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“I love you, too. You’re my person.”
“For now.” She winked.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, honey, someday you will have your person, and he will be the luckiest man in the world.”
“Right.” I reached for my strawberry lemonade. Admittedly, my thoughts flickered to Kane, as ridiculous as it was. I had come to the conclusion that Kane was only a flirt and had too much champagne at the wedding. Or worse, he felt sorry for me, which was why he had been so nice to me.
“I wish you could see what I see when I look at you.”
“I know what people see—an introverted, awkward girl who stopped speaking in the first grade because stepmother number two told her her voice was annoying.”
It was a true story, and I was teased about it for years by my peers. What made it worse was being held back that year despite getting 100 percent on every test and assignment I had turned in. My teacher didn’t feel I was emotionally mature enough for second grade.
Naomi’s face burned red. She was still unhappy about that situation. Auggie hadn’t let me see Naomi after the divorce. It wasn’t until Auggie was at his wit’s end trying to get me to talk that he let Naomi back into my life. She was my saving grace. I told Naomi what Christina, wicked stepmother number two, had put me through. That was the end of that marriage.
Naomi composed herself. “Don’t even get me started on that woman. But let me start in on you.” She reached for my hand. “You, my love, are not a girl anymore. You are a gorgeous young woman who, unfortunately, hasn’t been told enough how truly beautiful you are inside and out.”
“You’re biased,” I whispered.
“No. I’m an objective scientist.”
I giggled.
She squeezed my hand. “I would never lie to you. You know that. Please start looking at yourself through clear eyes, not the critical eyes of the jealous women who marry your father on a regular basis.”
“What do they have to be jealous of?”
“You, of course. The only constant in his life.”
“Constant nuisance, maybe.”
“No,” she adamantly said. “Your father loves you. He does a poor job of showing it, but I know he does. Why do you think he wants you to come home every summer and during every school break?”
I stared down at the table. “I don’t know. I guess because he expects me to be involved with Armstrong Labs.”
“Yes, because that’s the only way the idiot thinks he can keep you in his life,” she growled. “So misguided,” she said more to herself.
“I only want him to be proud of me.”
“Honey, can I give you some advice?”
I nodded.
“Take this summer to find yourself. And please take a long, long look in the mirror. The girl you think you are doesn’t exist. Look at the woman you are today. Your curls are to die for, and your big green eyes with jealousy-inducing, thick eyelashes are amazing. Not to mention your cute button nose, creamy complexion, and high cheekbones. And regardless of your outer beauty, your incredible soul shines through.”
“I’m not—”
“Beautiful. Yes, you are. You’ve just been hiding behind the opinions of others. And, if you don’t mind me saying, your baggy clothes.”
I looked down at the oversize blue blouse and elastic-waistband trousers I’d picked out for the office today. I looked like I was twenty-two going on sixty-five. However, I was comfortable, and it hid the pooch around my middle. I gave Naomi a small smile. “Maybe I could use an updated wardrobe.”
She laughed. “If you want to go shopping, let me know.”
“Okay. Cheesecake first, though.”
“Always.” She held up her glass of sweet tea to me.
~*~
I returned to the office in a red floral print flare dress that did a pretty good job of hiding my middle. The Cheesecake Factory was in the mall, so Naomi and I were able to pop quickly into a department store before my too-long lunch break was over, but I could only try on a few things. Thankfully, the strappy leather sandals I had been wearing matched this bold new look for me. I only bought the one dress as a trial run. I felt sort of exposed, even though the dress covered me nicely. It was a good thing I had been waxed to death in a satanic ritual Eva had put me through before the wedding on Saturday. She said I would thank her later for it, and I guess I kind of did. Still, the pain was fresh in my mind.
Armstrong Labs corporate headquarters was a stunning piece of architecture. The circular building was mostly made of windows, which allowed the abundant Georgia sunshine to light almost every space. My favorite, though, was the courtyard. It had magnolia trees for days and smelled like gardenias and peonies. When the humidity wasn’t atrocious, it was a favorite spot for people to eat lunch or even work while sitting on the benches and the well-manicured lawn. I loved to lounge under the large out-of-the-way maple tree and read crime thrillers or romances during my lunch break.
