It fit properly.
No shapewear.
No fighting with a zipper.
No trying to squeeze myself into the body I used to have.
I liked the color.
Ryan looked at me.
“That’s new.”
“I bought it last month.”
He looked me over.
“Looks nice, Kels. Really.”
A week earlier, those words would have meant everything.
Now all I could think was:
What will you say after I leave the room?
Olive and Max arrived first.
Olive hugged me.
“You look lovely.”
“Thanks.”
I laughed.
“I finally found a dress that doesn’t require wrestling with the zipper.”
She smiled.
Tess and Glen arrived soon afterward.
Dinner went smoothly.
Too smoothly.
Ryan ate the meal I had prepared.
Talked.
Laughed.
Accepted compliments.
At one point, he leaned back and said:
“Kelsey’s always been great at taking care of everyone.”
Tess smiled.
“You’re lucky.”
Ryan nodded.
“Believe me. I know.”
