over a lengthy to-do list for me to complete. She always does.”
“It’ll wait until tomorrow,” Liz said with a laugh, her gaze trailing after Rose. “I better go help her.”
“And I’m going to help Christopher.” Melody pointed to a small section of men’s things. “Your next prom wardrobe awaits.”
Christopher headed in that direction and she followed, watching as he went through the racks. Two funky purple suits caught his attention.
“Those are dreadful,” Melody said as he held one up. Maybe he hadn’t outgrown his nerd phase after all. “And why are there two?”
Christopher shrugged as he lowered the suit and held it against him. “I don’t know, but it’s my size. The other will fit Matt, I’m pretty sure. I’m going to buy both.”
“You’re going to wear a purple suit to prom?”
“It’s cool.” Christopher cast her a teasing grin. “We’ll be the only ones there with suits like this.”
“With good reason.” Melody leaned against the wall beside the rack. “He might not agree.”
“Oh, he’ll agree.” Christopher checked the tag. “Fifteen dollars each.”
“I said it was all on the house.”
“Maybe for Rose, but not for me and Matt. I’ll pay. Now we just need to find you a dress,” he said, turning to her. “That is, if you’ll go to prom with me?”
“Oh, I-I’m not sure,” she stammered.
“Why not? You’ve decided to stay for the summer. What’s keeping you from saying yes?”
Her hand absently went to the bracelet. She looked at the purple suit in Christopher’s hands instead of at him while she considered which choice to make. It was just a dance, that’s all. She’d never made it to her own prom so maybe she was overdue to see what the big fuss was about. What was keeping her from saying yes? “Do I need to wear a matching purple dress?” she finally asked, looking up at him. “Because that might be hard to find.”
“In my opinion, it’s better if our attire clashes. I love to give the kids something to roll their eyes at.”
Melody smiled at this. “Okay,” she said, still holding onto the bracelet at her wrist. “I guess I need to join Rose in looking for a dress.”
To: Bri Johnson
From: Liz Dawson
Subject: Okay
Bri,
You will be okay. Everything will be okay.
This is short, but I fully expect you to read that line over and over again until you believe it.
xx,
Liz
