JustbeforeIpull out of the parking lot,IseeJaceclapSpenceron the shoulder, and the tense situation seems miraculously diffused.Wow.Theguy really does know how to get out of a situation without throwing punches.Iam impressed.Igive a little wave asIturn left onto the street and head toward home, the roasted chicken in the seat next to me smelling divine.
CHAPTER4
DEFENDING DATES AND FABULOUS FINDS
MACKENZIE
Istep to the other side of some racks of blouses on the sidewalk outside one of my favorite clothing stores, reveling in the feel of sunshine on my skin.I’mwearing a fun dress, my legs still feel freshly shaven from my date last night, and the weather is so perfect thatItake off my cardigan and stuff it into the shopping bag that holds the pair of jeansIbought moments ago.Thesun feels even better on my bare shoulders.Thephysical therapy clinicIwork at has been short-staffed soI’veworked the past two weekends, and it feels glorious to be doing normal things today.
It’seven better thatI’mhere shopping withLivi.Ithasn’t been the easiest adjusting to myBFFbeing a thirty-minute drive away instead of a four-step walk.
Thismall is one of my favorites.Notonly is it almost exactly halfway between my house andLivi’s, but all the storefronts open into a partially enclosed courtyard.Whenthe weather is warm like this, they all bring their racks out to the sidewalks and the ambiance is downright festive.Iam in the middle of considering a cute coral-colored, off-the-shoulder shirt with a ridiculous amount of ruffles along the neckline when a rack of shoes to my left catches my attention.
Irush over to them and pick up the cutest pair of heels thatI’veever laid my eyes on.They’reabout the same shade of magenta as my purse— they’re a rich, saturated, striking color thatIswear speaks to my soul.Theheels are some kind of metal and have a cool-looking vine wrapping up them and onto the magenta part at the back of the shoe.Liviis at my side in an instant, ogling the shoes with me. “I’vebeen feeling like something is missing in my life lately,”Isay, “andI’mpretty sure it’s these shoes.”
Liviturns the full force of her significant gaze on me, placing a hand gently on my upper arm. “Oh,Mac.Youcan’t fill that hole with shoes.”
Myfriend has said some hard truths over the years, but this one hurts.
Thenshe continues. “Youalso need a place to wear them.”
“YoumeanIcan’t just wear these to the drugstore?”
“Girl, you wear those wherever your heart desires.”
Ikick off one of my sandals and slide my foot into the soft, smooth surface that feels as good as a down comforter and petting a kitten wrapped into one.Andthey just happen to be my size.Almostlike a sign from heaven.Andboy do these feel like heaven!Ilift my other foot, putting all my weight onto the shoe.Ihad no idea there were heels out there that could feel this great.
I’mturning my ankle from side to side, admiring how perfectly beautiful they are and how they feel like they’remine.Likethey were made just for me. “That’smy goal,”Iannounce. “Tofind a place to wear these.”
“Pleasetell me you’re buying them,”Livisays.
Inod. “Thenif a mystical event to wear them arises without warning,I’llbe prepared.”
AsIam putting them back into the box and looking for the outdoor register to go pay for them,Liviasks, “DidItell you thatFelipeis taking me to the opera?Onthe box tier!”
“Onceor twice.” (Onthis shopping trip alone.Thereal answer isfive times.)Liviis a jeans and steel-toed boot-wearing, tool-wielding mechanical engineer by day and a short, flowery, and flowy skirt-wearing, accessory-adorned girly-girl by night who has surprised me more than once sinceI’veknown her.Thegirl can jam out to music with the best of us, butIstill have a hard time picturing her enjoying the opera.Everytime she talks about it, though, she’s so excited, so she’s surprising me all over again. “Oh!Maybeyou should get these shoes so you can wear them to theKennedyCenter!”
“Don’tneed to.”Shegrins. “Felipealready bought me an outfit.”
Livinever really says it, butIthink it’s a pretty good guess thatFelipecomes from money.
Weget in line behind a woman who is peering around the tower of seven boxes of shoes she’s holding, watching the customer in front of her finish checking out.Itkind of makes me wishIwould’ve looked a little more to find other gems.No.Thispair in my hands is lightning striking.Itdoesn’t strike twice at the same sidewalk sale.
Livisighs. “It’sjust that he’s so great.It’shard to not talk about him nonstop.”Ifeel her gaze on the side of my face just before she asks, “Whenare you going to start dating someone again?”
“Youdo this every time you start dating someone new and get all enamored with them.”
She’snot going to try to refute my comment because her relationships don’t typically last long.Shestarts dating someone new and gets enamored quickly.Thenjust as quickly, she turns her focus on wanting me to be enamored with someone.Notthat dating someone soon after the last guy and falling in love quickly are bad things—Ikind of wishIcould be a little more like her, actually.
“Well, you haven’t dated anyone sinceDan.”
Hercomment hits like a gale-force wind sneaking up all ninja-like and nearly knocking me down, blindsiding me. “Livi!Whydid you have to bring him up?Thatwas so long ago!”
“That’smy entire point.Itwassolong ago.Therehave to be guys you find attractive.”
PartlybecauseIwant to change the subject as far away fromDanas possible and partly becauseIknow what her reaction is going to be andIwant to experience it,Isay, “Theguy who saved me from my disaster date last night was pretty attractive.”
Hereyes go wide and her hands start fluttering as she’s taking in a huge breath. “Ohmy lands,Icompletely forgot you had a blind date last night.Ican’t believe we’ve been here this long and you haven’t mentioned anything!Iwant to hear all about it.”