Page 51 of The Lake House

I giggle. “I’ll tell you soon, I promise. How about this one?” I ask, pulling a black strapless dress from the rack for Liv to see. “It’s so classy and elegant.”

Liv gasps, smiles, and comes toward me. “That is so pretty! I think you’ll look fab in it!”

I offer her a smirk, tilting my head. “I was talking about for you. My ass would stick out too much in it, and where would I go to wear this?”

“It would not! It would look great on you. And anywhere!” Liv then spins around and brings her attention to the nearest rack of clothing to her, skimming through pink and lavender blouses. “No, but seriously, how about on your next date with Declan? Which, by the way, I’m still waiting on details from last night…” She turns back to face me, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

I ignore it and shift my head from left to right, eyeing the dress. It is absolutely gorgeous and totally my style. I check the price tag and see it’s on sale, too. Should I just buy it to have for a special occasion? I mean, I know I have nothing coming up.

But it is a pretty fabulous dress...

“Liv, I don’t even know what Declan has in mind for next time, but last night was pretty great.” I offer her a cheesy grin, rubbing it in.

“Ugh! One day you’ll tell me how your date went!” She throws her hands up in exasperation.

I chuckle.

She shrugs and plants one hand on her hip. “But it doesn’t even matter where you go. That’s the type of dress that you can wear to something really formal or casual depending on the shoes. You can dress it up any way you like.”

She has a point. I can totally see this with nice stilettos or even sandals and a denim jacket over it.

I nod. “You know what? You’re right, Mrs. Olivia Carmichael. I’m going to snatch this right up!”

Her face lights up even more than it already is. She’s got this glow about her; I just don’t know what it is. “Yas, girl! Get it!”

I chuckle as we take our findings and walk toward the register to get in line. There’s only three people before us and two girls working behind the register, so it shouldn’t be too much longer, I hope. Liv had picked up a couple of shirts for Josie and a new pajama set for herself. I wasn’t really planning on buying anything, but this dress...

This dress is just amazing.

* * *

“This is still one of my favorite spots from when we were kids,” Liv says, scarfing down a slice of pizza.

After I had mentioned to her that Declan and I ate at Zio Peppe’s on our date, she demanded we go, saying she had a craving that she couldn’t contain. Of course, I agreed. Plus, how could I say no to Zio Peppe’s?

I drink from my cup, nodding. “Same. I was thrilled when Declan took me here last night.”

“Uh huh… I bet you were…” She eyes me sideways and I laugh.

I nod and know it’s time to fill her in. “So he showed up to my door right on time with a massive bouquet of the most gorgeous flowers I’ve ever seen.”

Her eyes widen, and she leans forward in her seat, placing her hands under her chin.

“Then he brought me here to the fair—”

“Where you ate amazing Zio Peppe’s pizza,” she cuts me off, finishing my sentence for me.

“Yes,” I respond, nodding again. “Then we walked around for a little while and rode the Ferris Wheel… it was amazing.”

Her smile is evident, and she can’t hide it if she tries. “And that’s when he kissed you…”

I shake my head, grinning. “Unfortunately not. There was no first kiss last night.”

Her eyes bulge out of her head. “What?!”

“Nope. Not a single one.”

“What about good night?”

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