Page 5 of Deadly Protector
“I love you, but you’ve got to save the excitement for later and help me!” Panic had started to set in. This didn’t feel like the casual lunch meetups from before and she wasn’t sure why. “Maybe I should just cancel—”
“No. Okay, check Elisa’s closet. There are four dresses in there, any of which will be perfect for you.”
“What? Why?” she asked as she stepped out into the hallway and headed to her daughter’s room.
“You can’t be mad at me, but Elisa said that she thought you’d be going out on dates while they were gone and that you couldn’t wear anything in your closet. She said…you’d end up looking like a beach bum. And then she had some other choice words about your clothing.”
Zamira’s mouth fell open even as she reached Elisa’s closet. “Oh my God, she left me a note. What is wrong with that child?”
“What’s it say?”
Zamira snorted as she read it. “It says ‘Don’t be mad at Tia C. She’s just trying to help you. And you need her help. You need all the help, Mama.’ I swear, that child.” Sighing, she looked back at her sister, who was clearly fighting a laugh. “I don’t know if I should be mad or not.”
“No time for that. Grab the dresses, then head back to your room. You’ve got better lighting there. I suggest the emerald green one because you are glowing right now and it will look stunning on you.”
“Then I’m trusting you.” It had a bit more lace than she was used to but the dress was so pretty. And feminine. Her daughter was right—she’d have likely dressed in a beach dress or more likely beach-casual clothing because it was her comfort zone. But great things didn’t come from comfort zones and she knew she needed to get out of hers. At least for tonight. Because even a couple months ago she’d have said no to a man asking her out to dinner. “Give me a minute,” she said, setting her phone down as she quickly stripped off her robe and pulled the dress on.
It was sleeveless with a boat neck, and hugged her body perfectly, as if it had been made for her. It sort of flared right before her knees and wow, it really did look amazing.
“Let me see!” Clarita’s voice called out.
Picking up the phone, she turned it so that Clarita could see her in the door mirror.
“It’s perfect,” Clarita sighed. “I wish I was there right now.”
“This isn’t prom.” Though it felt more exciting than prom. And she hoped this night ended better than her own prom since her date had puked on her shoes.
“So what, you look amazing and I’m allowed to be excited. Wear medium-sized rose gold earrings, no bracelet because you’ll fidget with it, and the dress doesn’t need a necklace. Oh, and wear those cute sparkly sandals that wrap around your ankles. The ones with the faux-looking pearls and rose gold beads.”
“The ones you gave me?”
“Yep.” Clarita grinned. “And leave your hair down. Your curls are gorgeous. Oh my God, you’re gorgeous. I hope you have fun tonight. Text me when you get home, I don’t care how late. Unless you go to his place after,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows. “And then text me in the morning with details.”
Which just made Zamira laugh. “That won’t be happening, trust me. But I’ll text you regardless. And maybe don’t tell Mama about this yet?” She wasn’t ready to deal with questions or “suggestions” on men to date yet.
“I promise.” Clarita glanced over at the sound of her husband Carlos’s voice, then turned back to Zamira. “Carlos said he won’t tell either. And he says to have fun.”
“Thank you guys. I love you both.” After she hung up and slipped on the sandals her sister had been right about—they were perfect—the doorbell rang.
Oh God, this was it. The first date she’d been on in over a decade. She could do this.
Hopefully.
