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“Oh shit. What happened?”
“Okay, not exactly stood me up, but damn near. I’m all dressed up with no place to go, because one of his kids is having a dental emergency and Daniel’s ex-wife can’t deal with oral surgery, so he has to be there for them. He feels bad, so he sent a limo to pick me up and take me wherever I want to go tonight. So, now, I have a limo, two tickets to a ball, and no date. Be my date. Pleeeease?”
I am so tired that I want to cry, but I can’t disappoint Callie. It would be like scolding a golden retriever. How could I ever look her in the eye after that? Plus, she never asks for favors. I can’t say no. After a deep breath, I gently try to get out of it. “That sounds amazing, but Callie, I don’t have a dress nice enough for a ball.”
“Everyone has a little black cocktail dress, June.”
I laugh my retort. “Guess I’m no one, then.”
“We’ll figure something out. It’ll be fine.”
“None of my fancy shoes have a heel the right height for formalwear?—"
She laughs. “Is that the best you can do?”
No. The best I could do is to tell you no. But even I’m not that heartless. Still, I don’t want to do this. “It’s been raining all day.”
Silence. Nothing but silence.
“Callie? You still there?”
“It’s been raining all day is your excuse for not going to a ball tonight? I distinctly recall you barreling down the sidewalk for lunch today in the middle of a downpour, June.”
“I was very hungry, and if I don’t hurry in the rain, I get it on my glasses, which you know I hate.”
She giggles. “Here’s what we’ll do. Since you’re obviously reluctant to go, I’ll come over and we’ll go through your closet together to find a suitable outfit. If I can’t find one, then we will order in and watch your favorite scary movies?—"
“You hate scary movies. You only like James Bond films.”
“Yes, well, other adventure movies, too, but I am willing to suffer for you, if you’re willing to suffer for me and go to this thing. But you have to give an honest opinion about the outfits I pick for you. You can’t just say you hate everything.”
I shrug. “I don’t hate what’s in my closet.”
“Good. I’ll be right over.”
“Wait, um?—"
But she’s already hung up. There is no stopping Callie on a mission, and I know I’m getting roped into this. A ball. For fuck’s sake, I’m going to a ball. Mom will be so happy when I call her on Sunday and tell her I went to a ball. I should probably at least talk to a guy while I’m there, so I can give her some hope of grandchildren.
The thought unsettles my stomach, so I grab a ginger ale and crackers before Callie arrives. Then I’m off to my closet to pick something before Callie arrives. The sooner I get in a dress, the sooner this night is over.
-
Chapter 3
JUNE
“What are you wearing?” Callie spits the moment she sees me.
“You said to wear a little black dress.”
“You look like you’re going to a funeral, not a formal.”
“Are you going to critique me from the hall all night?”
She rolls her eyes and walks in wearing a slinky, but classy red dress that hugs her lithe body. “You have crumbs on the boobs of your sweater dress, June.”
“Crackers. They’ll shake off.” I pull at the material a few times, and they crumble to the floor. “See?”
