Page 45 of Beautiful Dreamer

Did she steal long looks at Elizabeth every time she caught sightof her across the store? Maybe. Did she count the minutes until their Wednesdaynight date? Absolutely. Only twenty-eight hours to go…

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What in the world was a girl supposed to wear for a date with ahigh-powered real estate broker whose gaze she welcomed, whose attention shesought, but whom she didn’t want to scare the hell off with how interestedshe’d become in just the few days since they’d first kissed? This was thequestion that had plagued Elizabeth since the early afternoon, when she beganto anticipate their evening.

She held up a black top and faced Scout. “Too serious? It feelssophisticated, and I’m really not capable of vast sophistication.”

Scout walked to her and placed a paw on her shoe.

“Thank you for the support. No black.”

She shook her head in frustration with herself. Elizabeth wasnever at a loss for what to wear. She liked clothes a lot and generally worewhat made her feel happy, comfortable, or pretty. Today felt noticeablydifferent. The stakes seemed so much higher. She liked the way Devyn looked ather when her eyes got dark and steamy looking. She wanted more of that, cravedit even, and the right outfit might make or break her chances.

“What are you doing?”

“Jesus,” Elizabeth said, leaping three feet into the air andgrabbing her chest. “Where did you come from?”

KC blinked back at her, adjusting her ponytail. “I let myself in,like I have the nine billion other times I’ve stopped by. But when I calledyour name, you didn’t answer.” She knelt to give Scout some love.

“Oh.” Elizabeth paused, remembering KC had just come from a job.“How did things go with Mr. Ivers?”

“He wanted two Big Macs this time. I talked him out of friesbecause of that new medication. He’s gotta watch his salt. Delivered with asmile as always.”

“Well done on the fries. I’m making you employee of the month.”

“I get a plaque or it didn’t happen.” KC studied her like ascience textbook. “What are you doing? Why are there clothes all over the floorof your normally spotless closet?”

Elizabeth deflated like the sad little balloon she was. “Justlooking for something to put on.” She raised her arm at the pile of clothes andlet it drop. “I don’t know what to wear and I’m over it.”

“Calm down.”

“I can’t.”

KC tilted her head and dropped her bag. She took a seat on theedge of the bathtub just outside the closet. “Why are you behaving like afourteen-year-old on your way to a dance?”

“Because that’s kind of an accurate parallel. You’re going to be agreat mom when Gray is older, by the way. Very intuitive.”

“Thank you. By that same token, fit throwing will not make theclothes magically march their way onto your body. So, let’s talk about thesource of your troubles here.”

Elizabeth sighed, giving in and recapturing her God-givenmaturity. “I have a date with Devyn Winters tonight, and I want it to go well.There. I just admitted everything to you and the universe. I hope you’relistening,” she yelled to the heavens.

KC’s smile was slow to start but took up half the room once it gotgoing. “What now? What did you just say?” She cupped her ear. “You’re a saucyperson who keeps secrets from your best pal.”

“I aspire to be that, but my clothes are not cooperating. Look,I’m woefully just a regular person who will never attract a woman.”

“And Devyn is the woman you want to attract? Why haven’t I beentold?”

Elizabeth waved her off. “It’s new. She’s fun, and impressive, andvery pretty, as you know.”

“Mmm-hmm. What else?”

“A good kisser.”

“I will murder you.”

“You should, but not before this date.”

A pause.

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