29. Makenna
Makenna
Malcolm asked me to the gala. It had crossed my mind when he mentioned it was happening, but I never dreamed he would ask me to go. How in the world does he not have a girlfriend or at the very least someone to go with him?
I sit up in bed, anxious to see Malcolm before he goes to work.
I slept late, and now there isn’t much time before he leaves.
I’ll be sad to go home and not see him every day.
It’s crazy how important he’s become to me in such a short amount of time.
And how just as quickly I’ll be gone and probably won’t see him again.
I get ready and go downstairs. Malcolm isn’t there. I check, and his car’s outside. I walk halfway up the stairs and see that his door is closed. How hadn’t I noticed that before?
I check the time. He needs to leave in less than an hour.
I go to the cupboard and pull out eggs and bread.
Maybe I can make him a breakfast sandwich before he leaves.
I break and scramble the eggs, then slice the bread and get the pan ready.
Still no sign of Malcolm. I wonder if he forgot to set an alarm.
I leave the food to cook later and climb the stairs. His door is still closed. I lean toward it and hear nothing. I knock lightly on the door.
No response. I knock again. “Malcolm?”
There’s bumping around inside the room, then the door flies open.
Malcolm sleeps shirtless.
Not that I’d wondered.
His hair is wild, and he’s breathing hard like my knocking pulled him from the depths of an intense dream.
“Everythin’ alright?” he asks when I fail to say anything.
“Everything’s alright with me. But you need to leave in thirty minutes, and I thought maybe you’d forgotten to set an alarm.”
“Ach! What time is it?”
“Ten twenty.”
He looks shocked. “I don’t know the last time I’ve slept this late. I couldn’t fall asleep last night and obviously couldn’t be bothered to spend any of the time I was on my phone setting an alarm.” He smiles. “It’s nice to see you first thing, though.”
Malcolm steps in and hugs me. What is happening right now? I’m pressed against his warm, moderately hairy chest. He must really be a hugger. It’s like we really bonded in the rain yesterday and now he’s free to be his hugging and affectionate self.
I don’t mind.
“Good mornin’, lass,” he says before releasing me. “I’ll get ready and be down in a wee minute.”
“Mornin’,” is all I can manage. If he’s gonna keep this up, I’m gonna have to learn how to speak while dumbstruck.
I’m on Malcolm’s couch, looking around on my phone for a safe place for lunch, and somewhere to go look for a dress, when there’s a knock on his door. He’s been gone an hour and a half, and I’m certainly not expecting anyone.
I hear a woman’s voice calling through the door and stand to step closer.
“Makenna? It’s Fiona. Malcolm’s favourite sister.”
I look out the window and find a woman who matches the photo Malcolm has on his bookshelf. He’d told me she put it there, but he seemed glad to have it.
I open the door and I’m met by a woman with eyes that match Malcolm’s exactly.
“Fiona. Hi. Come in,” I say. “I’m sorry, but Malcolm’s not here.”
“I know. I was sad to miss dinner yesterday, but when my brother said he was working today and overnight, I thought I’d keep you company. If that’s alright. We can do whatever you have planned. Though, Malcolm did say we should work on your things for the gala.”
“Oh.” Malcolm knew she was coming and suggested we go dress shopping. That’s thoughtful.
“Ach. I’m sorry. I should have asked you about coming. You may have been looking forward to some alone time. I can go spend time with Mam and Da—”
“No, no. I would love to hang out with you today. Really. I was disappointed you couldn’t be there last night.
I’d planned to take it easy today. Look for a dress.
So actually, this is perfect. I’m so indecisive about clothes, so I was going to try to FaceTime my friend, but this will be much better. ”
Fiona grins. “I love clothes. I actually design for a sustainable luxury clothing brand in Edinburgh, that’s why I moved there.
And I went to the office this morning before driving up to see if there was anything that might work for you.
I didny have anything to go off besides one selfie from the elbows up and a guess at your height, but I think I may have something.
If not, or if you don’t like it, we’ll shop! ”
“That’s amazing! Thank you. I’m so excited.”
“Well, don’t thank me yet. We’ll see.” Fiona motioned for me to follow her to her car. “Oh! Malcolm said you like old things. Well … there’s a fantastic antique store nearby, we have to go if you hevny already been.”
“This is sounding like the perfect day.”
We bring Fiona’s overnight bag, and several garment bags inside, and set up in my bedroom upstairs.
“Have you eaten lunch?” Fiona asks. “I drove straight here, so I’m starvin’.”
“I was about to walk to this place nearby when you got here,” I say.
“Let’s do it.”
After lunch, we’re back upstairs in my bedroom and Fiona has laid three stunning dresses across the bed. There were two others that she deemed too short, and one she decided would wash me out.
My eyes go immediately to a deep green silk gown. Green is my favorite color, and the silk looks so luxurious. I reach and glide my fingers along the fabric.
“Oh my gosh, I love this. I’m afraid I would spend the entire night feeling my dress.”
“That’s my favourite too.”
“Did you design this?”
“No. I don’t typically design formalwear. My friend Ellen designed it. If this is the one, I’ll have to send her a picture. I’ll step out so you can change. Let me know if you need help.”
I make quick work of changing and take a minute in front of the mirror to take a look.
I’ll need a different bra. The v-neckline leads to off-the-shoulder sleeves.
I grab my claw clip from the dresser and twist my hair up.
Oh yes. This dress begs for an updo. It reminds me of the wedding dress of a client from years ago. She was stunning.
The empire waist gives me a little space in the tummy region, which I appreciate. I move as if dancing and the movement is mesmerizing as I sway.
I think I found it. I don’t even want to try the others.
I open the door and find Fiona leaning against the opposite wall. She gasps.
“Holy smokes, it’s like it was made for you. I have a good eye.”
“And I can really wear this?”
“You can have it. I’m getting it at a steal, and Malcolm already told me he’s paying me back.”
“Are you serious? He doesn’t have to do that. I’ll pay you back.”
“Nope. You’re going to this dance for him. He can pay.” She pulls me back to the mirror where she takes a better look at the fit of the dress, tugging and shifting things until it sits where she likes it. “Looks like we’ll have to go bra shopping and shoe shopping.”
“One of those sounds more fun than the other,” I say, my eyes glued to myself in this dress.
Fiona laughs. “That’s true.” She straightens and steps back, continuing to look at me. “Malcolm will pass out when he sees you.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh yeah, that’s likely.”
“Makenna. I’m serious. Do you not see yourself?”
I consider myself again in the mirror. I do look pretty good. Better than I’ve ever looked, really. Though, I still can’t see myself measuring up to Malcolm.
But … he did ask me to go with him. He wouldn’t have if he was going to be embarrassed by me. And sometimes I think there’s something in his eyes. Like he likes what he sees. I know he likes my personality, but could there be more attraction there?
“Listen,” Fiona says. “I know my brother. He’s nice, and he wants to help, but I doubt you’d still be here if he wasn’t interested.”
I turn to face her. “Really?”
“Really.”