First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

inside it is unkind, it wrecks the whole thing. You are smart, brave, fierce, kind, and loyal. That’s just off the top of my head. You make that dress more beautiful just by being you, Sky. And no, it’s not too fancy.”

“Oh my,” the saleslady dabbed at her eyes. “Honey, I’m sorry to interrupt but you wouldn’t believe the things I hear. The way mothers criticise their daughters, women berating themselves and friends turning on each other. I can’t tell you how special y’all are! I wish my mom would have talked to me like that . . .”

Leah looked to Sky when the lady mentioned mothers, watching for a reaction. When the lady assumed they were mother and daughter, Leah let a few seconds pass in case Sky wanted to reply. When she said nothing, Leah spoke.

“Thank you. She’s not exactly my daughter, but I do care for her very much.” Leah turned to Sky and smiled. Sky returned her smile shyly.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Sky asked again.

“YES!” Liam shouted as he plopped dramatically onto the small bench outside the dressing room. His arms and legs spread out as if he was completely done in. Sky laughed.

“I want this dress. But . . .” she twisted to check the tag. “I think it’s over my budget,” her voice was wistful.

“Oh, that’s not the sale price!”

“It’s on sale?” Sky and Leah spoke at the same time. Liam hooted with laughter at them.

“Go ahead and take it off and we’ll figure out the price,” Leah suggested. Sky turned and headed into the dressing room.

“Liam, do you know how much money your dad gave her?” she asked quietly. Liam nodded and whispered back.

“Fifty bucks and he said it had to cover everything.”

“How much is the dress?”

“Seventy dollars,” the saleslady cringed. “But I can give her forty percent off.”

“Give her? I thought you said it was on sale. Did I misunderstand?”

“I own this place. I can do what I want,” the lady winked cheerfully. “That dress is made for her. And her eyes! Wow.”

Leah agreed wholeheartedly. That was the best part. The dress was a rich indigo. Sky’s blue eyes with that dress were a winning combination.

“Thank you so much.” Leah hoped to truly convey how much she appreciated the discount.

Sky emerged looking worried. Leah quickly reassured her and before long the dress was bagged and purchased. After thank-yous and goodbyes, they left the store.

“It’s so perfect!” Sky held the bag closely.

“What about shoes and accessories?”

“What’s a sessory?” Liam tugged on her hand.

“Accessories. Like shoes or jewelry. The little things that complete an outfit.”

“Being a girl sounds hard.”

“Some days!” Leah laughed.

“I think I’m all set. I don’t wanna add jewelry and make it too fancy. And I have some sandals that should work with it,” Sky nodded as if deciding.

“What about . . . for underneath? ’Cause of the mesh top?” Leah chose her words carefully in Liam’s presence.

“Oh, I have a strapless b—” She stopped abruptly, eyeing her brother awkwardly. “I’m good, thanks!”

“Okay, so I guess that’s it.” Leah was sad it was coming to an end. “When are you getting picked up?”

“We have . . .” Sky checked her phone. “Twenty-five minutes.”

“Toy store?” Liam offered hopefully. “I was good, right?”

“Very good! Come on.” Sky held out her hand. Liam went to her but looked back to Leah. His little face was full of concern.

“Aren’t you coming too?” his bottom lip trembled.

“I think it’s time for me to go.”

Liam rushed back to her, wrapping his arms around her as best he could. He stayed like that for a long time. Leah didn’t want to let go either. Finally, she patted his back and he stepped away.

“I’ll see you again though, right?”

“I sure hope so,” she answered honestly.

He nodded in agreement. “Bye, Miss Leah,” he said sadly.

“Bye, Leah. Thanks again. I wish . . .” Whatever Sky’s thought was, she did not finish it out loud. Instead she gave Leah a quick hug.

Leah thought she knew though, and she wished it too. She waved as the kids headed off toward the toy store. Liam looked back twice. She waved again and watched until they disappeared into the store.

She made a hasty retreat to her car. Leah wished this was real. She wished they were her family. As real as it felt, she knew it was a dream because she had never once needed to pee.

The thought made her laugh as she started her vehicle. Country music filled the car. It was her favorite song from the album Sky had gotten her for Christmas. Kane Brown sang about kissing his girl for the first time. He reassured her they should be together.

Leah attempted to sing along, but her voice cracked with emotion and she started to cry. She woke up still crying. The rain still poured down. She had to pee. Life was cruel.

Chapter 38

Leah needed a plan for her Saturday. If she did not come up with something to do quickly, she was pretty sure she was going to end up at the mall. Uninvited. And run the risk of seeing Cade or worse, becoming a stalker.

Part of her wanted to just go and see if they would show up at the mall like in the dream. Part of her wanted to call the store and pay for the dress. Or at least portion of the dress. She kept wondering, what if Sky found it and could not afford it?

Leah felt miserable. She paced the empty house and cursed the rain. Finally, she gave up and drove into town. As she drove past the mall, she sighed. Leah knew she shouldn’t. Instead, she continued until she got to her favorite bookstore.

She spent the next hour getting lost in a sea of books. Leah grabbed a fun- looking board game she could play with her nieces. She found her favorite childhood picture book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. She just had to get it for her baby. She