Free Reckless Radiance by Kate Roth Page B

Russell and mused at the curiosity on his face. His eyes were intently reading each of the signs.
    “You ready?” she asked. His white teeth beamed at her in an innocent grin and he nodded.
    They browsed through the racks and shelves pulling down jeans and black slacks, sweaters and long sleeved shirts.
    Valerie held up a blue sweater to Russell and laughed as his face scrunched up in disapproval. “Does it come in black?”
    “The blue would bring out your eyes,” she replied. “All that black and gray makes you look like a storm cloud.” Russell rolled his eyes at her as he walked over to the table where she’d found the sweater. “It helps me keep my mysterious stranger look. I thought you liked it,” he teased. Valerie laughed and shook her head hoping a blush wasn’t blossoming on her face. She certainly liked it. Russell met her eyes as her laugh subsided and he grabbed the dark gray version of the sweater before popping off to the dressing room with an armful of options.
    Valerie found a seat outside the dressing rooms waiting for Russell to put on a private fashion show for her when she heard her name.
    “Valerie? Valerie Gilmore?” The woman’s voice was familiar but she couldn’t pinpoint her identity until she turned. She looked nearly the same as she had the day they graduated. It was Emily Buchanan standing behind her looking just as pretty as ever. Her chestnut colored hair was down in perfect waves and her lips were glossed pink. She suddenly wished she’d taken a little more time in front of the mirror. Valerie smiled back but it was nothing compared to Emily’s toothpaste endorsing grin.
    “It’s been forever!” Emily exclaimed. Just as she stood up to greet her Emily pulled her in for a hug. Her mouth went dry as she remembered part of the reason she’d stayed away for so long. She wasn’t ready for questions.
    “Where have you been?” Emily asked.
    All Valerie wanted to do was sprint out the door or fake a French accent on the fly. Non, parle anglais. Looking in the cherubic face of her former classmate, she buckled.
    “I just got back. I’ve been in Somerset.” She managed to get the words out then cringed inside waiting for further probing.
    “Oh, cool. Are you home for good?” Emily asked. Thankful that was all she wanted to know, Valerie felt obliged to come up with an answer but she didn’t have a very good one.
    Valerie pushed a hand through her hair and breathed a quick laugh. “I’m not really sure.”
    Emily’s face softened and her smile grew more sincere. Valerie wasn’t sure why she was worried when she first saw her. She was never the busy-body. She’d been very sweet during Gabriel’s last weeks. Her family had brought meals and Valerie never doubted her concern was genuine. She saw Emily look past her for an instant and watched as one perfectly groomed eyebrow lifted. Valerie turned back and saw Russell standing, waiting for her outside the dressing room.
    He was in the dark gray, V-neck sweater and black slacks. When their eyes met he gave her a crooked smile and threw his hands out in front of him as if to ask how she liked the outfit. Her cheeks went hot and butterflies let loose in her stomach. She turned back to Emily and knew she’d been looking at the handsome stranger and from the look on her face, she was even more intrigued knowing Russell was with Valerie.
    “Russell, I want you to meet Emily. We went to school together,” Valerie said. “Emily, this is…Russell.” Russell glided forward and took her hand. Emily sighed as he shook her hand gingerly. Valerie nearly coughed out a laugh.
    “Babe?” A man’s voice said from the second dressing room.
    “Zach, look who I found!” Emily squealed. As soon as she said his name, Valerie snapped back to high school and his face was as clear as it had been in her yearbook. Of course, Zach Clemens and Emily Buchanan had been dating since sophomore year. Zach made his way over to them and quickly had