907 For Keeps Way (Cherry Falls)

“What do you think?” Haley asks. “We’ve narrowed it down to the jade and the blush set of bangles.” She holds both up in the air. “Your pick.”

“That’s nice since I’ll be wearing them,” I tease.

“You know what? I’m going with the pink bangles.” Anna slides the jade bracelet off Haley’s arm. “You’re right, Hay.”

Haley nods. “That’s settled then.”

“So you two agree, and I don’t get a say?” I laugh. “That seems wrong.”

Anna puts the jade bracelet back in the jewelry box. “I don’t mean this to be mean, Mom, but that’s what we’re saying.” She turns around and faces me. “You don’t have the best fashion sense.”

“And you do? The girl who asked me to pay over one hundred dollars for a half of a pair of jeans?”

Anna rolls her eyes.

“A half a pair of jeans?” Haley laughs. “What is that all about?”

“Have you been shopping lately?” I ask. “It’s either Mom jeans up to your boobs or jeans that look like they’ve been attacked by a Grizzly bear.”

Haley’s laugh grows louder.

“Mom.” Anna sighs. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“What? That’s what they look like, Haley. If you added up the denim left—that you wanted me to spend that kind of money on—you couldn’t cover your crotch.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t get the jeans?” Haley asks Anna.

Anna pouts. “No. And she wouldn’t let me spend the money I earned at Cherry Pie Pizza on them either.”

“Consider it a favor,” I tell her.

I get off the bed. My reflection shines back at me from my full-length mirror.

A pair of dark denim jeans that Anna declared out of style over the slim fit are paired with a black lace camisole. A thin, cream-colored cardigan that Haley says is not necessary but makes me feel more me covers my shoulders. The only thing we all agreed on—the leopard-print mules—ties it all together.

“You look so pretty, Mom,” Anna says, coming up behind me.

I reach over and cup her chin in my hand. “Thanks, baby girl.”

She smiles. “Any chance you can take me to Johanna’s before you leave?”

“No, Anna, I can’t,” I say, taking the bangles from Haley. “Dane should be here in a few minutes, and I want to be here.”

“Her mom can’t come and get me. How else am I supposed to get there?”

“I don’t know. Maybe just stay home tonight. It wouldn’t be that awful.”

Anna sighs dramatically.

“I’ll take you,” Haley says. “Let’s make sure your mama doesn’t need anything else before we go.”

I look at my friend. “Thank you. I owe you.”

“Hardly,” she says, scoffing. “This is all my pleasure. You going on a date is the best thing to happen to me this week.”

I laugh, pulling her into a quick hug. “That doesn’t speak well for Grayson.”

“I’m keeping this PG-rated for your daughter,” she whispers in my ear. Pulling back, she giggles. “Do you need anything else from me? You look great.”

My hands run down my thighs as I turn toward the mirror again. Strangely, I feel great. I feel like I look great. I just hope that this whole thing goes great.

Haley helped me with my makeup, going a little thicker on the lashes at Anna’s request. My blush is pink, my lips more glossy than colored. My eye shadow is a couple of shades darker than my natural color. It’s an amplified version of what I look like on a normal day, and I appreciate that.

I just hope Dane does too.

The thought of the handsome personal trainer makes my stomach twist, and I look at my friend and daughter.

“What?” Haley says.

“Is this whole thing stupid? Should I back out—”

“What? No. Hard no,” Haley says.

“Why would you do that, Mom?”

I look at my sweet daughter. Sure, she can be a pain in my ass some—most—days, but she’s easily the best thing that I’ve ever done. I want to exude confidence for her, to show her what a strong woman looks like. But how I feel right now—nervous, unsure, in need of a friend’s advice—I want her to know that it’s okay to feel like this too. That vulnerability and asking for help when you need it is normal human behavior.

“I just haven’t dated in a while,” I tell Anna. “The thought makes me a little skittish.”

“Well, I haven’t dated ever, thanks to you.” She raises a brow my way. “But if Dane McDaniels asked me out, I’d say yes.”

“The hell you would,” Haley cuts in.

“He’s old enough to be your father,” I tell Anna. “So enough of that.”

She rolls her eyes. “What I mean, Mother, is that he’s super cute. I don’t know how to date, but I’d give it a shot for a guy like that. One who’s my own age. Obviously.” She sighs as if I’m dense.

“Yes. Your own age,” Haley says, nodding. “Anyway, you’re going to have fun. Dane is a nice guy. Super cute, as your mini-you put it.” She grins at Anna. “He’s a gentleman. What could go wrong?”