Maybe not after all that she’d been through, but why was there so much navy, tan, and black? When she’d been a reporter, those colors had served her well for travel and chasing down stories. They didn’t show the wear and tear of that kind of life.
But she wasn’t chasing down stories anymore, was she? This was Florida, not some hustling, bustling city. There ought to be a few splashes of color.
She sighed as Peanut strolled in. “Even you’re more colorful than my wardrobe. Maybe I should throw you over my shoulder and call it a day.”
Peanut jumped up onto the bed, flopped down, and stretched.
“Show off,” Cece muttered. “Just because you aren’t going out doesn’t mean you have to rub it in.”
What was she going to wear and why did it matter? Jonas wasn’t someone she was interested in. She didn’t care aboutmaking an impression. She was only going out with him because he’d texted to confirm and she’d lost her nerve to back out.
Also, he’d given her that shell, which honestly meant nothing, but it had been a sweet gesture and something about it stuck with her.
“Okay, focus. Peanut, what’s a good bowling outfit?”
Peanut was now chewing on the toes of her back foot with serious intent and no longer available for comment.
Cece grabbed a pair of faded denim capris. That was a start. What on top? Again, she stared into the abyss of her closet, seeing nothing that looked appropriate. Should she go with a T-shirt or was that too casual? If not a T-shirt, then a blouse? That felt too dressy for bowling.
Why was this so hard?
If only she had someone to ask. Which was a dumb thing to think, because she did have someone. Her neighbor and new book club friend, Blaise. Who better to put together a perfect non-date bowling outfit?
Cece didn’t imagine Blaise had ever been bowling, but she would still probably be able to cobble something together out of this assortment of clothes.
She texted Blaise.Are you around? I need help and you’re the only one I can think of to ask.
Blaise answered pretty quickly.I’m home. What do you need?
Some fashion advice. Can you come over?
Blaise sent a smiley face, then,On my way.
A few minutes later, Cece was letting her in.
“What’s going on?”
“I had a little too much wine last night, went for a walk on the beach, and ended up agreeing to go bowling with a guy I just met.”
For a moment, Blaise just stared, then she burst into laughter. “I love everything about that. It sounds like the beginning of a great romcom. If Hollywood still made those.”
Cece begrudgingly smiled. “I’m glad you’re amused. I have nothing to wear and I don’t know the first thing about bowling.”
“Oh, it’s not that hard. The best advice I can give you is use the lines on the floor in front of the lane as your guide.”
Cece blinked. “You’ve been bowling?”
“More times than I can count. There was a bowling alley a lot of the models went to. It was fun and we pretty much got left alone there. Bowlmor, I think, it was called.” She smiled. “I haven’t thought about that in ages.”
She rubbed her hands together. “All right, let’s see what your options are.”
“Not much, I can promise you that.” Cece led her to the closet and presented it like she was one of Barker’s Beauties. “That’s it.”
Blaise took it in. “What were you thinking about wearing?”
“I’d gotten as far as those capris on the bed. That’s it.”
Blaise turned. “You have a cat! Oh, she’s gorgeous. Or him.”
