Page 78 of Born to Make You Smile

“I’m going to hold off on the gifts for now and wait until closer to Christmas,” I said as we entered Harry Rosen.

Dorina picked a Tom Ford dress shirt for her father, and my jaw about dropped when I spotted the four-digit price tag. We continued to walk around the store, and a patterned navy-bluesilk tie caught my eye. I knew the tie would look fantastic with Gavin’s new wardrobe. It was around $150. Reasonable but still pricey.

“Get it,” Dorina said, nudging me. “He’ll love it.”

We were almost done when we passed by a small dress boutique. The mannequin in the window was draped in a beautiful, long black gown. It had a V-neck, banded waist, and a thigh-high slit. The mannequin was about my size too, curvy with a larger bust and hips. God. I would look like a knockout in that. But my stomach sank. It likely cost a fortune.

Of course, Dorina had me try it on.

“You need to get it for the wedding.” She stroked the chiffon skirt of the dress with a smile. “It’s the last one in your size.”

The gown was somewhat reasonable, on sale for $300. But I knew after spending $150 on the tie, I couldn’t afford more.

“I already have a dress,” I stated with a forced smile.

“Listen. You know I love your little black dress, but you need something new. You need this!” she cheered, then leaned in and lowered her voice. “Your tits are edible.”

I chuckled, thinking about Gavin’s reaction. God, he’d go crazy for me in this. Then reality hit again. “I can’t. If it wasn’t Christmastime. But things are bad right now.”

“How bad? Even working at the club?”

I turned my head to find my reflection, realizing how incredible my back looked. The longer I wore this damn dress, the more I fell in love.

“The house is in bad shape. It’s like every time I walk into it, something goes wrong, and it’s another grand down the hole.” I frowned. The house was everything to my mom. She’d told me my father tried to get it during the divorce, but she fought tooth and nail to keep it. “I can’t lose the house, Dor.”

“No, no.” She touched my arm. “You won’t. I can help. Let me help.”

I shook my head, heading back into the changing room to get out of this tempting dress that was starting to become a part of me. “Thanks, Dor. If it comes to the point where I need you,really need you,I’ll let you know.”

Our final stop was her cousin’s jewelry store on Bay Street. A large sign on the window read GOLD AND DIAMOND BUYER. If only I had something to sell. I highly doubt he’d want my cubic zirconia studs from Walmart.

Dorina introduced me to her cousin Marcelo, an older burly man with black hair. He wore a shiny blue dress shirt and so many rings I could hardly see his fingers.

After Dorina picked up the gold and diamond earrings for her mom, Marcelo turned to me.

“Can I interest you in anything, Grace?” he asked with a thick accent. “Family discount. For you.”

“He has the best diamonds in the city,” Dorina said.

I waved my hand and smiled politely. “No thanks, Marcelo. I’m good.”

***

By December, Toronto burst with Christmas cheer. A light dusting of snow had fallen, and festive lights and decor were up all over the city. Gavin and I were with the girls one Sunday at the St. Lawrence Market. The building was jam-packed with people—walking, buying, eating. Despite the chaos, I actually enjoyed the hustle and bustle of people. Not surprisingly, my favorite part was sampling the goods from the vendors—the smorgasbord of cheeses, breads, and desserts. I was in heaven.

The girls were delighted that I’d been spending more time with them the past month, being there each Friday for pizza and gamenight. I wasn’t sure if they were catching on, but Gavin and I were sure not to give any hint of affection around them. It was extremely difficult not to hold his hand or give him a small kiss. My body craved his touch, and I worried I’d forget and reach out for him accidentally.

“Let’s stop and get some fish and chips,” Gavin stated, pointing at the sign up ahead. “You know, just for thehal-i-but.”

I gave his terrible joke a sympathy giggle.

He leaned in close. His scent caused a flutter in me. “You liked that one, didn’t you?”

I shook my head with a smirk. “Top ten for sure.”

Sometimes it was strange to reconcile this corny dad Gavin with the uninhibited and dominating Gavin in the bedroom. Although I loved being able to observe and experience both sides of him.

“I want fish and chips. But I don’t want the sauce. I hate sauce,” said Mackenzie. “Why do people put creamy sauce on everything? Gross.”

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