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She usually popped in on a random Friday night whenever one of her gigs brought her to New York City. Then she’d drive upstate or I’d meet her halfway somewhere.
It was fine.
It was my life.
“How’s school going?”
I was surprised she’d asked. “Oh, good. I’ve got one semester to go before graduation. I’m saving up for a graduate program. I’m thinking a Master of Social Work or—”
“Oh, sweetie, I’ve got to go. Hank is calling for me. Big kiss and I’ll see you soon. Love you!”
I played with a loose thread on the carpet next to me. “Love you, too. Bye.”
I’d barely hung up when my father knocked on my bedroom door. “Laura, a package arrived for you.”
I hadn’t even heard the doorbell ring. I stood and walked down the hallway toward the front of the house. We lived in a three-bedroom bungalow, with a small kitchen and living room near the entrance. There was a narrow table near the front door where we left the mail, keys, and ponytail elastics. Of course, I was the only one who used the elastics.
A large white box with a red ribbon tied across it sat on the table. I turned to my dad.
“Well, don’t look at me. It’s not your birthday, so I don’t know what it is.”
He looked genuinely surprised, so I didn’t question him further. Then I suspected who may have sent the package. Looking at my dad, I realized I didn’t want him to know a thing about tonight. He would put too much pressure on it and it was just one date, anyway. I didn’t want him to get worked up or think much of it.
Especially since Ryan Crawford was his boss.
“Oh, I think I know what this is,” I said. “It’s probably from work. We have a charity event at the bar tonight, and this is probably the special uniform for tonight.”
“You’ve never worn a uniform before,” he said, looking at the box and then at me.
I smiled. “That’s why it’s the first time they’ve sent one.” I’ll just go open it in my room. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll be leaving for work soon,” he said.
I knew that. I’d given Ryan my address to pick me up because I knew my dad wouldn’t be here. He’d be cleaning the offices at Crawford Corp. I just hadn’t expected a delivery.
“Have a good time, baby girl.”
“I will, Dad,” I called and closed the bedroom door behind me. Leaning against the door, I exhaled in relief.
The package was large but not heavy. I dropped it onto my purple satin bedspread and stared at it.
The thought of opening it terrified me. What could it be? Was it even from Ryan? Maybe I was mistaken. Fortunately, there was a card, so I could stall opening it a little while longer while I read it.
I ripped open the sealed envelope.
I’ve only ever seen you in black and white. But in my mind, you live in color. When I spotted this, I had to see it on you.
Ryan
Ah!
I couldn’t wait to open it. What did he have in mind? I untied the red ribbon and lifted the white lid. There was white tissue paper with a gold seal. I tore at the tissue and revealed a luminescent red fabric.
Raising the garment out of the box, I held it in front of me. Light from my window beamed onto the dress and it sparkled. My finger traced the tiny stones on the fabric. They weren’t sequences or pearls. Crystals, perhaps? They couldn’t be diamonds, could they?
Laying the dress on my bed, I quickly shucked off my jeans and sweater. As I pulled the dress over my legs, the satin fabric inside caressed my skin and I smiled at how good that felt. Luxurious even.
As I shimmied the dress up my body, I twisted my arm behind my back and zipped it up.
