by Jenny Hale
* * *
Abbey hadn’t even known this shop was here—she’d never been down to Carytown for anything more than an ice cream or a ninety-nine-cent movie. Most of the shops here, while amazing, were completely out of her price range. She stood in the pristine dressing room, staring at the wooden hangers with the brass hooks that held a perfectly tailored pair of navy wool trousers and a matching blazer with a silky white top that Nick had picked out for her.
She slowly slipped off her jeans and sweater and tried them on, still unsure, immediately noticing how they felt against her. They fit like they’d been sewn together to match just her body. She slid on the coordinating high heels and looked in the mirror at the person staring back at her. Her reflection didn’t look a thing like her, and it startled her. Was this the kind of girl Nick dated? Was this what he’d want her to look like if they ever got together? He’d picked it out after all. She tried to imagine a time when she’d feel normal in clothes like these. Would they grow on her like the ballroom had? The trouble was, the ballroom was just a space, whereas how she dressed was a representation of who she was, and this wasn’t who she was at all. She ran her fingers through her hair and then dug around in her handbag for her powder and lip-gloss. She freshened up her makeup and fluffed out her hair.
“Or there’s this,” she heard from the other side, and Nick’s hand appeared above the dressing room door, a green dress in his hand. A shoebox slid toward her on the floor through the open space under the stall.
She took the dress from his hand and hung it up, then opened the door to show him the first outfit. There was a visible reaction and his eyes slid from her face down to her feet. “That’s…” he looked back up at her, “really nice.” He swallowed and handed her a pair of navy teardrop earrings. “These would go with that if you decide to get it.”
“Do you want me to try the dress on, or do you like this?” While beautiful, none of it was her style anyway, so it was up to him.
“It’s what you like. Get what makes you comfortable.” He cleared his throat, clearly still affected by how she looked. “But, yes,” he smiled. “I’d like to see you in the green dress.” His eyes moved around her body one more time, and she couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious.
She went back into the dressing room. As she took off the suit and hung it up, she noticed the price tag on the blazer and nearly fell over. One thousand eight hundred ninety dollars? She grabbed the tag on the trousers. One thousand seven hundred ninety-five. She didn’t bother to look at the shirt. There was no way she was going to let him buy something like this for her. She slipped on her Chuck Taylors and opened the door.
“The dress didn’t fit?” he asked, but she didn’t answer. She was still in a daze, trying to figure out if people really paid that kind of money for clothes when she waited for the thirty percent coupons to come in the mail so she could apply them to a twenty-dollar top at her local mall shops.
“I didn’t try it on…” she said, still thinking.
“You’re going with the blue then? Good choice.”
She attempted to push away her growing worry, willing herself to focus on the conversation. “Um… No. I’m not getting either… They’re so expensive…” she nearly whispered.
“Well, it’s Gucci. Of course it costs more than an average brand. It’s well worth it.”
She remembered how the fabrics felt against her skin, how perfectly they’d fit, and she knew he was right, but she couldn’t bring herself to make him spend that on her.
“It’s fine,” he assured her.
She shook her head. “No. It’s not fine at all.”
He looked at his watch. “I’d suggest going somewhere else, but we’re running out of time. We only have about twenty-five minutes. You looked amazing in the blue, but if you want to wear what you have on, I’d be just as happy sitting beside you.”
“Would you? Or are you just saying that?” She looked back at the outfit still hanging in the dressing room. It really was beautiful, but she was paralyzed by the price. She just couldn’t let him pay that much for something that she’d never wear again.
“Sarah loved this shop, so I thought since you needed to dress up that perhaps this would be a shop you might like as well. I didn’t want you to feel out of place wearing your regular clothes, that’s all.”
“I’m not Sarah,” she said. “At all, in any way.”
“I know, but—”
She cut him off. “And you thought I’d feel out of place?” Or was it that he felt I was out of place in what I have on? she worried.
“I just want you to be comfortable,” he said. “It’s a dressy occasion.”
“Well, I’m not. I’m not comfortable in a fancy restaurant in jeans but I’m also not comfortable in what you’ve picked out.”
“Well, which makes you the least uncomfortable then?” he asked.
She didn’t have an answer.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I’ll buy it and when we’re done today, we’ll sell it online and donate the profits to your favorite charity. Would that make you feel better?”
“Okay,” she said, still feeling uneasy about wearing it in the first place.
“Good.” He took the shoes, earrings, suit, and top up to the register. “We’ll have these, please,” he said to the salesperson. “And then if you could assist Miss Fuller with the tags so that she can change immediately, that would be fantastic.”
“Yes, sir,” the salesperson said, her black hair straight as an arrow, a scarf tied around her neck in a small knot at the side. She looked over at Abbey and smiled, clearly working overtime to keep her eyes from appraising Abbey’s current attire.
“And please offer Miss Fuller any of the cosmetics that she may need,” he said as he pointed at the makeup options displayed along the back wall. “You can put them on my bill.”
Was there something wrong with her makeup?
