CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
We arrange the date for the following Saturday. Gideon simply smiles when I ask him where we’re going, saying he wants to surprise me. I was a little nervous for Lisset’s reaction, but she was super chill, more interested in where Gideon was taking me than anything else.
I brace myself to call Tess. Once she stops shrieking with excitement, the first question she asks me is, “What are you going to wear?”
“I have no idea.”
She starts offering suggestions, but I cut her short. “I’ll figure it out closer to the time.”
“But—”
“I just need to know if you’ll babysit Lisset for me?”
Tess doesn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
“Thanks. That was my biggest concern.”
“Um, not what you’re going to wear?”
“No.”
I’ll probably wear jeans, dress them up with a fancy top. Maybe even throw in a necklace.
In the days leading up to Saturday, I’m outwardly normal. I’m a professional at work. I help Lisset with her homework. I visit my family and hold my own in conversations. But all the while, I’m thinking, Date with Gideon, Date with Gideon . It’s become a bit of a horror mantra. The closer the date, the more anxious I feel.
When last did I go out on a date? I’m a mom who wears sweatpants and hoodies most of the time. At work, I interact more with food than people.
I need help.
[MESSAGES]
Tess: Breaking news! My sister is going on a date and has requested a makeover.
Kenzie: This is so exciting!
Sofia: I’m going to need consent from Kate herself.
Kenzie: It’s not that we don’t trust you, Tess.
Sofia: It’s totally that we don’t trust you.
Tess: Seriously? You think I would do that to Kate?
Tess: Hello?
Tess:
[KATE ADDED TO GROUP CHAT]
Tess: Tell them!!!!
Kate: Kate here. Confirming I’m in over my head and need help.
Sofia: We’ve got you covered.
Kenzie: Help is on the way.
On Saturday morning, Tess and I set off for Sofia’s house, the designated location for my transformation . Tess’s word, not mine. Tess is driving, because she insists I need to be in a relaxed frame of mind for my upcoming date tonight. But when we arrive at Sofia’s house, a cute little bungalow in a leafy, tucked-away area close to Brown Oak’s lake, there’s only one parking space available and my sister will have to parallel park into it.
Ten minutes later, whatever the opposite of relaxed is, I’m it. Times a hundred.
My fingers are itching to take over.
Abruptly, Tess stops the car in the middle of the street and drops her head onto the steering wheel. “I can’t do this,” she wails.
I’m in wholehearted agreement. She cannot parallel park. But I remind myself she’s doing a lot for me today, so I make an effort to be supportive. “Yes, you can.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Why don’t you try again?” I encourage.
“I don’t know how.”
“Just get your angles right.”
“I feel like you’re judging me.”
I can’t hold it in any longer. “I am judging you! Why do you have to go backward and forward so many times?”
“The space is too small.”
I peer at the space in question. It’s not too small. I visited England once and the parking spaces there are ridiculously narrow. Apparently, they were designed when everyone in the country drove Minis.
“Out,” I instruct Tess. “I’ll do it.”
I park the car in one motion.
“Gideon’s going to find your parking skills extremely sexy,” says Tess, “or extremely intimidating.”
Sofia’s home reminds me of a gingerbread house and I think how much Lisset would love it. I wanted her to come with me this morning, secretly hoping her cuteness would draw some of the attention away from me, but Tess insisted this was my time to be pampered. My folks were happy to look after her. She’ll build jigsaw puzzles with my dad and bake cookies with my mom.
Sofia greets me warmly. She’s a gorgeously intimidating woman with smooth dark skin and glossy hair. We follow her deeper into the house to a living room, an open and bright space with an enormous skylight.
Kenzie is already there, kneeling on a thick rug while she sorts through a scary amount of beauty products laid out on a coffee table. Her fine strawberry-blonde hair is gathered in a high ponytail and her pretty, delicate features light up when she sees me. She stands and gives me a friendly hug. “Thank you for letting us do this.” She smells like rose petals.
“I should be thanking you and Sofia and Tess.” Oddly, I don’t mind Kenzie hugging me. For good reason she’s known as Brown Oak’s sweetheart.
