Page 15 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

Bella lets out a cry of triumph and taps one of them. “Look at this. A dance tomorrow night. Barn dance… looks like they’re adding space outside to accommodate more people. Tickets are only twenty-five per person.”

“Excellent,” I agree. “It will be perfect for us to attend. It’s been a long time since I went to a dance.”

“Me, too,” Bella says. She smooths her dark hair behind her ear. “Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out for anything like this.”

There’s no point in asking why. I already know why.

“A small town is the best place to dip your toes back in the water, then,” I say cheerfully. “And as an added challenge, I think we should both set some personal goals for the dance.”

She lifts one eyebrow at me. “What sort of personal goals?”

“I’m going to dance with three women,” I say. “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that.”

Bella’s cheeks turn red. “Ah. I don’t know if I want to do something like that.”

“That’s fine. Our goals don’t have to be the same.” We return to our table. “So what will your goal be?”

She considers, swirling her lemonade in her glass. “I will… talk to three people I don’t know.”

I grin at her. “That’s terrific!”

Her blush deepens. “It’s not much.”

“So? It’s still something.”

She gives me a tentative smile. “The notice said that the dress code is semi-formal. I’d like to check the fabric shop to see if I can get a sewing machine and some fabric to make Ellen and me dresses.”

“I don’t think you need to wear a dress.”

“But I would like to have something to do.” Bella leans back in her chair. “And it’s been a long time since I’ve worked on one of my own designs. I really don’t have the time to make something fantastic, but I can make something decent for a barn dance.”

Her eyes light up as she talks. I haven’t seen her this animated since we came here, and my interest is piqued.

I rest my hands on the table. “Don’t you work in fashion design?”

“Yes.”

“Then how come it’s been a while since you’ve made something you designed?”

Bella bites her lip. “Well, I’m always busy working with Imogen. That takes up a lot of my time, and I usually end up sewing her designs when I sew at all.”

“I see. But if you want to work on your own designs, why don’t you bring them to her?” I press. “Wouldn’t she be able to help you move forward?”

“I don’t have anything that’s ready. I don’t want to share my designs until I know they’re the best they can be,” she explains.

I nod slowly. “So you’re a perfectionist.”

Bella laughs. “I suppose I am. That isn’t to say I don’t have my own dreams. What I want to do is to create a clothing line that I can produce for people of all price ranges. Both ethically made and inexpensive.”

“Ethically made?”

“Good, safe conditions for workers who are paid good wages,” she explains. “With as little waste as possible.”

“Right. And you want it accessible to all price ranges?”

Bella nods eagerly. “I want to have dedicated thrift stores where people can donate their clothes for credit when buying new things. Then I can resell the clothes they donate at a lower price so that people who can’t afford to buy new can still buy.”

“What’s to stop people from buying second-hand clothes and donating them again for the credit?” I ask.

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