Nick turned to Abbey. “I’ll wait up front.” He grabbed a navy handbag off the shelf nearby and set it on the counter before leaving. “That too.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“What do you think this big news is?” Abbey asked as Nick stood by her side of the car, holding the door open for her. He reached out and offered his hand to help her step over a small pile of snow in her heels.
“There’s no telling with her,” he said. “She has a very unique personality. She’s extremely outspoken, which is funny, because my dad was always more reserved… You know, she really likes you. She told me about a hundred times.”
“Why would she?” She didn’t mean the question to come out like that. “What I meant was, what in particular does she like so much about me? She and I are so different.”
They walked together between a pair of giant evergreen shrubs in pots, their limbs cut in a spiral shape and covered in white lights. They stepped under the long awning that had “The Jefferson” in curly gold writing on the front, each side of their path lined with red poinsettias. The doorman opened the door for them.
Nick nodded his thanks to the doorman and then answered, “I think it’s because you both are sort of no-nonsense in your own ways. She liked your honesty and transparency. You are always yourself no matter what is put in front of you. I like that about you too.”
They entered the lobby of the hotel, and Abbey stopped walking. Nick looked over to her to see what was wrong and then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him smile and wait for her to take in the amazing view surrounding her.
The entire room, as big as a sports field, was surrounded by balconies, their edges draped in fresh greenery, their railings anchored by large, marble columns. There were so many poinsettias that it would take all night to count them. The marble floors were covered in an enormous rug, small seating areas arranged along the edges. And in the center a twenty-eight-foot Christmas tree that stretched all the way up to the stained-glass dome above it. Every inch of the tree was covered in traditional ornaments and white
lights.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, having difficulty keeping her emotions in check. They moved from the red carpet runner leading up the stairs to the piles of Christmas greenery on the railings going up. She let her gaze wander the two floors and marble columns, the detail and ornamentation on every surface.
“Yes. Very beautiful,” he said, but he was looking down at her.
He ushered her forward and they walked toward the restaurant. The marble floors gave way to hardwoods, the round columns turning square and in front of her, in the ornate style of a cathedral, was a bar, the lighting illuminating the edges in a gold glow. The stools with burgundy padded seats were perfectly lined along the front of it, and it almost looked like a piece of art. They walked past it into the dining room where Susan was standing and waving ceaselessly.
Every table was covered in white linens, the chairs a burnt orange to match the drapes and rug covering the hardwoods. Chandeliers dripped down from the ceiling in various places. Abbey’s eyes followed the ornate moldings around the windows and the ceiling. A huge fireplace sat at one end of the room, the mantle covered in candles and more greenery, the wall-sized mirror above it reflecting its light.
Nick guided Abbey to the table where she met Robin, James, Thomas, Caroline, and a man she’d never met before. Thomas was sitting quietly, his hands in his lap, his hair perfectly combed to the side while James was playing “I Spy” with him. Susan walked around the table to greet them, kissing them both on each cheek. She held Abbey’s hands and pulled her arms out by her sides.
“You look fantastic!” she said to Abbey.
“Thank you.” Abbey smiled, feeling a little like an imposter in those clothes. She was glad they’d already met the real her because she surely didn’t feel herself dressed like this.
“She looks like a runway model, Nick,” Susan said, her eyebrows jumping up and down in excitement. “Come! Sit! I am bursting at the seams!”
They sat down and Nick eyed the man across from him, a slight crease forming between his eyes. He smiled politely at him and held out his hand across the table. “I’m Nick Sinclair, Susan’s son.”
“Hello,” he nodded, shaking Nick’s hand. “I’m Carl Simmons.”
“And you know… my mother?”
“Yes!” Susan butted in. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.” She held up a finger to one of the wait staff and he brought over a bottle of champagne, uncorked it with an echoing pop, filled champagne glasses, and then set the bottle inside a silver bucket at the end of the table.
Abbey politely took the glass she was offered.
When the waiter had disappeared, Susan continued. “Carl and I have known each other for quite some time. Last month, he proposed.” She held up her hand and turned it around so everyone could view the boulder of a diamond she had hanging off her ring finger. “So, I wanted you all to meet him.”
Everyone burst into an excited chatter at once, congratulating them and smiling, toasting, and drinking champagne. Nick followed along with everyone, but Abbey could tell there were thoughts in his eyes. He seemed genuinely happy for her, but he was thinking about something else too.
When the food was served and they’d broken into smaller conversations, Abbey whispered to Nick, “What are you thinking about?” He’d been quietly listening, nodding at the right moments, and smiling, but there was something on his mind.
“It’s nothing.” He pushed around his grilled chicken gouda cavatappi—she’d heard him say it and she’d asked for the same since she’d had no idea what to order.
“It’s something, I can tell.”
“I miss my father,” he said in her ear.
It was a very honest piece of information, and it made her feel closer to him. She reached under the table and put her hand on his.
“Things keep moving farther away from him. I feel like I’m the last person to keep his memory alive. Everyone else seems to be going along just fine without him.”
