Decision Made

I sigh. “I think you’re right, Jessica. It seems I’m overthinking everything.”

“Of course, you are. So what’s it going to be?”

“I’m going to have lunch with Sam,” I say with a smile.

“That’s my girl!” Jessica squeals happily. “So… you’re going to need a new dress, and I’m going to be your fairy godmother.”

“Jess, I have a closet full of dresses; I don’t need a new one,” I inform her.

“Are you crazy? You’re going on a date with a freaking billionaire, Nicey. You need a new dress, and that’s final. You should be thankful that you have a talented stylist cum fashionista like me as your friend. Now get up, let’s go.”

I groan out loud. I’m not in the mood for shopping, much less with Jessica, who has an expensive taste in everything. She’ll probably make me spend all of my profit on just one silly dress.

“If I must buy a new dress, I’ll be the one to choose,” I tell her with a serious face.

Jessica sucks her teeth loudly in disapproval. “Eunice the miser. I have never seen a woman who shies away from shopping as much as you do. It’s weird.”

“Are you in or out?” I ask her. “I get to choose the dress.”

“So why am I going with you?”

“For moral support. And because this dress shopping thing is your idea.”

“Whatever,” she says nonchalantly, but I know she’s excited.

On our way out, I inform my staff that I am going out and will not be returning for the rest of the day. I also instruct Jamie to go ahead and lock up the store at closing time.

Despite my initial reservation, I find myself feeling excited as Jessica and I get into her car and head to her boutique. Halfway through our ride, something occurs to me.

“He said he would text me, but I didn’t give him my number,” I say quietly.

“Who?” Jessica asks me.

“Sam. When he was leaving my office, he said he would call me, but he didn’t ask for my number.”

“Don’t be silly. If he could find your shop address, what’s your phone number that he can find as well?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Honey, I’m always right.”

I laugh at Jessica’s usual humor and settle back in my seat. But then, another thought occurs to me.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit creepy that he tracked me down just to ask me out on a date?” I ask my friend.

“It would be creepy if he was broke.”

We both laugh and spend the rest of the trip making jokes about how Sam might turn out to be an axe murderer. Or maybe the Sam who showed up at my store today was an imposter. I laughed so much that every bit of apprehension I felt before melted away.

When we arrive at Jessica’s boutique, she takes me straight to the premium collection section. Every single item there looks like something straight from a runway.

“Have no fear, my darling. I’m going to give you a hefty discount once you’ve made your choice,” Jessica says.

“Oh, I’m not worried about the price,” I tell her with a wave of my hand. “But Jessica, these dresses are fire!”

“Thank you, my love. Listen, have a look at them, and if you don’t find anything suitable for you, we’ll go to the real designer boutiques to find you something better.”

“But these are designers too.”

“I know. Some clients prefer to shop in the place that carries the same label as the dress they’re buying.”

“You know I don’t care about that,” I say with a laugh. “Alright, let the shopping begin!”

Jessica pulls out several dresses from the rack and makes me try them on one after the other. By the time I try on the fourth dress, I’m exhausted and ready to quit.

I don’t understand how some women enjoy doing this all day. If I have to try one more dress, I’ll probably rip my hair out of my scalp!

“I think this one is nice,” I tell Jessica wearily.

“Liar. You’re tired, aren’t you?”

“Look, it’s just lunch, ok? I don’t have to wear anything too fancy.”

“Maybe if you were going on a date with some random guy. Not with a freaking billionaire!”

“He’s still a random guy. I don’t really know him like that.”

“Still, if you knock his socks off on your first date, then there might be a second and a third until you become his girlfriend.”

“You wish!” I laugh, but Jessica doesn’t join me.

“I don’t like how you think of yourself,” she says soberly. “You’re a beautiful, intelligent, and amazing woman, Eunice. I wish you’d see that and realize that you’re good enough for the Sam Ewings of this world.”

I’m touched by her words, and I feel my eyes stinging a little. Jessica isn’t the type of person to flatter anyone or throw compliments around. If my friend thinks that I’m a badass, then it means she truly believes it.

Maybe it’s time for me to start believing I’m all that and more too. Maybe it’s time for me to stop living in the shadows of my past and start embracing this new me.

“You’re right,” I say softly. “I’m good enough.”

Jessica grins. “Now, you’re talking. So, are you ready to try on a few more dresses? Tomorrow’s about to be lit, and you need to go with all your guns blazing.”

“I don’t have guns, Jess.”

“It’s a metaphor!”

“Yeah, whatever. Ok, next dress!”

“I don’t understand why I’m more excited about this date than you are.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re a hopeless romantic who is too optimistic for her own good.”

Jessica laughs. “Life is hard enough already. Optimism keeps me sane.”

“Good for you.”

“Now, check this beauty out,” says Jessica, holding up a black sequined dress that looks too good to be a lunch date outfit.

When Jessica notices my skeptical facial expression, she says, “Go big or go home, huh?”

“Go home,” I respond flatly, and she laughs again. “Come on, Jess. Let’s get this over with. Next!”