Page 16 of Lighting Up Christmas

“Wear it Friday.”

“What? I’m finishing up outdoor Christmas lights on the houses of five more clients Friday. I’ll be up and down ladders and on roofs all day.”

Sophia laughed.

“At my birthday party at the shop, you goof. Remember? It’s a holiday dress thirty party. You promised to play bartender. Did I mention it’s a dress party?”

“About thirty times,” Riley said. “Good thing I like blue.” She tried to smile.

“And blue loves you.”

“I’m not supposed to dress up for Thanksgiving at your folks’ am I? Or Christmas?”

“No. It’s always casual. They know we’re working. But for the thirty dress party, wear the dress or I will put this on the shop’s Insta.” Sophia snapped a picture of Riley sticking out her tongue.

*

The dress waspretty stunning. Riley looked at herself in her full-length, antique mirror Friday night, turning one way and then another. It was already dark. She’d decorated the outside of her bungalow along Bear Creek for Christmas even though her brothers and cousins weren’t coming home. Riley was trying not to take it personally and not to dwell, with various levels of success.

At least she wouldn’t be totally alone.

She had Sophia.

And her own need to help Sophia through the first Christmas without Enrique, which was why she needed to get herself in gear and get over to Lost and Found Objects. Sophia and their friends were waiting.

It was probably going to turn into a shopping party, knowing their friends and their constant quest for self-care, which often involved spa days, wine, and shopping.

Self-care. That must just be the excuse they used for fun. Riley didn’t crave escape. She loved her job. Had big dreams about expanding. She enjoyed teaching and mentoring. And she also had her lighting designs for relaxation. Sure, she didn’t have time for much, but it was fun to go to flea markets and barn sales with Sophia and steal an hour or two to work on a new light. What else could she need?

Her stomach rumbled. She snapped a selfie of herself to prove to Sophia that, yes, she was on her way and, yes, she was wearing the dress. She laughed. Maybe this coming year she would be better at eating during the day. And learn to cook more than a handful of basics.

“Note to self,” she murmured.

She swiped on mascara and then, as an impulse, she dug through a drawer to find an eyeliner and some glitter her stepmom had purchased for her birthday. Riley hadn’t worn much makeup since…well, never really.

But the dress demanded more.

And she wanted Sophia to feel supported.

Let it never be said she was stuck in a rut, unwilling to try something new.

So glam queen it was! She would just have to be careful as she helped Sophia with the last-minute preparations for the party. The makeup would probably rub off during the evening but hopefully not on the dress or any of Sophia’s merchandise.

She traced over the black line that she’d extended well beyond her eye in a pop star style, added a dash of royal-blue, glittery eyeliner and then fanned her face, hoping it would dry before she got glitter all over her eyelids.

Riley carefully outlined her lips and added a neutral tone. With her bright hair, she felt that red lipstick would look out of place. She gently ran a brush through her full hair and gave it a light spray that was advertised to minimize frizz and curl. She’d spent thirty minutes blow drying and flattening it, and she wanted it to look good at least long enough to make it through the door.

She made a face at her unfamiliar look and headed for the door to grab a cashmere wrap scarf—that would be fine for the ride into town. Just as she tucked her phone in her purse, it rang.

She didn’t hesitate to answer.

“It’s Zhang Shi.”

“Yes, Zhang.” She jammed her feet into the black high heels she’d ordered on Amazon and nearly fell on her first step. “Great,” she muttered.

Silence.

Dang it. He was a client. Hopefully. At some point in the future.

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