Caroline seemed to notice their conversation, and Abbey wondered by the look on her face if she’d heard it. She, too, looked like she was contemplating something, but she only smiled when their eyes met.
After dinner, they had drinks at the bar in the hotel, so they moved to a more casual location, allowing Susan to float around the bar and chat with everyone. She came up behind Nick and put her arm around his waist, her cheeks rosy from the champagne at dinner.
“Are you okay with this?” Susan asked. She sipped the red wine that she’d gotten at the bar. “I know how you feel about your father.”
“I just miss him.”
“Well, you know you’re a grown man. Carl wouldn’t dare try to take the place of your father. He’s simply a friend to you. And he’d do anything for you.”
“He seems very kind,” he said. “I’m happy to see you get so much attention. You deserve it. I know my father wasn’t always the most attentive husband.”
“No,” she agreed. “But he loved his children.” She smiled and took a large drink of her wine.
Robin poked her head into the conversation. “Pardon,” she said with an unknowing smile, cutting through the seriousness of the last minute. “I wanted to catch Abbey. Can we finalize the party details on Monday? The chef is going to have us all taste-test his dishes.”
“Yes,” Abbey said with a smile. “And we also still need to finalize the favors and music. I know we were down to only a few choices.”
“Abbey is coming to the party, right?” Nick’s mother asked. “She’d better. Nick, have you asked her? If not, get with it, son!” she teased.
Nick looked down at Abbey, rearranging his lips to keep his smile from emerging. “Would you like to come to the party rather than sitting upstairs in your room?”
“Okay,” she said with an unsure smile. She wasn’t sure if he’d only asked her because he was prompted, or if he’d already planned to ask her. But she knew that she wanted to be with Nick despite their obstacles, and this would give her yet another chance to spend time with him before he left for New York.
“Max can come down too. I’m letting Thomas stay up for it. You won’t have to arrange childcare or anything.”
“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.”
“Speaking of Max,” Nick looked at his watch. “We should probably get you back to your car.” He walked over and shook hands with Carl and James, then he kissed each of the ladies on the cheek. “We must be going, but we’ll see you back at home shortly.”
They said their goodbyes and walked out into the bright sunlight, the sky an electric blue against the snow on the ground. It looked like the storms were finally departing. Then they got in and Nick started the car, the seat warmers giving Abbey shivers with their heat as they pushed the chill out of her.
“Thank you for taking me today,” Abbey said. “It was very nice, although I don’t think you needed me.” She grinned playfully at him.
“Actually, I did. It made me feel more comfortable hearing the news that my mother was moving on with her life. I handled it better knowing you were beside me.” He looked over at her and then back at the road.
Abbey felt her heart lurch.
“I enjoyed it,” she said.
“I’m glad.”
They drove quietly until they pulled in to Max’s school. She thanked Nick for the wonderful lunch and told him she’d see him back at the house. He got out and opened her door. As she exited the car and stood beside the open door, he grabbed her hands and looked down at her.
“I was thinking about New York while we were driving,” he admitted.
She waited for what he had to say.
“You can stay with me if you decide to decorate Robin’s home. Are you considering it?”
She nodded, her mind going back to the feeling of waking up beside him.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said with a smile. “I’ll see you back at the house.” Without warning, he leaned down and kissed her lips. “Bye, Abbey.” He jogged ar
ound to his side of the car and got in.
With a ridiculous grin, she went in to get Max in her five-thousand-dollar outfit.
Max was holding his craft stick birdhouse and an envelope with holly he’d colored all over the outside. “What’s that?” Abbey pointed to the sealed envelope. She loved hearing about the things he’d made at school.
“It’s a secret,” he said, his face animated.
“So you can’t tell me?”
He shook his head. “It has my secret Christmas wish in it.”
“Oh!” Abbey was itching to know what Max’s secret Christmas wish was. This was supposed to be his big Christmas, the one to top all others. It would be wonderful if she could make that secret wish come true. What else did Max want? “Will you ever tell it to me?” she asked.
“I have to wait and see if I get it for Christmas first. Then, after Christmas, I’ll tell it to you.”
“Deal,” she said, thinking of ways to steam open the envelope.
Max hugged it to his chest as he walked to the car. The snow was starting to melt, making the curbside drain sound like a waterfall from all the melting ice. Max climbed into his booster seat and fastened his seatbelt.
“I’m so glad Nick came to my school today,” he said as they drove home.
“I’m glad too. You know he flew back from Chicago just for you! He took a very late flight so he could get to school like he’d said he would.”
“I like him so much.”
She smiled. “Me too.” She looked at Max in her rearview mirror and she thought how lucky she was to have had Nick there today. He’d made Max a happy boy.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It was early. Max was still sound asleep in the bed and Abbey’s stomach was growling. Slowly, she climbed out from under the covers and padded over to get her robe and slippers, then left the room to get something to eat. The house was eerily quiet as she made her way down the stairs. They were solid, not a creak at all.
