When we get to the duck pond, Valerie rolls up her pant legs and I hold up my dress. We leave our shoes at the water’s edge and run into the water. We don’t go far, Valerie could only roll her pants up so high, but we have fun. We kick at the water, chase each other around, and laugh. I haven’t laughed this hard since I was a teenager. It doesn’t take long before we’re soaked and Sadie is calling us out of the water. She shows us some shots, stopping on her favourite ones to explain why she likes them and how she might edit the images.
But what I see is how happy I look. I’m smiling a real smile in all the photos. Apart from the beginning when I was still uncertain, I look loose and relaxed. Content. And Valerie? She’s shining like the angel I swear she is.
Sadie tells us when we can expect photos from her, explaining her editing process a bit.
“Thank you two for allowing me to photograph you,” Sadie says, holding our hands. “I knew you would be beautiful together, and I was right. Your chemistry was off the charts. And that dress, Ella? It was made for you and meant to be photographed in. Stunning, absolutely stunning.”
I blush again at her words, so unused to hearing these kinds of things said about me and my style.
We walk together to the parking lot, chatting easily as we go. Sadie tells us where she’s heading to next. I tell them about the diner, and how I’m glad Kira was able to give me today and tomorrow off. Valerie doesn’t chime in with her own work stories but does tell us about Victoria, giving us a little history lesson about the grounds we’re currently walking.
When we reach the cars, we stand around Sadie’s for another ten minutes, none of us in a rush to leave. Finally, Sadie says, “I better get going. Need some food and rest before I head out tomorrow morning. Flight leaves nice and early. I’ll be in touch. Enjoy the rest of your day.” Sadie gives us a hug and then leaves, climbing into her rental car.
“Well,” I say, breaking the silence. “I guess I should get home too. I’m really glad we met.”
“Me too.” Valerie’s eyes flick down to my lips. “Really glad. Maybe we’ll see each other around?”
I look from her outfit to mine, knowing full well that we live in separate worlds. It may have been fun to pretend for an afternoon, but in the real world, girl boss Barbie and goth emo discount knock-off doll don’t actually get to hang out.
“Maybe. Bye, Valerie.”
I wait until she gets into her own car before I start mine.
Except nothing happens. No sounds. No engine struggling to start. Nothing.
Fuck. Shit. Fucking shit, you piece of shit car. Not now. Please not now. Just get me home.
I try again. Nada. “It’s because I said I was going to get rid of you, isn’t it?” I ask the car.
Delicate knocking at my window stops me from saying anything else to this metal junk heap.
“Car problems?” Valerie asks through the glass.
“Yeah, car problems,” I sigh. “It’s been struggling lately, but it always starts. This time though . . .” I trail off and try again. “Know of any good tow companies? And garages?”
I can’t afford to fix this car. I know that. Looks like my plan of getting rid of this car and saving up for a decent one got moved up. Maybe I’ll get it towed to a junkyard instead of a shop.
I grab my phone and climb out of the car, intent on finding a good, but cheap, tow truck, only to see Valerie already on her phone. She ends the call and smiles at me.
“All done. They’ll be here soon.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You called a tow truck for me? Where are they bringing my car? How much is it? Will they give me a ride home?”
She steps into my space and rests her hands on my shoulders. “He’ll take it wherever you want. If you don’t know which shop you want it to go to, he’ll give you some options.”
I sigh. “I think it’s best if I accept that there’s no bringing this car back to life. It brought me to this city, which is all I needed it for.”
“As for giving you a ride home, what if I did? Maybe we can have dinner first?” Valerie says, her voice pitching up at the end like she’s nervous.
I pull at my dress. “I’m still wet with pond water.”
“Ugh, me too. I live really close,” she says. “Come over to my house. I can loan you some clothes while I wash yours. We can order take out.”
A hundred excuses and reasons to say no run through my mind. But fuck it, I need to start saying yes to things and doing what I want. I no longer have to worry about upsetting someone else or looking like someone else’s ideal woman. I’m living my life.
“Yes. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 04
