Maude grabbed her phone and bumped Blaise lightly with her hip. “We’re going to make some magic.”
Blaise didn’t want to overthink it, but she felt like that might actually happen.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cece closed the door behind her and leaned back against it for a second, catching her breath. She felt sweaty and gross, but also slightly self-righteous. Exercise class had been brutal—the kind where the instructor smiled while plotting your demise—but she’d survived and felt stronger for it. She didn’t mind the ache. Tonight, shewantedto feel flushed and alive.
Because she had a date. With Joe. She grinned. He might be the most amazing man she’d ever known. She hoped he enjoyed the restaurant she’d picked out.
It had great reviews and was supposed to be a hidden gem. All she had to do was pull herself together. He’d insisted on picking her up, which gave her about an hour to get ready. Normally more than enough time for her, but she was going for glam. Not her usual look, but she was trying to up her game.
She dropped her gym bag to the floor with a thud, and kicked off her sneakers, then carried her purchases from Queenies into the bedroom with her. She’d gone there before the fitness center just to see what they had and ended up buying a few things. Pricey, but hopefully worth it.
She put everything on the bed, then sat for a moment and read Natalie’s excited texts again.
Mom, I can’t believe Joe said he’d take my case. He’s amazing. He listened to me, answered all my questions and gave me HOPE. I can’t thank you or him enough.
Cece hugged the phone briefly to her chest. That was worth every dime this dinner cost her and more. To have her daughter happy and hopeful again was major.
Joe had stepped in with a calm strength and a wealth of experience that impressed Cece more than she could say. She felt like her heart had been waiting for good news and, finally, it arrived in abundance.
She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed from endorphins. Or maybe overexertion. Either way, she was in desperate need of a shower.
She cranked on the water, shed her workout clothes, and got in. The hot water felt like heaven. She lathered up and wondered what Joe would think of her new dress. She’d been pretty casual around him so far, but she’d told him this was a slightly more dressed up evening.
He’d probably be in Tommy Bahama again. She didn’t mind. He looked good in those clothes. That beach-bum-with-money vibe suited him.
She got out, dried off, and moisturized her entire body. Then she started on makeup, using the things Blaise had shown her. Once she was happy with that, she did her hair with more care than usual.
She was pleased with the results, but she felt like she was missing something. She dug around in her makeup case, which didn’t hold a whole lot, but she found a palette Natalie had given her for Christmas.
There was a whole array of lip colors she’d yet to touch. Should she try a little color? That berry one was nice. She tapped some onto her finger, then patted it on her lips.
It was more color than she was used to, but it brightened up her entire face. In fact, it made her feel a little braver. And tonight called for brave. Tonight, she wanted to impress Joe.
That was the whole reason she’d bought the new dress.
She didn’t wear a lot of dresses. They always felt so fancy to her. But this tropical print she’d found appealed to her. And it hadn’t looked bad when she’d tried it on. It was wishful thinking, she knew, but she felt like maybe the exercise and better eating were working already.
Probably not possible in the short amount of time she’d made those changes, but she was going with it.
As she laid out her dress and admired the bold print against the navy-blue background, she felt an unfamiliar flutter low in her stomach.
Not nerves. Excitement.
Bowling had been laughter and finding out who each other was. The boat ride had been a sunset kiss that had leveled things up. And dinner tonight? This was her turn to treat him, to say thank you for fighting for Natalie but also for making Cece feel wanted, seen, and like she mattered again.
She slipped on her dress, picked out the right jewelry, and selected some sandals. She checked the clock. Joe would be here in a few minutes. More than enough time to enjoy the anticipation of what was to come.
Cece took one last look in the mirror and smiled at the woman looking back. Confident. Pretty. Ready.
“Yes,” she whispered to her reflection. “I look good.” She tried to own that and really believe it. Usually, it wasn’t so easy, but tonight, she could nod her head and smile. She did look nice.
Cece gave her hair one last fluff just as the knock sounded. Perfect timing, leaving no chance for second-guessing. She smoothed the flattering dress that flowed just past her knees and was pleased she’d made the trip to Queenie’s. She’d always thought that boutique was the sort of place you’d shop if you had somewhere special to go.
She’d been right, because tonight was special.
She opened the door to find Joe standing there, freshly shaved, wearing a navy sport coat that made his eyes look impossibly blue. His smile bloomed the moment he saw her.
