Lydia laughs as she brings me a gorgeous dress. If it doesn’t fit I’ll die. “Is this going to fit? Don’t tease me.”
“Ah, don’t be so negative. It will fit.”
“It better,” I mumble.
I step into the dress and a small tug gets it up over my hips. I’m able to get it zipped all the way up, thank you yoga. Then I turn, eyes squeezed tight. One deep breath before I open them. Oh, I love it. It’s an illusion dress in a blush pink with bright flowers from over one breast all the way down to the hem. From the way it hugs my curves to the way the color sets off my skin tone, oh yeah, Dante will love this on me.
Opening the door, I’m not even out of the room before Alicia is sighing her happiness. “Can I take a picture?”
“Ugh, no. Stop being weird. You know I hate pictures.” I loathe pictures, always have. I have never taken a selfie, ever.
“Please, pretty please.” She has her phone clutched in her hand. Dang it, I hate telling her no and at least she asked.
“Fine.”
“Bethany, come on, one smile won’t kill you.” I roll my eyes before I smile.
“Yay, thank you. Okay, get changed. I’m starving, time for food.”
“Thank god, I’m starving too. I thought this was going to take an hour, tops.” I carefully step out of the dress.
“Quit whining, it was worth it.”
“Maybe. I’m trying really hard not to think of the actual cost of this trip.”
“Whatever, this isn’t bad.”
Lydia laughs. “My last client spent this much in the first half hour. You guys crack me up. Give me ten minutes, I’m going to have this rung up then fix a time for them to deliver it. What time works for you, Bethany?”
“I don’t know. It’s almost one now. After lunch Alicia talked about going to another store for lingerie, what, another hour? Five o’clock?”
“Five it is. I’ll be right back.”
We’re in the back of Goldfinches, which usually doesn’t open until the evening. There is only one other table occupied, on almost the other side of the massive room. “Why are we back here?”
Alicia blushes, and Lydia laughs. “Because Alicia is a Sabatini. They put the people whose asses are to be firmly kissed back here. Don’t question it too much, enjoy it. Okay, it’s time to give up the goods on you and Dante. How is it going?”
Alicia’s eyebrows go up. “I’ve been dying to ask.”
Great, I’m blushing so hard I’m starting to get lightheaded. “It’s going... I don’t know, pretty awesome even though we haven’t, you know.”
“Are you serious?” Alicia exclaims. Crap, I’m glad they put us back here.
“Shh, god. I mean we’ve done...” I’m not saying it out loud. “Stuff. Only not that. I wasn’t happy about it, believe me. I was pissed for two straight days but ugh, if you guys tell him I will never speak to you again. Same thing for telling Cesare. He was right. Despite wanting to tear his clothes off and drag him down to the nearest flat surface, this going slower thing, I don’t know... I’m not terrified slash excited anymore. I’m still a little worried I won’t be as good as what he’s used to and he’ll be disappointed. But, I’m more at ease and comfortable with all of it and him. We also—I don’t know how to say it exactly—it feels like we are a we, not just Dante and me. Am I making any sense?” I rub my face, freaked by saying it out loud, wondering if I sound like an idiot. Alicia sniffles. “Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m so happy.” She wails.
Oh lord. “Don’t, please don’t. Whatever you’re thinking, don’t say it either. It’s not like that, yet, I think. I don’t know, just don’t.”
Lydia giggles. “You two Jeffries are better than any telenovela minus the amnesia.”
“Not helping,” I mutter as the waitress sets our plates down. “Alicia, will you please stop crying?”
She nods but doesn’t stop. “It might be the baby’s fault.”
“Don’t blame my niece for this. You always cry when you’re happy. But if you don’t stop I’m stealing a mozzarella stick.”
A gasp and the tears stop instantly. “Do it and you lose a finger.”