“Exciting,” I said, though it came off unimpressed because I was jealous as hell that he talked to any girl that wasn’t me.
“Apparently, she’s being sent to some weeklong brand event that’s going to be all over social media.”
“Oh?” I said, not really knowing where this was going.
“She said that she needs, and I quote, ‘five killer outfits for each day with shoes and accessories.’ She knows you own a boutique and was hoping you could help. She also said it would offer great exposure for your store.”
“But…” my voice drifted off as my mind whirled.
“I know,” he said, understanding my loss for words. “I told her I’d let her know. So, no pressure.”
“Would you be there?” I asked him.
“If you want me there,” he said.
I cocked my head. “I don’t want you there. I need you there.”
“Then, I’m there.”
I pulled in a deep breath. I could do this. It would be baby steps. And Thayer would be by my side. “Let’s drive by the boutique.”
“Yeah?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I agreed, knowing that if I was ever going to do it, now was the time.
Thayer
“You got this,” I assured Giselle as we hopped out of my truck. It was dark in the back parking lot, and I wondered if we should have waited until morning to go inside.
She pulled her keys from her handbag as we approached the back door, and with an unsteady hand, she unlocked it. I wanted her to push through her nerves, so I waited patiently as she did.
Once the door was open, she just stood there. In an attempt to ease her trepidation, I stepped inside first. Police caution tape was wrapped around the entire area. I quickly yanked it down, following it all around the store until I’d retrieved it all. That’s all she needed to see—and be reminded of.
“Thanks,” Giselle said as I stuffed it into a nearby garbage container.
She switched on the lights, and her store looked the way it always did. There were no belts on the floor where I feared there may be, and none of the clothing racks had been tipped over. Thank fuck.
She quickly got to work neatening clothes on the racks, and I let her. She could do whatever she needed to do to feel comfortable in that space again.
I played some music on my phone, and the store felt a lot less morbid.
Giselle glanced over at me with a smirk. “You trying to get me to dance with you?”
I smiled. “Do you want to dance with me?”
Her smirk faded, and she turned to face me. “I don’t think I could ever be here alone again.”
My lips twisted regrettably. “Then, you’ll have someone with you at all times.”
She exhaled a shaky breath, and I could see just how terrified she was.
“Or, we could hire security.” I moved toward her and wrapped my arms around her. She sank into me willingly.
“We?” she asked.
“I’ll help you do whatever you need to feel safe,” I said. “This was your dream.”
“Do you think that Masie calling you was a sign?” she asked.