LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter 3

      Serenity took the dress the attendant handed to her and looked it over. She’d lost the weight but wondered how the dress would actually fit. Peeking at the size, she heard the woman say, “Don’t be concerned about that. European sizing is quite different.”

      That gave her small comfort. The number on the tag was what she wore after losing her first twenty pounds.

      “Try it on. I can’t wait to see it on you!” Rayne nudged Serenity toward the fitting room. “And you try on this one, Elisa.” Their friend took the second dress and nodded her approval. “We’ll see which one looks best, and the two of you can choose.”

      “Let’s do this!” Elisa lifted her eyebrows at Serenity.

      “Let’s do it!”

      Serenity stepped into the narrow box of a room and closed the door. Leaning against the wall, she took a deep breath. She’d lost a total of forty pounds so far, and trying on clothes was still a chore because of her curves. People told her all the time how amazing she looked. She received their compliments graciously, but their enthusiasm made her wonder what they were really saying about how she looked before. Her confidence had never been tied to her dress size. But now people treated her differently, especially men, and she wasn’t sure she liked that. Inside she was exactly the same person.

      Slipping into the dress, Serenity appreciated how the inside layer, with its comfortable elasticity, glided over her curves, yet also fit her waist. The top layer was the same champagne hue but made of lace. The dress settled just off her shoulders, and at the bottom a slight train caressed the floor behind her as she moved. Twisting side to side in the mirror, Serenity smiled, taking a calm breath. It was a good fit. Maybe she didn’t need to lose those last ten pounds. Her and her mother’s new lifestyle had already proven beneficial to their health and their shapes.

      Stepping out of the fitting room, Serenity was met with gasps from her friends and strangers.

      “Oh my goodness!” Both of Rayne’s hands covered her mouth. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

      Elisa stepped out of her fitting room with the champagne halter dress that Rayne had handed to her. “We’re wearing that dress.” She pointed to Serenity. “Turn around, girl.” She took Serenity by the hand, and led her in a ballerina twirl. “This is it, Rayne. What do you think?”

      “Stunning! But it’s up to you, ladies. Your dress is pretty too, Elisa.”

      “Uh-huh? Do you see how you said that? I think I prefer stunning over pretty!” Elisa called to their attendant. “Can you please bring that dress in my size? Thank you so much.”

      The girls laughed excitedly as the attendant quickly obliged. Elisa disappeared into the fitting room and emerged moments later, looking just as stunning as Serenity.

      “We’ve got our dresses!” Serenity squealed, slapping Elisa high five.

      “And I know just where to find the perfect shoes. Now let’s go eat. Ha!” Elisa dashed back to her room.

      Serenity took one last look at herself from varied angles offered by the multitude of mirrors and headed back to her fitting room, carrying a healthy dose of pride. When the doctor had warned her mother of possible impending diabetes, it had scared both of them. Serenity had supported her mom by changing her eating habits too. They had started out taking walks in the evening and eventually began jogging. Each month they tried something new, so they wouldn’t get bored with working out. Now they could both credit yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, boot camp and Pure Barre classes for better health and fit bodies.

      An hour later, the girls were chatting over drinks in one of their favorite Thai restaurants.

      “That was fun! At least there were no tears this time.” Elisa laughed. “We were such a mess when you found your dress, Rayne.”

      “She looked so beautiful!” Serenity said, with a reminiscent tilt and shake of her head.

      “She absolutely glowed. I could have sworn I heard harps playing in that bridal shop when she walked out of that dressing room. Ethan is going lose his mind when he sees you on your wedding day.”

      “Thank you. The moment I stepped into that dress, I knew it was the one.” Rayne paused and sipped her ginger martini. “Girls!” Elisa and Serenity looked up. “I’m getting married!” she sang. Rayne closed her eyes and squealed, flapping her hands in the air. Elisa and Serenity squealed along with her. “I can’t believe it!”

      The shrieks snagged the attention of the few patrons in the restaurant. Most smiled, signing off on their happy display.

      Laughing, Rayne shrunk into her shoulders. “Sorry,” she said to her collective audience.

      “I love Ethan. From the moment I met him, he became the big brother I never had.” Serenity leaned left to allow the waiter to place her sushi on the table.

      “I know. You did good, girl.” Elisa winked.

      “Speaking of Ethan, he asked about your date the other night. He laughed when I told him how horrific you said it was.” Rayne hid her smile behind the martini glass, sipped and stretched her eyes at Serenity.

      “Tell him I said it went like this...” Serenity put one hand over her throat and, with the other, she pretended to stick a finger into her mouth. The spectacle made Elisa cover her mouth to keep the wine she drank from spraying the table. Rayne, with her hand over her heart and her head back, laughed so hard she snorted, which propelled the girls into a frenzy of laughter until tears streaked their faces.

      “Oh—” Rayne tried to catch her breath “—I can’t believe I just did that!”

      Serenity’s sides ached. She panted in an attempt to pull herself together. Each time they calmed down, they would start all over again.

      “That’s why I love hanging with you, ladies,” Elisa said. “We can be totally silly. Clint doesn’t get it.” She referred to her boyfriend. “I told him that his friends didn’t know how to really have fun.”

      “I know. Ethan thinks we’re nuts too. And when I get home, I’m going to show him just what Serenity thought about that date.” Chuckles spread around the table once again. “Seriously, he actually hoped it would work out.”

      “I know. Just let him know I’m no longer interested in his matchmaking services.”

      “If we leave it up to you, your next date is likely to be with a floormate at your nursing home!” Elisa said matter-of-factly, before tossing a spicy tuna roll in her mouth.

      Serenity’s mouth opened and closed. “What?”

      “You always say you don’t have time to date.”

      “She’s right.” Rayne nodded her head vigorously. “That’s why Ethan has been on the case, trying to hook you up with his friends and colleagues.”

      “I’d make time for the right one.” Serenity squared her shoulders.

      “When?” Elisa and Rayne said at the same time.

      “Whatever!” Serenity waved her hand, dismissing their interrogation. Of course she didn’t have an answer. Up until recently,

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