Page 24 of If I Didn’t Have You

“Not with the friends and family discount.”

There was no way I’d allow that. Ellie hadn’t been running her store regularly since the incident, and even with Alyssa opening the shop for her, it just wasn’t the same.

“So, do you want me to save that dress you wore into the shop?” Ellie smirked.

I glanced at Georgia, laughing for unknown reasons. I felt lighter than I had in years, younger than I should at this age, and ready for whatever new adventures awaited me.

“Burn it.”

The girls cheered just as the front door opened and Cassidy rushed through, tossing her purse aside as she skidded to a stop. “What did I miss—hot damn, Mrs. Parker!”

“Clara. God, I won’t feel any younger if people keep calling me Mrs. Parker.”

I turned back to the mirror and gave myself a once-over. This was really me. I was the younger-looking woman in the mirror staring back. Those were my curves, and though I could stand to get in shape, I was pleased with how I looked overall.

“Are you going to try on something as well, Georgia?”

“Yes,” I spun, facing my friend. “Cassidy’s right. You need a makeover as well.”

“Oh, I don’t⁠—”

“We have to stick together. Wasn’t that what you were telling me earlier?”

“But I⁠—”

I was already pushing her toward the dressing room while Ellie sized her up, gauging her for the right look.

“Really, I don’t think anything in this shop will fit me!”

“Nonsense. You’re skinnier than I am. And there has to be someone in town you’ve got your eye on.”

She blushed bright red, but fought me the whole way. I shoved her into a dressing room just as Ellie brought an outfit for her, along with promises of more to come.

As for me, I continued to try on outfit after outfit, not stopping until I had an entire wardrobe of new clothes. Even then, there was more here than I would ever wear, but I intended to get rid of everything in my closet. If I was going to change myself, I had to get rid of the old me.

“Um…what about…” I shot Ellie a look, hoping she understood what I meant when my eyes darted over to her delicates section.

“I think we can find a thing or two for you. Would you like something for a special occasion?”

I flushed bright red at the implication. “Heck no. I think that would give him a heart attack. Let’s just start with the basics for now.”

“Maybe a heart attack is what he needs,” she winked.

As much as I wanted to steer things in a different direction in the bedroom, I just wasn’t there yet. Sex had been hit and miss between us for a long time. What used to be passionate was now mundane, and despite needing his touch more than anything, I found myself rolling away to avoid feeling like a chore instead of a desire.

So, for now, sex was off the table. The first thing I needed to focus on was me. After that was done, I could think about other matters.

8

BEN

I stepped back and stared at the demolished wall, held up with support beams we stuck in so the whole fucking house didn’t collapse on us. The house was coated in dust, and the plastic tarp rattled in the wind, making the most obnoxious sound.

But it was for Clara, and by God, I was not going to be the selfish prick Liam made me out to be earlier today. I’d make this the best goddamn house for her, and she’d love it.

“That’s it for me today,” Liam said, taking off his belt. “Bailey texted that dinner’s almost ready.”

I stared longingly into my kitchen, wondering when my dinner was going to be made. Clara hadn’t returned all day, and I was beginning to think she wasn’t going to.