LITMIR.BIZ

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made the plain black fancier.

      This one was definitely nice.

      Confident, she went out to get a second opinion.

      “I like this one?” Erin spoke the statement as more of a question as the clerk eyed her critically.

      “Gorgeous! That definitely suits you. The satin crepe really softens and accents your shape. Nice choice.”

      “Good. Thank you. If you can suggest a pair of shoes to match, you will officially be my hero.”

      Emily laughed. “Oh, shoes, yes. I know just the pair. And you’ll need a bag, and perhaps some stockings? Garters?”

      Erin stared. “Do I need all that?”

      Emily laughed. “It’s good to have at least one entire ensemble. And men love garters. Trust me.”

      “I guess it can’t hurt to try it on.”

      “I’ll be right back.”

      Erin was sure that the saleswoman was more excited about the shopping than she was, but it was going much more easily than she imagined, so that was a blessing. Sitting down on a bench by the entry to the dressing room, she waited and was glad to find she could sit comfortably—and modestly—in the dress.

      “Erin?”

      Erin saw Dana standing a few feet away.

      “Hey, Dana,” she said with a smile, and then saw her friend’s curious gaze as she took in the dress.

      “Whoa. That’s a killer dress.”

      “Thanks. Emily, ah, the saleswoman, picked it. You know me, I know nothing about clothes.”

      “You suddenly got the urge to shop? Are you feeling okay?”

      They laughed, and Erin shrugged. “I had some time and figured I would pick up a few less-casual things. Just in case, you know?”

      “Sure. And you hit the nail on the head the first time. That’s perfect on you. I love that designer. I have several of her pieces myself, though now I can’t wear them after seeing how amazing they look on you.”

      “Yeah, right.” Erin waved her off. “I’d never heard of her before this.” Erin had a feeling she’d never heard of any dress designers.

      “Here we go! I have some heels I’m sure you’ll like, along with the garters and the stockings. I can show you some evening bags on the way out, and I promise your fella is going to have heart palpitations when he sees you tonight.”

      “Fella? You’re seeing a fella tonight?” Dana’s stare sharpened on Erin like a hawk’s on its prey.

      “I have to try these on,” Erin said hastily and sought refuge in the dressing room, but not before she heard Dana’s warning that she could wait.

      Oh, crap.

      Leaning against the door for her temporary reprieve, Erin knew the jig was up. Whatever a jig was.

      She’d have to tell Dana something, and she was a lousy liar. Especially to her friends.

      Focusing on the shoes, she checked out the garters and stockings, but decided to pass, simply pulling on a pair of light gold, strappy sandals that ended up being far more comfortable than they looked.

      Taking a deep breath, she headed back out, finding Emily and Dana chatting easily, both turning their attention to her with equal approval.

      “Perfect.” Emily sighed.

      “Those shoes make your legs look a million miles long,” Dana said with a low whistle.

      Erin was pleased with their reactions, and she had to admit, she felt great, too.

      “So what will your fella think?” Dana asked, blinking innocently.

      “I, um, he...” Erin sputtered and cursed under her breath, retreating to the dressing room and closing the door.

      Seconds later, Dana’s voice came from the other side of the door.

      “Hey, Erin. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you bolt. I just... I’m surprised if you have a date and you didn’t tell me. Are you okay in there?”

      Erin’s shoulders sagged. Was she okay?

      Hours ago, she was climbing up a burned-out ruin trying to remember one of the most critical events of her life—and now she was standing here like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. Maybe talking to someone about all this could help. Maybe it would make everything stop spinning for a second.

      Erin opened the door and stood back, inviting her friend inside.

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I had a date until today, so this is kind of last-minute but...the guy thing isn’t. It’s actually pretty complicated. I’m starting to feel...dizzy. Like I don’t know which end is up.”

      She sat down on the narrow seat on the wall, deflated.

      “Want to talk about it?” Dana joined her.

      Erin stood up. “Yes. I have some time before I have to get home and get ready.”

      “Let’s get your things, and we can go walk while you tell me about you and Bo. Iced coffee is on me.”

      Erin gaped in surprise.

      Dana rolled her eyes. “I notice things. Like the look on your face when Bo showed up for painting a few weeks ago. C’mon, change, and we’ll talk. I’ve been dying to know about this for, like forever.”

      “Erin, is there anything else I can help you with?” Emily spoke from the other side of the door.

      “I’m good, thanks, Emily. I’m taking the dress and the shoes. I’ll be out in just a second.”

      “Take your time. I’ll meet you at the register.”

      Erin listened as the clerk’s heels tapped on the floor as she walked away.

      “How long have you known?”

      “I didn’t know, but I suspected.”

      Erin was suddenly nervous. “Do you think anyone else knows?”

      “No. You kidding? Everyone else we know is male, and they don’t notice that stuff. Get dressed, and I’ll meet you out there.”

      Dana slipped out while Erin changed and gathered up her things, coming to terms with the fact that someone knew—and had known for a while, by the sound of it—about her and Bo. It was...a relief.

      They paid for her new dress and shoes and made their way out to the coffee shop, and then walked along the wide aisles of the new mall.

      “So you and the marshal,” Dana invited. “Tell me.”

      “Well, like I said, it’s kind of...an on-again, off-again thing,” she said, for lack of a better way of describing it. “And I don’t remember all of it, but that’s kind of why we’re back together now. For the moment anyway.”

      “What does that mean?”

      Erin wasn’t sure how much she should share of Bo’s career plans, as she knew they were waiting until they had a replacement for him before making a general announcement. But after swearing Dana to silence, even with Scott, she told her the whole story—as much as she knew anyway.

      “So, let me get this straight. You two were together all last year, you broke up with him, and now he’s back with you again, but only so you can remember about the fire?”

      “That about sums it up. But he’s moving to Virginia soon, so you know...when he goes, that will be that.”

      Dana leveled a look at her. “And that’s okay with you?”

      Erin shrugged. “It was the deal.”

      “That’s

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