I’m slightly overwhelmed that Tess’s closest friends have happily given up their Saturday for me. Sofia has even kicked her husband out of the house for the day.
They position me on an overstuffed couch and Kenzie brings me a hot, strong latte. My makeover is a multi-agency operation. Kenzie is the department of makeup, Sofia heads up hair, and Tess is in charge of nails. Clothing, I’m told, will be a collaborative effort.
I sip my coffee and eye the delectable box of Belgian chocolate on the table. My absolute weakness.
Tess follows my gaze and frowns. “Chocolate causes you to break out.”
“Is this true?” Sofia demands.
“Unfortunately, yes,” I reply.
She snaps her fingers. “Remove temptation, please.”
“On it.” Before I have a chance to blink, Kenzie has whipped away the chocolate box and replaced it with a fruit platter.
“We can’t have you breaking out on your date,” Sofia says.
“Any makeup preferences?” Kenzie asks me.
I shrug. “Not really. As long as I don’t look like I’m charging Gideon by the hour.”
Sofia lets out a deep, throaty laugh, like she’s knocked back a whiskey shot and her throat is ready for another one. “This confirms why I’ve always liked you, Kate.”
“Smoky eyes?” Tess suggests.
Sofia shakes her head. “Too harsh.”
“I’m thinking a dusty pink lipstick,” Kenzie muses.
Sofia rests a perfectly manicured nail on her bottom lip. “Look at her olive skin. Gorgeous.”
Kenzie nibbles her bottom lip. “She’ll only need the lightest blush on those high cheekbones.”
A sigh drifts out of Tess. “I’ve always loved Kate’s cheekbones.”
“I feel like a mannequin,” I grumble good-naturedly.
Kenzie smiles at me. “All you have to do is enjoy being pampered. There’s not much for us to do here.”
Tess studies me. “What about a nose ring?”
My head jerks. “What?”
Kenzie gently swats Tess’s arm. “Stop scaring your sister.”
“But it’s so much fun,” Tess maintains, totally unrepentant.
They get to work, Tess filing and painting my nails, Sofia styling my hair into soft waves, and Kenzie performing her magic on my face.
Their conversation swirls around me while they work. They have a way of finishing each other’s sentences and leaping from one topic to the next with startling ease. They make it a point to include me in their discussions, filling me in on details if I don’t know the context.
I feel a pinch in my chest. I never understood Tess’s loyalty to her friends. The almost sacred tradition of their Wednesday night get-togethers. But this circle of besties care deeply about one another and make no effort to hide it. They’ve seen each other at their best and worst and love each other anyway.
I had close friends at school, a few in college, but they all fell away when I married Oliver. I’ve been telling myself for so long that I don’t want or need friends, but now I wonder if I’ve been missing out all these years.
“What are you planning to wear tonight?” Kenzie asks me.
“Jeans and a nice blouse.”
Tess looks pained. “Isn’t that what you wear for work?”
I shift uncomfortably. “Pretty much.”
“You might want to wear something different for a date,” Sofia recommends.
Kenzie clasps her hands together. “A dress would look beautiful on you.”
My lips twist. I’ve worn only one dress since the end of my marriage. A pretty but casual maxi dress that I slipped on at the last minute for a family lunch at my parents’ house. I remember the stunned and admiring look on Gideon’s face when he saw me.
I haven’t had the courage to wear another one since.
It takes me a moment to get my words out. “I don’t know if any of my dresses will still fit me.”
“Of course they’ll fit you,” Tess responds in surprise. “You’re practically the same size you’ve always been.”
She doesn’t understand. Physically, yes, I might be the same size, but it feels as though my shape has changed. The new version of Kate carries too many hard edges, sharp lines, and rough corners. She’s no longer the carefree woman who moved so easily and freely in those dresses.
Kenzie offers me a gentle smile, somehow understanding the turmoil inside me. “A dress will still fit you, Kate. You might have changed, but dresses are forgiving. And sometimes we wear them to change how we feel inside.”
