with anyone, but I understand their need for privacy.
The biggest reason my mom insisted on going dress shopping and splurging on an expensive dress I’ll probably never wear again, is because deep down, she hopes if I build a life here, I might stay once my dad is back on his feet. The way her hand always grabs mine tight whenever we’re together and she tears up when I talk about going back to Washington, it’s clear she wants me close.
After practically a fashion show of trying on almost every dress in the store, we settled on a V-neck off-the-shoulder navy gown. At first glance, the full floor-length skirt looked like any other dress, but there was a long slit that ran up to the middle of my left thigh if I stood just so. I paired the dress with glittery navy Louboutin heels and diamond drop earrings. My mother’s hair and makeup team were here earlier to work their magic, and I ended up with a sultry smoky eye and my long dark hair split down the middle and pulled into a stylish yet simple ponytail that reached to my midback. I’d opted not to wear anything around my neck to showcase the cut of the dress and my décolletage.
As I stare back at myself in the full-length bedroom mirror, I realize I haven’t felt this beautiful in a long time. My gut twists with worry that by the end of the evening I won’t feel the same as I do right now. I’m not sure putting this much effort into my date with Garrin will pay off.
This might be the same as when he hires his dates. No big deal for him, so when he shows up, he’ll look at me and think I’m crazy for putting so much work in and that I obviously think too much of our date. What if he sees me and thinks I’m some crazy woman? Worse, what if he changes his mind and cancels at the last minute? He’s clearly wishy-washy when it comes to me. His mood changes faster than a toddler’s.
All this negative self-talk threatens to overtake my good mood, so I use some of the mental tricks my therapist taught me to move past it. First, I inhale a deep breath and envision one of those things happening. What is really the worst outcome? I’ve been through worse public humiliation than being stood up by Garrin Stone. It would be his loss, not mine, and I’m sure he’s done so to numerous women before me. They’ve all gotten through it, and I’m strong enough to as well.
I open my eyes and glance at the time, seeing it’s already five-forty. I slide everything I’ll need for the night into my purse and leave the serenity of my bedroom. I wish I’d left more time to spend with dad before I leave, but everything took longer than I expected it to.
I knock gently on my parents’ bedroom door and push it open.
My mom sits on the edge of the bed, holding my dad’s hand. She looks over her shoulder and springs up like I caught her doing something she shouldn’t. My throat dries as I watch her turn away, her sniffle like a neon sign announcing that she was crying.
Dread weighs me down like cement bricks as I step further into the room. “What’s going on?”
“Nada. Come here and let me see you, tesoro.” My dad’s voice is much weaker than earlier this morning.
My mom faces me when I reach the bed. “Oh, darling, you look absolutely beautiful. I knew that was the right dress.”
I force a small smile and look at my father. “Are you feeling okay?”
He coughs for almost a full minute and I wait patiently while he catches his breath. “I’m fine, I’m fine. You worry too much.” He motions me forward, and I bend down and kiss his cheek. “This man taking you out tonight—he’s a good man to you?”
How do I answer that? Certainly not with the truth. Tell my father the man doesn’t know what he truly wants and I’m unsure why he asked me to go to the gala in the first place? He’d get himself out of bed or summon Garrin to come up to his room for a talking-to. My father has enough to worry about, so I remain silent while I think of something that isn’t a lie.
“Garrin Stone is one of the most eligible bachelors in Cherry Creek,” my