Page 46 of Yours, Finally

Vi

The time had come. After more than two and a half years, Jake and I were on the same executive level. Not only that, but enough had happened to reveal some of the feelings we had for each other.

The question was, would we do anything about it?

"I have to admit," Eva said, "there are advantages to hiring a personal shopper."

Only two days before the gala, I treated Lina and Eva to a personal shopping experience. I had worked with Susana for years, and she was an expert at finding amazing outfits for larger bodies. Lina and Eva had sent their general measurements— Susana already had mine— and she had pre-selected a vast array for options.

We had lunch together on a lovely restaurant patio. The furniture had a hint of art deco in gold and tan that appealed to my senses, and big red umbrellas to protect us from the sun and break the monochromatic design. Greenery by way of trees and bushes adorned the periphery of the patio and, in the summer, the place was even more of a stunner.

"It was like the first time Max took me shopping." Eva raised an eyebrow. "Several dresses that fit me like a glove, each prettier than the previous."

"It's impossible to find enough options in brick and mortar shops." I tsked. "Fatphobia at its finest. It's not only them who don't want me in their stores. I don't want to go to their stores either."

"We have one store in Laguna Island that brings in bigger sizes… and I don't like a lot of their clothing." Eva chuckled. "I'm used to buying online, but you all are going to spoil me. I'm going to be hell to shop with, unless I have a personal shopper moving forward."

Lina grinned. "It's not like we're not privileged enough to do it. Vi here is obscenely rich on her own, but us, Eva? We have partners that like to spoil us that way."

"I bet Gabe isn't half as bad as Max, though. This golden retriever I married in Vegas does not know how to keep himself in check."

I laughed. "He's a sweetheart, though. I'm so glad it worked out for you two."

We all shared a conspiratorial look. Max and Eva had married in Vegas without knowing each other beforehand, because it was convenient for the both of them. It was a well known secret among the group. The fact that they had fallen in love in the process was music to my romantic heart.

"I'm glad, too." Eva gave us a cheeky smile that reminded me of her husband. "He changed my life… personal shoppers included."

"The dress you chose is so pretty, too." Lina drank from her wine glass. "The perfect tone of blush and with all that ruching in the perfect spots— you will look lovely."

"We all will," I said. "My dress with that skirt slit? Killer. And yours, too, Lina. The boning on the front suits you so well."

"The three of us are going to have our men drooling, for sure!" Lina raised her glass in a mock salute.

"Ourmen?" Eva asked. "I mean— Max, yes, and Gabe. Are you taking someone, Vi?"

"Oh." I did a tiny shake of my head, flustered. "No. I'm not taking anyone. That was a faux pas on Lina's part."

Sure, Jake would attend too, but we wouldn't be there together. I almost asked him over kuchen de nuez on Monday evening, when we'd been left temporarily alone. For the course of the meal, we'd exchanged long looks that telegraphed our thoughts. Our questions. The visions of what would happen if our answer was finally ayes.

But neither had asked anything, and there was no plan. I swallowed my dreams and doubts once more.

Eva shook her hand my way in a conciliatory wave. "Sorry. I jumped to conclusions. I thought maybe you'd take someone or see someone you like there. It's your private life."

In that moment, I wish I were a better liar.

"It's not that I don't want to tell you," I said. "It's that there's nothing really to tell."

Which was the whole problem with being in limbo, too. And why I should probably talk to Jake sooner rather than later. Limbo wasn't a fun place to be in.

Eva cocked her head to the side. "I thought…" She frowned and smacked her lips. "I'm sorry again. I don't mean to pry."

Lina and I shared a quick glance.

"What did you think?" Lina asked.

"Nothing." Eva shook her head. "It's none of my business."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did you think, Eva?"