Free Where I Found My Heart by C.E. Hansen

you have me. We’ll go to Neiman’s lunchtime. We’ll find you something really pretty there.”
    When she noticed I was shaking she stepped closer and hugged me. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you get ready. I’ll even stay at your house till you get home. We’ll have us a good old fashioned girl’s sleepover.”
    I smiled. “Thank you Libs.” I’m sure my relief showed in my eyes.
    “That’s what family does for each other. Besides, I’ll want to hear every detail when you get home.”
    “I see. You have an ulterior motive.”
    “I do.” She hugged me and for the first time in a long time, I was that nervous young girl going on her first date.
     
     

Chapter 16
     
    Libby and I went to Neiman Marcus at the mall for lunch and didn’t stop until we found a dress that fit the bill, a dark red dress, which complemented both my figure and my blonde hair. I also found a pair of black pumps I could walk in, although I wasn’t sure how long I could walk in them, but I would find out soon. A small black purse and some new makeup completed my shopping trip and as I carried my shopping bags back to the car, I had a glimmer of hope for the future.
    Instead of going back to work, Libby and I stopped at Josh’s and her apartment so Libby could get a few things. Then took the items we purchased and went right to my apartment, where Libby opened a bottle of wine she’d brought and poured us both a glass. And as promised she helped me get ready, through every stage.
    After she was finished with my hair, which she curled and left long down my back, she set about putting on my makeup. The wine helped calm my nerves, sort of held the butterflies at bay a little. I walked into the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and pulled my thigh highs up, then lowered my dress over my head reveling in the feel of it sliding down my body. I hadn’t had a reason to get dressed up for some time, and to say I was nervous would be an understatement. I bent over and slipped my new shoes onto my feet.
    When I walked back into the living room where Libby was putting my lipstick, keys and cardholder into my new purse, she looked up and the shock that registered on her face nearly caused me to crumble.
    “What, what’s wrong?”
    “Nothing is wrong. You look absolutely beautiful! Oh Reny…” Tears flooded her eyes and I could see she tried to blink them away. “I’d almost forgotten how beautiful you are…seeing you like this…it makes my heart feel good. You know?” She had her hand over her chest for emphasis.
    “Why are you sad?”
    I walked up to her. She led me by the hand to the bedroom and opened my closet door where the full-length mirror was mounted on the inside of my closet door and guided me up to it before turning me around to face it.
    “Oh my…”
    “God.” She finished my sentence. “You are stunning Reny. Look at you. And these are tears of joy, I was so afraid I’d never see you like this ag…” she stopped herself, but I knew what she would say.
    I looked up and down the length of my body at least twice. It was definitely weird. It was as if someone else was staring back at me, someone not me. For a few seconds it frightened me, I shuddered.
    “Come with me.” She led me back outside and poured me a half a glass more. “Drink this. It’ll calm you down.”
    I did as she suggested and leaned on the stool.
    Libby walked determinably over to the door and picked up her overnight bag removing her pj’s, “Old fashioned girl’s sleepover.” Then she reached in and removed a small pouch. She unzipped it and held up a necklace. It was one I’d recognized right away. It was the one Dylan and I gave her for her twenty-fifth birthday. I loved that necklace, which is the reason we bought it for her.
    “Here.” She stepped over and pushed my hair to the side as she fastened it, then she walked around to the front of me and smiled. “Perfect. It’ll be your something borrowed.”
    I laughed, “I’m not