I can’t help but admire how the boots really do add a touch of edginess to the outfit. The combination of the navy dress and the boots somehow feels like me, butmore. Lily’s definitely got an eye for this sort of thing.
“Lily, this looks …” I say, shaking my head in surprise.
“See? You look amazing. Totally date-worthy.” Lily steps back, appraising my look with a satisfied nod.
I twirl around slowly, chuckling. “I feel like a new person. Thanks to you.”
“Seriously, it was nothing. I’m happy to help,” she beams, as her phone buzzes in her purse. She glances at it and smiles. “Sorry, gotta take this. It’s London.”
As she steps out of the room to answer the call, I take the moment to breathe. In the mirror, I see a reflection of myself looking confident, almost daring.
Not quite my alter-ego daring, but I’ll take it.
It’s a nice change from the usual gym clothes or my writer’s uniform.
The sound of my own phone ringing snaps me out of my reverie. I glance at the caller ID and see it’s Grandma. Picking it up, I brace myself for her usual blend of bluntness and inappropriateness.
“Hey, Grandma, what’s up?”
“Carlie, dear, there’s a very hunky young man with enormous arms looking lost on our porch. Is he for you?” Grandma’s voice is laced with mirth.
I freeze, my heart doing a little skip. “Uhm, might be.”
“Hubba hubba. He’s easy on the eyes. You want me to keep him entertained until you get down?” Her tone suggests she wouldn’t mind one bit.
“Grandma, no. Dear god,no. I’ll be right down,” I say, panic and excitement nearly making me jump out of my skin.
Adam’s here.
Already.
I glance at my bedside clock as my heart picks up speed.
He’s early.
Rushing to give myself one last look in the mirror, I smooth down my dress and take a deep breath.
This is it.
My first real date in what feels like forever.
I could not have predicted this a week ago.
Lily says her goodbyes to London and hangs up as I make my way to the door. “Lily, I gotta go. He’s here?—”
Lily claps, her grin dazzling. “Go get him, tiger. I’ll lock up and let myself out once you’re gone. And remember,breathe. Have fun!”
“Breathe, right,” I say, trying and failing at doing it.
A flurry of hummingbirds take flight in my stomach but I step out of my room, grab my purse and keys, then make my way down the stairs. Each step is filled with a blend of eagerness and trepidation as my muscles remind me they still haven’t forgiven me.
As I reach the door, I pause, taking another stab at a deep breath.
I can do this.
It’s just Adam.
The same Adam who’s seen me sweat and struggle at the gym. We engaged in partner yoga and went viral on Instagram.