Page 48 of The Now in Forever
Anh brings out two glasses of champagne, handing me one and clinking it with hers. She sits in the other chair and sighs. “I could get used to this.”
“You could probably afford places like this with your fancy lawyer salary,” I say, sipping the light bubbly liquid.
Anh laughs. “Yes, I probably could. It’s the vacations I don’t usually get to take. This is the first time off I’ve taken in…” She pauses, searching the clouds for answers. “God, in two years. That can’t be right.” She sips her drink and nods slowly. “Two years. When Melissa and I went to Cabo.” She lets out a sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh.
I sit forward in my chair, putting my hand on her arm.
“It’s no wonder Melissa wanted someone more fun. She actually told me that. She said Stephanie’s lighter, less serious. She said we never laugh anymore.”
“Honey, you both work a lot. You can’t beat yourself up for being good at your job.”
“Sure. At what cost, though? For years, I was so focused on trying to make partner. I just never thought it would cost me mine.”
I rub a hand on Anh’s back.
She looks up. “You know what else? I haven’t actually read one of the books for book club since we went to Puerto Rico.”
I drop my hand, more out of shock than anything. “Really?”
“I’ve just been so busy, and I read all day for work. When I get home, I just want to throw on sweats and watchBelow Deck. I don’t want to think anymore.” She puts her head in her hands.
I rub her back again. I can’t believe she never read the books. On the Zoom calls, she always spoke so eloquently about them. But now doesn’t seem the time to bring it up. “It doesn’t matter.”
We sit silently for a minute, but then, I can’t help it. I ask. “You didn’t even read the ones you picked?”
Her whole body slumps, fresh tears welling up in the corner of her eyes again.
I quickly add, “It’s okay. It’s fine.”
After Anh calms down, we head out to find dresses for the party. We stop in a nearby boutique, and Anh finds a gorgeous purple silk dress that falls on her tall frame like it was made for her. She doesn’t even look at the tag before trying it on. I peek at the prices, swallow back my discomfort, and head to the small sale section. There is a black backless dress with complicated spaghetti straps in the front that’s a reasonable price. I try it on, and Anh purses her lips.
“It’s alright.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I mean, you look great, as always, but the straps are a little dated.”
She flits about the store, bringing me three other dresses, again not even checking the tags. I try on the light-blue chiffon dress, which has a long sheer layered skirt and plunging V neckline with a matching one in the back. The blue almost exactly matches the shade of my eyes and makes them stand out even more.
I come out of the dressing room to look at it in the three-way mirror. It’s stunning. Truly. I feel like a fairy princess and twirl, the soft skirt flowing around my calves.
Anh gasps. “That’s the one.”
My stomach drops when I check the tag. Why didn’t I check it before I tried it on? I can’t afford this.
“It’s not really me.”
Anh, sharp as a tack, shakes her head. “I’ve never seen any article of clothing that is moreyou.”
“I… I don’t know.”
Anh frowns. “I’ll buy it.”
I open my mouth to protest, but she holds up her finger. “No arguing. I’m on vacation.”
Anh getsready first then scrolls her phone with a glass of champagne while I have my turn. I take extra time with my makeup. I’m trying to decide if I should put my hair up or leave it down, when I hear a gasp from the other room, then a large clatter and shattering glass.
I run out. Anh is heaving, her white knuckles wrapped tightly around her phone, a collection of glass shards and champagne in a puddle on the floor near her feet.
