Page 54 of The One Timer

I suck in a breath—partly in shock, partly to make my abdomen shrink even smaller. “It certainly does show off my…figure.” My boobs are pushed high and show a deep furrow of cleavage between the creamy round mounds of flesh. Yikes.

“To perfection,” says the sales lady. Of course, she does—especially if she gets a commission on the ridiculous price tag. I’m hoping Mrs. W gets a discount, or better yet, maybe she can return it if I take good care of it tomorrow night. My tummy flips around at the idea of showing up to the gala looking like this—and what Chase will think when he sees me.

Sucking in a breath, I say, “Okay. Let’s go with this one.”

We’re both exhausted when we get back to Louisburg Square. Once inside, my thudding heart lets up. Chase won’t be coming home tonight. He has that away game. The one he wanted me to go to… Shit. Don’t think about that. Don’t think about Chase at all.

“This was a wonderful, if tiring day, Emery. Thank you for allowing me to do this for you. I don’t remember the last time I had such fun shopping.”

“My pleasure, Mrs. W.”

She laughs, and I put the box on the table in the front entryway, unsure what else to do with it.

“I have a brilliant idea,” she says. “How about if we order food from our caterer—just this one night won’t hurt us—and then you can stay and watch Chase’s hockey game with me.”

I hesitate because my automatic response is to decline, but I’m finding that getting harder to do.

“I hate to watch his games alone. It’s so much more fun when I have someone to enjoy it with.”

“When you put it that way…” I laugh. “I’ll call my aunt and let her know.”

“I’ll use the phone in the library to call the caterer.”

Once Mrs. W disappears into the library, I tap in Aunt Bea’s phone number, and she answers right away. Not a good sign.

“Aunt Bea, I need to work late tonight. I won’t make it home to cook dinner tonight⁠—”

“Late again?” she cuts me off. “You’ve been working all kinds of hours over there. I hope they’re paying you extra. What are we going to have for dinner now?”

“There’s some leftover meatballs in the fridge.”

“Sounds delicious. We could have used some warning. This is ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry. How about if I order you something and have Uber Eats deliver your meal?”

“That’s the least you can do,” Aunt Bea says. “I had a crap day—half the tips as usual. And your two cousins are going out. I’ll be left by myself.”

“I’m sorry—” I hear the bang of the library door closing and see Mrs. W. standing in the hall.

“What’s the problem, Emery? Anything I can help with?”

I cover the phone, “No thank you. I’ve got this handled.” Shit. I hope she didn’t overhear me. I lower my voice. “Let me go, and I’ll order your favorite. A barbeque rib dinner from your favorite rib place.”

With my aunt placated, I end the call and face Mrs. W. “I’ll be another minute. I have to make one more call.”

“I have a better idea,” she says. “How about if we send the limo to pick up your Aunt Bea, and she can eat and watch the game with us?”

My mouth drops open, and I feel like my head is spinning. “You heard everything?”

She nods. “I cheated, though; my hearing aid has a supersonic setting. I hope you’ll forgive me. It was unintentional.”

I shake my head. “I’m not so sure it’s a good idea. You don’t know my aunt. Or my cousins.”

“You find your family difficult at times?”

“I guess that’s a good way to put it. Life’s been a struggle for Aunt Bea.”

“Then let’s give her a special night—or at least what I’d consider a special night for me.”