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But would there ever be a good time?
Once she had the baby, Dani would want to be home with her child. She'd want me to keep the boutique running. I couldn't keep putting my own life on hold no matter how much I loved her, no matter how much I didn't want to disappoint her.
My phone rang, and Dani's name flashed across the screen. I felt almost panicked at the sight of it. I knew she was wondering where I was. I couldn't talk to her on the phone. This conversation had to be done in person. I sent her a text, telling her I was on my way back, and then I started the car.
A few minutes later, I pulled into the small lot behind the store, drew in a deep breath and headed inside. I dropped my bag in the office and made my way through the dressing-room area, where all three stalls appeared to be full. That wasn't surprising. This weekend should be especially busy as there were a ton of tourists in town for a big celebrity golf tournament.
Dani was ringing up a customer while our other clerk, Maddie, a local college student was hanging up clothes. I smiled at Maddie, then made my way over to Dani. The customer she was helping gave a double take when she saw me.
"There's two of you," she murmured in bemusement.
I smiled, used to the surprised reaction, although it hadn't happened as much in recent years. Dani and I were identical mirror twins. While we looked alike, she was right-handed, and I was left. She had a freckle above her right eyebrow, while I had the same freckle on the left. But we shared the same brown hair and dark blue, almost purple, eyes.
Beyond that, we'd made some changes to distinguish ourselves over the years. Dani had cut her brown hair to collar length and wore it straight, while my hair fell below my shoulders in tangled waves. Dani's fashion style was trendy and modern, while I was more casual and liked a bohemian look.
"Sorry for staring," the customer continued.
"No worries," Dani said. "Brynn is my twin sister, and we've had some fun over the years confusing people until we changed our hair and the way we dress."
"It must be odd to look at each other and see your own face," the customer said.
"It feels normal to us," I said.
"Enjoy your dress," Dani added, as she handed the customer her bag.
"Oh, I love it already. It will be perfect for my best friend's wedding. Thanks."
As the woman left, Dani's sales smile faded as she gave me an annoyed look. "Where have you been? I told you I need to leave early to get to my doctor's appointment. Steve will be here any second to pick me up."
"Oh, right." I realized my plan to shake up both our lives was going to have to wait. "Sorry, I forgot."
"You've been preoccupied lately. Are you thinking about Jeff?" Dani asked, referring to the man I'd been dating the past month.
I started at the question, realizing I hadn't given Jeff one thought in the last week.
"Are you two getting serious?" Dani asked with a hopeful smile.
"It hasn’t been that long. He's a nice guy, but I don't know…"
"You're so picky, Brynn. Jeff has a good job, and he's Steve's best friend. Think how great it would be if the two of you fell in love. Jeff is already part of the family. He's a good catch."
"I'm not looking to catch someone."
"I wish you would change your mind. I want our kids to grow up together."
"Dani, slow down," I said with a laugh. "Nothing would happen that fast, even if I keep dating Jeff."
"I know. I just like it when we're both happy. And it doesn't feel like you've been that happy lately."
Her words seemed like the perfect opening to say I'd found a way to make myself happy. But then Steve walked through the front door. Dani's husband was an attractive man with blond hair and blue eyes. Steve was dressed in a navy-blue suit. His glasses framed a pair of tired brown eyes. Dani had told me earlier that he'd been putting in long hours at the office and in court as a trial was just getting underway.
He gave me a friendly smile, then walked over to Dani to give her a kiss. "Are you ready to go?"
"I am," she said. "I'm a little nervous."
"It's going to be fine," he told her.
"Just what I wanted to hear you say."
