Page 92 of Enough
“I hope you’re not upset with me.”
“Why in God’s name would I be upset that you get a night out with your best friend? I’m glad you get a chance to be pampered and relax. Just know I’ll be thinking about you the whole time I eat my Chinese takeout and fall asleep on my couch.”
“That sounds like a perfect night to me.”
He takes a step forward, and I can tell he wants to touch me. “Well, if you get home early, you’re more than welcome to spend the night again.”
I smile and my head drops. He’s such a flirt. The idea of falling asleep with him is almost as good as lying awake in bed with him.
“We’ll see,” I say with a wink.
He leans in and whispers, “The next time I see you, I’m going to kiss those lips so hard you’ll feel me on your mouth long after I’m gone.”
“You’d better be ready to put your money where your mouth is,” I say confidently as I pivot to walk away.
“Oh, I’m ready,” he announces loudly.
I laugh as I grip my purse and head to the car. I can feel his eyes on me, and I shake my money maker as I walk, hoping he takes notice. I lift my head over my shoulder and sure enough, he’s staring. I laugh all the way to the car and remind myself I need to run every day until I see him again.
Gwen is standing off to the side on her phone, and I hear the tail end of her conversation.
“I know. Me too.” She smiles and mouths “Coop” to me as she points to the phone. “Okay. Maybe… Okay, I will. Bye.”
I smile and we take the rest of the steps to the car together. “He was very cool about the whole thing. He wants me to text him pics of us after we get dolled up.”
This night is just what I need, although inside I’m starting to think I might need Nick too.
I SLEEP HARD for two and a half hours before Gwen and I head to the spa. I spend some significant time telling Gram Ithink she does too much for me. She advises me that spending time with her great-grandchildren is her favorite thing in the world and that I should stop trying to infringe on her quality time with them. She insists they keep her young of mind and heart.
When Gwen and I arrive at the spa, we don’t know what to expect. We’re shocked when we’re treated to a full body massage, manicure, pedicure, make-up, and hair styling, but we never complain. The hairdresser curls my hair into ringlets and makes Gwen’s ultra-shiny, straight, and sexy. We feel like queens as we turn the corner to the dress store.
“H-Hi,” I stutter through a giggle. “I’m not sure if this is real or not, but we supposedly won some sort of thingy, and I was told I needed to just give you my name?”
The girl smiles sweetly. “And your name is…?” she asks.
“Everly Haley and Gwen Bryant.”
“Hmm… I have your names listed as Everly London and Gwen Bryant.”
My posture stiffens. “That’s odd. London’s my maiden name.” I wonder why Gram would have used it and then figured it was a slip of the tongue.
“Oh, no problem. We’ve been waiting for you. We were told you have your pick of dresses and shoes. We have some in the back waiting for you, but you’re welcome to browse the store as well.”
Gwen leans in and asks, “Anything?”
“Yep.” She nods.
Gwen’s lips press into a fine line. “Have you ever done anything like this before?” she asks the girl.
“Umm… no, not me personally. I think it’s really exciting. You two are so lucky!”
Gwen nods her head and my eyes scour the store. I’m worried I may not find anything and wonder if I might end up wearing my mother’s dress again.
Gwen and I walk arm-in-arm straight to the back and I see it. It’s red, one arm is sleeveless while the other is fully covered, and there’s a long slit up the side. It’s beautiful, but I can’t help wondering if my arm will look too flabby in it.
I motion toward it. “Gwen…”
“Ooh, that’s gorgeous. Try it on.”
