It pleased her that Graham said they spoke every Sunday morning over tea, trading weather reports and sharing half-truths about how they were both “doing just fine.”
She suspected he would very much like to go visit his son. Maybe, she thought, getting completely ahead of herself, that was a trip they could take together one of these days. Or maybe she’d take him to meet Randi, although it was more likely Randi, her husband, and son would come here.
But that was all just daydreaming. Something thatmighthappen in the future.
Still, a trip to New York City would be a great excuse to do some serious shopping, maybe take in a play, eat at some fabulous restaurants. Graham’s son would know some great spots. He must take clients out.
She was well aware that it was too early to suggest such a thing. But the idea would live in her mind until the timewasright.
Not only would it be great fun, but it would make for some fantastic content. Her eyes narrowed. Could she write some of the trip off if it was technically for work? Was TikTok considered work?
She really needed to speak to her accountant.
But not now. As soon as she was done setting up these posts to go live, she was off to do a little shopping at Queenie’s, one of the two ladies’ boutiques at the Colony shopping center, near The Bee’s Knees cafe.
Queenie’s was the most upscale and Paige’s favorite. She was on the hunt for a dress. Something really special. And maybe a tiny bit sexy—in an elegant way, of course.
Graham was taking her out to dinner at Salt & Cedar, the best seafood restaurant in Beechwood. She’d never been. It was expensive, but she’d never been because none of her previous gentlemen friends had ever suggested it.
Maybe they were too cheap. Or maybe Graham was once again trying to impress her. She didn’t care. She was going to have fun and enjoy the night.
And if he could splurge on a nice dinner, she could certainly get a new dress for the occasion.
She finished up her posts, then touched up her lipstick and hopped into her car. Queenie’s wasn’t so far away that she couldn’t have gone in her golf cart but she did not want to be sweaty when she arrived.
The boutique was quiet, only one other woman perusing the racks. Paige greeted the saleswoman, then started browsing. She really didn’t have an exact idea of what she wanted, but figured she’d know it when she tried it on.
She found a black dress right away, but she had several little black dresses. Unless this one was spectacular on, one of the dresses she owned would be just as good. But black was maybe too predictable.
She wanted something more interesting than black. She moved on. She found a bold floral print in white and fuchsia, but it felt a bit too loud. And maybe excessively youthful. She did not want to look like she was trying too hard.
Even so, she draped it over her arm as a possibility. A spring-green and turquoise dress followed, but it was too casual, and a red denim shirt-dress that was unusual and worth a try.
“Can I take those to a fitting room for you?” the saleswoman asked.
“That would be great, thanks.” Paige handed them over. “I’m trying to find a nice dress for a dinner date. Something fitted and sexy but not over the top. Have I missed anything you think I should look at?”
“Well…” The saleswoman glanced toward the back. “We have a few dresses that haven’t gone out yet. There’s one that might be suitable. I’ll add it to your fitting room.”
“Thank you.” She did one more sweep around the store but found nothing else so she went to the back of the store. One fitting room door was open and it held Paige’s selections.
The extra dress was black with a pattern of tropical tan leaves. She couldn’t quite make out the neckline. It looked all right. She decided to save it for last. She started trying the rest of her selections on.
The black dress was no better than what she had at home. The white and fuchsia dress was too loud and not her style. The spring-green and turquoise dress was cute, but too casual, as she’d suspected. The red denim shirt-dress was also a bit casual and not right for the evening, but she liked it enough to get it. It would be a fun dress for a girls night out, and who knew what the Queen Bees might get up to?
That left the black and tan dress. She slipped into it. The neckline was beautifully structured and off the shoulder in what felt like an ode to the classic cocktail dresses of the ’50s, but the tropical fabric made it modern.
She got it zipped and turned to look in the mirror. Her brows lifted at what she saw. She worked hard on her figure but found most clothes for women her age assumed she wanted to hide her body.
Not this dress. Besides showing off her shoulders, it was nipped in at the waist, making it look tiny. Snatched, as the younger generation would say. The hem came to just below theknee, perfect with a pair of kitten heels, which would only add to the ’50s feeling.
She turned to get a better look at the rear view. Her backside had never looked better. Now this was a dress that would make an impression, coming and going. However much it was, it was about to be hers.
She smiled. Graham had no idea what he was in for, that lucky duck.
Chapter Thirty-One
Cece frowned at her closet. Her clothing options were awful. Looking at the selections she’d thought would be perfect for her new, minimalist life depressed her. Had she never imagined she was ever going to have fun again?
