“Look, I’ve known that young man his entire life. I’ve seen him grow from a shy kid—who’d been dealt a tough hand because his father was never in the picture—into a handsome and responsible adult. And yes, he went through a terrible ordeal. But his heart has healed over time. And, Dot, you’ve been a big part of that. So, maybe you should tell him how you feel.”
“And how do you thinkhefeels?” Dot asked.
“I think he’s head over heels,” she said. “But I think he needs a little push.”
Dot’s stomach fluttered at the thought.
Chapter 63
With Jeanie’s encouragement, Dot thought about the little push she might give Danny to see if they were going to take this to the next level or... Well, she didn’t want to think about the “or” just now.
Danny was planning to have her over for dinner at his house on Friday night. He was going to cook for her. She was already thinking of what she’d wear and wanted to stop into the Couture Closet to see if there was anything new that she’d like to get for that evening. If everything went well, itcouldbe the night that decided the rest of her life. She started to allow herself to imagine Danny moving to New York, remodeling the expensive town houses on the Upper West Side.
In her mind, she could picture their runs in the park, dinner at Joanne’s during open mic night, weekends in the Hudson Valley at cozy bed and breakfasts. Letting her mind wander to these possibilities put a pep in her step.
After wrapping up at the office, she walked a couple of blocks down Main Street and ducked into the shop. She immediately took in the scent of fallen leaves and crisp air. She noticed a Yankee Candle next to the register: Autumn Daydream. “Nailed it,” she thought.
A rack of cashmere wrap dresses in dark gray, hunter green, navy, and black caught her eye, and she started looking through them.
“Dot? Is that you?”
Dot didn’t recognize the voice. She turned and saw Maddy, Zoe, Lauren, and Marissa. Ugh. The Cedar Falls townies. And she was outnumbered without The Crew or Danny with her.
“Oh, hi. How are you?” Dot asked, summoning up some enthusiasm to sound sincere.
“Fine, thanks,” Maddy said, her friends standing behind her like backup singers. “Hey, I’ve been wanting to have a word. Do you have a second?”
“Sure. Go ahead,” Dot said, feeling on guard.
“You’re dating Danny, right?”
“Well, yes. We’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.”
“Is it exclusive?”
“Why?”
“Because Sadie was my best friend. I was going to be the maid of honor at their wedding,” Maddy said. “And, as you know, they never got married because she and her daughter were killed in the accident.”
“Yes, I know. I’m so sorry.”
“And here’s the thing. You’re a New Yorker, right? You don’t seem the type that would ever want tolivein Cedar Falls. It’s way too small for a city girl like yourself, isn’t it?”
Dot stared at her.
“If you care about him, why would you risk breaking his heart again, if you don’t plan to stay?Thatwill hurt him. It will set him back. I think it’s cruel, if you ask me.” Maddy crossed her arms over her chest.
“Well, I, I...” Dot was at a loss for words. She just wanted to bolt out of the shop and go home.
“Look, if you think New York is so great,Dorothy,” Marissa chimed in with a mouth full of snark. “Why don’t you just click your heels three times?” Maddy and the other townies laughed. “There’s no place likehome, right?”
Dot’s cheeks stung with the hurt and embarrassment. She couldn’t think of anything to say and didn’t want to cry in front of them. This was like a scene out ofMean Girls.
“Excuse me,” she said quietly, holding her head as high as she could while moving to the door.
“He won’t leave Cedar Falls, you know,” Maddy said to Dot’s back.
Dot let the door close behind her. She reached for the bracelet her sister had sent, took a deep breath, and quickly started walking home, fighting back tears.