Page 82 of What Goes Around

Marissa lit up. “Oh sweetheart, yes. That color was made for you.”

Apple vanished into a fitting room within seconds.

Then Marissa noticed me standing a few steps behind.

“Oh! Ashley, you should look around too. Pick anything you like.”

I moved slowly through the store, my fingers trailing across fabric while my eyes tracked my mother’s body language.

Every time I picked something structured, bold, or expensive-looking, she stiffened.

When Apple reemerged and twirled dramatically in the mirror, Marissa gasped like she’d just witnessed a miracle.

“Oh my God,” Marissa gasped. “Apple, you look perfect.”

I cleared my throat.

“I found a few things too.”

I held up three items: a sleek black dress, tailored trousers, and a pale blue blouse.

Marissa’s smile froze for half a second.

“Oh, yes. Of course. Go try them on.”

Inside the fitting room, I changed without hurry. When I stepped back out, the atmosphere shifted.

The black dress hugged me perfectly.

Marissa’s face went still.

“It looks nice,” she said after a moment, carefully. “You look… very grown-up.”

Apple leaned toward her and muttered something sharp under her breath.

I heard it.

Marissa pretended she hadn’t.

A sales associate approached with a professional smile.

“Can I help you ladies find anything?”

Marissa spoke first. “We’re just trying to find flattering pieces.”

The clerk’s gaze slid to me.

“Wow,” she said with natural warmth. “You’ve got great posture and height. I know a few pieces that would look stunning on you.”

Marissa stiffened.

Apple muttered a bit louder this time, “Height doesn’t matter if you’re shaped like a board.”

The clerk froze, then pretended she hadn’t heard.

I still didn’t react.

In the next store, Marissa held up two pairs of jeans.