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As she starts rifling through the options, I let myself relax in the vibrant atmosphere. Skye’s energy is contagious, always making it easy to forget the stresses of running my gallery, dealing with small-town whispers, or just trying to navigate everyday life.

“Ah-ha! I think I found it.” She pulls out a slinky, black dress that shimmers under the store lights. “This is it. Trust me.”

I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Then I definitely want to try it. I want to wow this weekend.”

“Eve, you could wear a garbage bag and walk down a runway, you’re so freaking gorgeous.” She laughs and leads me to the dressing rooms in the back of the store. “Try it on.”

As I slip it on, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The dress hugs my curves in all the right places, highlighting my figure in a way that feels both empowering and thrilling. I turn, checking the fit from all angles, and I can’t help but grin. Damn, I look good.

“Skye!” I call out, stepping out of the fitting room to reveal the dress. “What do you think?”

She gasps audibly, eyes practically bulging. “Holy hell! You look like a bombshell! You’ll stop traffic in that.”

“Exactly what I was aiming for.” I smile as a thrill courses through me. “I’ll take it.”

“Oh, I have the perfect pair of earrings that will match your vibe. And don’t even get me started on shoes.” She bounces over to a different display, her energy infectious.

As we continue to experiment, I find myself wrapped up in laughter and excitement.

Once I'm fully decked out, I step in front of the mirror again, taking in the whole picture. I don’t just look good; I feel it, radiating from the inside out.

Skye claps her hands and twirls around, giddy. “You are going to own that auction, Eve! Let me get those earrings for you.”

“Thanks, Skye. For everything.”

I smile back at my reflection, but I know, deep down, I’m more eager now than I’ve been in ages.