I picked up a fork from the tray, pausing before I dug into the sweet-smelling goodness.
“Atlas,” I said, and his gaze flicked to mine. “You’re not my host. If anything, you’re my landlord now.” I cocked my head to the side, frowning. “But besides that, I’d like you to be…my friend.”
He had already taken a bite of food and slowed his chewing. He swallowed. His brows raised slightly. “I’d like that.”
I beamed. “Friends, then.”
He nodded, his expression tense, but not totally unfriendly. “Friends.”
“Damn, girl. You look gorgeous!” Ellie touched the soft ends of my newly styled hair.
I couldn’t control my grin as we walked down Main Street toward her sister’s boutique, running my hands through my hair. It was so soft and smooth. I flipped it over my shoulder.
I felt like a new person. Refreshed. Lighter, somehow, though I’d only gotten a trim. The woman who owned the salon was extremely friendly and happy to pamper Ellie and me. She worked wonders getting rid of my awful brunette dye job, and my blonde hair gleamed in the sunlight.
“Mariam did an amazing job,” I said.
Ellie examined her fresh manicure with a satisfied smile. “She’s the best. My mama and her used to be close friends growing up, so I’ve gone to her almost all my life. Wouldn’t trust anyone else with these locks.” She winked as she fluffed her long, brown tresses.
The salon was totally full-service, offering everything from haircuts to massages, and Ellie had gotten some kind of mask treatment that left her hair gleaming and smooth as silk.
We came up to a small, trendy storefront. Stylishly dressed mannequins stood in the window, surrounded by cute potted plants and macrame decorations hanging in the background. A hand-carved sign above the entrance read, “Southern Sunshine Boutique.”
A joyful little bell chimed as Ellie opened the door and we stepped inside. Cold air rushed over me, cooling the sheen from the humid summer day. The shop was small but filled to the brim with racks of clothing and shelves of shoes and accessories. My eyes darted in every direction. All the clothing was adorable: long, flowy dresses with lace trim, denim pieces with embroidered details, strappy sandals, and a multitude of graphic T-shirts. Everything attracted my eye.
“Ellie May!” a soft, melodic voice called as a tall woman rushed toward us from behind the counter.
Ellie laughed, stretching her arms wide and circling them around the woman’s waist. “Hey, sis. How are you?”
Ellie’s sister was a good head taller than Ellie, but they shared the same thick, dark hair and big blue eyes.
“Keeping busy. There’s a bit of a lull now, but I’ve been steady. People seem to like the place.” Her face absolutely beamed, and I couldn’t help but smile for her.
“That’s amazing.” Ellie gestured to me. “This is my friend Wren. She’s new in Cypress Falls. Wren, this is my sister Faye.”
Faye grinned, showing off her straight, white teeth. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
I nodded. “You too. Your store is lovely.”
Faye tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. It was cut shorter than Ellie’s and it framed her face perfectly. “Thank you so much. Please, have a look around. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”
Faye turned back to Ellie, and they chatted for a while as I perused the inventory. Faye had great taste in fashion. It was different from the type of clothes I’d seen Ellie wear. Ellie seemed more vibrant in her clothing choices and in her beauty. She didn’t flaunt herself, but she didn’t hide it either. Faye had more of a subtleness to her, a quiet graceful beauty, and it showed in her elegant, boho-inspired pieces.
And apparently, I liked that vibe because before I knew it, my arms were laden with clothes I wanted to try on.
Ellie let out a low whistle when she saw my haul. “You’re not holding back on this shopping spree, huh?” Her eyes sparkled with delight and not an ounce of judgment.
I shrugged. “I haven’t been shopping in a while,” I admitted. I basically needed a whole new wardrobe, and even though I probably should have set the money aside for next month’s rent, I gave myself permission to splurge. Just this once. I’d had a really good week at the grill.
Ellie and I spent hours trying on different outfits and dresses. We were having so much fun and as my “to buy” pile grew, something suddenly clicked into place. I hadn’t been shopping for myself in years. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d picked out my own clothes. That small, seemingly insignificant detail of picking out clothes I loved hit me with a force I wasn’t prepared for. It was as if I took back a piece of myself I’d lost.
I stood in the dressing room, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. I saw a girl who’d just gained some perspective on who she had been, and who she was becoming. And I liked the girl she was beginning to discover. Sudden tears sprang to my eyes.
Ellie banged on the door, snapping me out of my self-reflection. “Do you have it on yet? I want to see!”
I cleared my throat. The swimsuit I was currently wearing looked nice. It was a stylish two-piece with a high halter top that covered the bite mark on my chest. Blinking away any inkling of a tear, I opened the dressing room door.
Ellie gasped. “Oh my God. Wren, it’s perfect! I freaking love it!”