AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Carrie, your opinion means a lot to me.”
Carrie snatched her hand back, a scowl on her beautiful face. “Try on the yellow dress first. It’ll compliment your skin tone.”
“Aw!” Jewel pounced on Carrie and hugged her.
“Group hug!” Sky bellowed.
The ladies huddled together, laughing at the way Carrie squirmed and sluggishly fought them off.
Jewel stepped back. “I’m so excited.”
“We can see that,” Jo said.
Sky tilted her head. “You really like this guy, don’t you?”
Jewel shrugged. “I do. Finn makes me want to trust him. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” Sky nodded.
Jewel glanced at each of her friends in turn. “Thank you so much for being here. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.”
“We got this, baby girl.” Sky lifted her hand for a high five.
Jewel slapped it and then took the dresses. “I’ll take these off your hands.” As Jewel trotted to the bathroom, she couldn’t help the silly smile that grew on her face.
Butterflies in the stomach? Yeah, she had elephants stomping around in there. Despite her nerves, Jewel couldn’t wait to see Finn tonight.
Since Kross’s death, her life had revolved around the theme of new beginnings. And who knew? Maybe it was time to open up to the possibility of love.
* * *
A knock sounded at the door.
“Jewel, Finn is here!” Sky hollered.
Jewel stiffened as Carrie put the finishing touches on her makeup. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she wiped her sweaty palms against the dress that Carrie had suggested.
“Don’t.” Carrie grabbed her shoulders and leaned close to her. “Don’t you dare second guess yourself. You look slamming and Finn won’t even know what to do with himself. I guarantee it.”
Jewel took a calming breath.
Just like the therapist said. Breathe. Find your happy place. The world isn’t out to get you.
She bobbed her head and stood shakily. “Let’s go.”
They headed into the living room where Finn was greeting Sky and Joana. “Ladies.”
“It’s good to see you again, Finn.” Sky wiggled her fingers.
Finn spun and their eyes met. “Whoa.”
Jewel stepped shyly forward, rubbing her elbow with one hand. The dress wasn’t showing any cleavage, but it was still tighter and more revealing than what she was used to wearing at the bakery.
Jo had lobbed enough gel and leave-in conditioner to ensure her hair remained stiff in hurricane-force winds. Carrie had left the makeup light and tasteful, doing very little to stand out.
Keep breathing, Jewel.
She let her gaze slide over to Finn and found that instruction impossible to obey. He stood in the middle of Sky’s living room, filling up the space with his dominating presence.
