Page 81 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
I’d seen an ad for it when I’d been searching through local businesses that were hiring.
It wasn’t like I would be designing any clothing the way I’d imagined and dreamed, but there was still something about it that stuck out to me.
Like I might be able to fit in.
Be a part of someone else’s vision of fashion.
An A-frame sign sat out front, and words were written in swirly, pastel letters on the black chalkboard surface.
Join us for our Grand Opening Tomorrow
Twenty-five percent off all day!
Anticipation buzzed through every cell in my body.
Though I froze in it as a creeping sense washed over me from behind. A prickling sense that something was there. That feeling I’d run from for so long. Afraid that one day he would catch up to me.
Warily, I turned to peek over my shoulder.
A ton of people moved along the sidewalks, everyone minding their own business as they dashed to wherever they were going.
My attention jumped in each direction, trying to fish out where the sensation was coming from.
Nothing.
There was nothing there.
How were we ever going to find peace if I was forever looking over my shoulder? But God, I wanted to try. I wanted to tap into what Nelly had encouraged.
So I sucked down all the fear, drew in a steeling breath, and tossed open the glass door that was framed in white wood.
I wore my nicest coat that was white with faux fur around the collar. I’d paired it with fitted jeans, a flowy, floral blouse, and heeled boots that came up past my knees.
I’d tried to find something that felt trendy and cute and like I might fit in at the clothing boutique.
A bell jingled overhead, and I stepped into the prettiest store I’d ever seen.
Decorated in every shade of pink and white.
A large, crystal chandelier hung from the middle of the ceiling, and it cast the boutique in an almost glamorous vibe, though the shelves and wood floors had been whitewashed, which tempered the space in a swath of coziness.
Plush velvet seating areas were situated around the different women’s and children’s clothing displays, and there were a ton of pink and white bouquets set on the counters and tables.
Everything about the store was so cute that a ribbon of peace slipped around me like a bow.
Then I nearly hightailed it back out the door when I realized what I stumbled on.
There was a woman behind the counter that matched the rest of the décor, and a man was wrapped around her from behind.
The two of them were all cuddled up, and it was clear the man was itching to get closer.
Talk about awful timing.
I started to back away, but the woman lifted her head, no doubt jarred from their bubble by the sound of the bell.
She had warm blond hair and welcome on her face, and I couldn’t help but timidly smile in return, trying to get myself together enough that I didn’t completely ruin the chance of getting a job.
“Hi, I hope it’s okay that I just came in, but I saw that you are hiring?” I chanced.