Sofia touches my arm lightly. “I have a dress that will suit you perfectly.”
After a brief, whispered consultation with Kenzie and Tess, Sofia disappears, then returns holding a steel-blue, sleeveless midi dress with a V-neck.
I run my fingers over the soft material. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Try it on,” Tess urges.
I hesitate only briefly. I suppose it won’t do any harm. They discreetly turn their backs while I shimmy into the dress. It hugs me perfectly.
Tess does a circling motion with her fingers, and I obligingly perform a slow twirl.
“It’s like that dress was made for you,” Kenzie observes breathlessly.
“Sofia, this looks expensive,” I say, torn. “I can’t—”
“You can and you will,” she informs me in a tone that brooks no argument.
Then she deposits a pair of stunning Jimmy Choos on the floor in front of me. “The finishing touch, Cinderella.”
I stare in trepidation at the expensive shoes. They’re a treat I haven’t allowed myself in a long time. “They look like weapons.”
Sofia smirks. “Oh, they’re weapons all right. Your man will be completely defenseless against them.”
My response is automatic. “He’s not my man.”
Sofia arches an eyebrow. “He will be after he sees you in these.”
Kenzie giggles. “Don’t mind her. She’s incorrigible.”
“Sofia—” I begin, but she knows exactly where I’m going and holds up a hand to halt the rest of my sentence.
“You’ll make me so happy if you wear them,” she says simply.
Who can argue with that? I hold my breath as I carefully slide my feet into the shoes. A comfortable fit. It seems almost impossible that both the dress and shoes fit so perfectly, but there’s a knowing look in Kenzie’s eyes, as if she’s not at all surprised by this magical development.
They lead me to a full-length mirror in the hallway. I stare at the woman in the mirror. She’s me and yet not me. A sexy shimmer highlights my eyes and cheekbones. My hair is soft and silky, curling on my shoulders like an invitation. Silver hoops accentuate my jawline.
A dazed smile takes over my face.
“Now do you see what we see?” Kenzie asks me softly, her eyes sparkling.
“You look lovely,” Tess says, her voice cracking.
Sofia gives a satisfied nod. “Beautiful.”
It’s not only that I look different, I also feel different. Softer, more alluring. A blend of sophistication and feminine charm.
And it’s not just due to the clothes and hair and makeup, it’s the kindness and sweetness of these amazing women, who genuinely want me to feel good about myself.
I’m awed and humbled.
Maybe there are more people in the world like this than there are people like Oliver. The Olivers of the world who can only feel good about themselves if they make others feel terrible, who can only feel big by making others feel small.
In contrast, these women want to rise with me. This is what a friendship ought to look like. It would be a privilege to count these incredible women as friends.
A pressure burns behind my eyes. “Thank you, ladies. I feel overwhelmed and grateful. You gave up hours of your time to help me and I know how precious time is.” I swallow. “Thank you.”
“It’s not just that this time was spent on you,” Kenzie corrects me with a smile. “It was also spent with you. We enjoy your company, Kate.”
A teary-eyed Tess nods in agreement.
One of the traits I love about my sister is that she’s not possessive about her friendships. She doesn’t feel threatened by Sofia or Kenzie wanting to spend time with me. She’s generous like that, and I have a sudden, blinding revelation of just how sweet and special she is.
I remember when we were younger Tess used to sneak into my room and lie on the bed with me. We’d talk late into the night about school, boys, and our parents not understanding us.
I miss our time together. Why did we stop talking and sharing? Abruptly, I realize it wasn’t Tess who stopped coming into my room; it was me closing the door on her.
“I think I’m ready for a group hug,” I choke out.
Tess’s whole face lights up and she launches herself at me, ignoring Sofia’s warning shriek, “Don’t ruin the hair and makeup!”
“I thought you would never ask,” my sister whispers into my ear.
I return her hug, savoring her closeness. Sofia and Kenzie move in and wrap their arms around us. I close my eyes and hold this new, precious feeling of budding friendships tightly to my chest.