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Miranda spread mayonnaise over the bread and set the knife down. “And Summer...”
She held Miranda’s serious gaze. “Yes?”
“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you and Nate finally connected. It’s never too late. But I wish, like you, it had been sooner. Maybe it would have been easier for Natalie. But she’ll come around.”
“I feel like if I had more history with all of you, it wouldn’t feel like I’m visiting.”
“You’re not. You’re home.”
Summer took a chance, closed the distance between them, and found Miranda already spreading her arms wide to accept the hug Summer wanted to give her. “Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s true.” Miranda gave her a squeeze, then let her go and smiled.
“Well...” Summer often felt awkward after displays of affection because they had been few and far between. “Um, I guess I’ll go make my call.”
“See you later.” Miranda went back to making the sandwich with a knowing grin.
Yes, Summer was retreating, but with a full heart, knowing she’d gotten a step closer to what she really wanted: belonging.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Natalie walked out of the dressing room at the boutique Summer suggested for dress shopping for the upcoming benefit. Her mom had wanted to take her and Haley to the store where they bought Natalie’s prom dress. Natalie had begged for something more chic.
“Absolutely not,” her mom said the second she spotted Natalie in the black gown with the spaghetti straps, deep plunging neckline, and slit all the way up to her hip bone, showing off a lot of leg.
Summer put a hand on Miranda’s shoulder and stood. “You definitely have all the assets for that killer dress.”
Natalie appreciated the compliment.
“But...” Summer came to her, put her hands on Natalie’s shoulders, and turned her toward the mirror. They locked eyes in the glass. “What does this dress say about you?”
That I’m sexy as hell.“That I’m not a kid anymore.”
“You’ve got all the curves to back it up,” Summer agreed. “But—and maybe I’m wrong—you look hesitant, like this dress is outside your comfort zone.”
What Summer was saying kind of made sense. “This dress is killer.”
“It is. But do you feel confident in it?”
Natalie studied herself in the mirror with a critical eye and realized she kept her hand at the slit of the dress on her thigh, trying to make sure it stayed in place and didn’t show too much. She also had to stop herself from tugging at the top again to keep from spilling out of it.
She didn’t feel self-assured; she felt exposed.
Summer made a suggestion. “Try on the dress I hung outside your dressing room. I want you to see the difference, not just in how you look, but in how you feel. If I’m wrong, then you argue with your mom about which dress you’ll get.” Summer gave her a teasing smile.
Natalie went back to the dressing room and saw the dress Summer had left hanging there. It wasn’t one she would have picked, but Natalie went in to try it on anyway.
Through the thin door she overheard Summer and Miranda gushing over Haley’s dress.
“That color is perfect on you,” Miranda said.
“I love it.” Excitement filled Haley’s voice. “Summer, you were so right.” Haley loved bright colors, and Summer had picked a pretty lilac-colored dress to offset Haley’s dark hair and darker blue eyes. Natalie bet it looked great on her.
The dress Natalie slipped on wasn’t black, like she wanted, but midnight blue. The second she saw the color against her skin and lighter blue eyes, she loved it.
She hadn’t been sure about the scoop neck or cap sleeves, but the second she zipped up the dress and the bodice hugged her breasts and pushed them up slightly, she got the sexy vibe she wanted. Especially how the dress draped from the nipped-in center just below her breasts, down to her knees. The dress didn’t cling. It skimmed her curves. And the slit on the side to mid-thigh added just enough sexy.
A pair of shoes appeared over the top of the door.
