Chapter 3
“We went to the new seafood restaurant, Sole, that opened last month. It was delicious.”
Callie stared into her closet as she listened to Lauren go on about her romantic date the night before. She was packing, or at least trying to pack, for her weekend trip to Newport. Lauren had stopped by to visit and lend moral support.
“Packing isn’t supposed to be this difficult,” Callie said, interrupting Lauren before she could continue. “Seriously, you’d think I could just fold some clothes and put them in a suitcase. So far, the only things I’ve packed are underwear and a toothbrush.”
Lauren patted Lucky, who sat on the bed next to her. “It is simple. You’re the one making it complicated.”
Looking over her shoulder, Callie threw her friend a dirty look. “I am not. I just have no idea how I should dress this weekend. Should I go for casual or do you think the Sherbrookes expect something more formal? This is about as formal as my wardrobe gets.” Callie gestured to the navy blue Dockers and short-sleeve sweater she had worn to work.
“Bring your favorites. Whatever you’re most comfortable in. I doubt they expect you to be wearing an evening gown, chickie.” Lauren got off the bed and came to stand next to Callie.
Callie pulled her favorite short-sleeved blouse off its hanger. The blouse was a little faded and fraying a bit at the collar. Still, Callie didn’t normally think twice about wearing it. Today though, she returned it to the closet. “I don’t want to look like a complete slob, Lauren.”
Even though she kept telling herself it didn’t matter what her father and his wife thought of her, she knew deep down that it did. “I don’t want them to think I’m some uneducated hick from the country.”
“Now you’re being silly. No one would ever think that about you.”
“I should have started packing sooner.” Callie pulled out the short, bright red sundress that Lauren convinced her to buy one day when they’d visited Block Island, but she had never worn. She hadn’t even cut the tags off it. Though it looked great on the hanger and probably would look fabulous on Lauren with her lithe dancer’s body, it just wasn’t her style. “Then I would’ve realized what a desperate state my wardrobe is in and been able to go shopping. But nooo … I waited till the night before. After the mall closed.”
Lauren put an arm around Callie’s shoulders. “If you want, I can go home and grab a few things for you. Maybe that violet pencil skirt you like.”
“If you don’t mind. It’s already kind of late.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Wouldn’t have offered if I minded. Anything specific you want, or do you want me to just pick a few things?”
“Whatever. You know my taste.” Callie folded the sundress and put it in her suitcase. She doubted she would wear it, but just in case she got really desperate while down there she would have it. Then she started looking through her clothes again.
“Be back soon. Call me if you think of anything specific you want,” Lauren called as she headed out.
“You don’t know how good you have it, Lucky.” Callie walked over and ran a hand down the dog’s back after Lauren left. “You never have to worry about impressing anyone.”
Oblivious to the turmoil Callie felt, the dog flopped onto his back to get his belly scratched.
“I wish I could take you with me this weekend.” No matter what else was going on, Lucky somehow always managed to improve her mood and helped her relax. “Somehow, I doubt the Sherbrookes would want a crazy dog like you running around their mansion.”
As soon as she said the name Sherbrooke, her gaze shifted to the black and white photo she’d printed off the computer. The picture had been taken at some charity event the family had attended that winter. Her father, half-brother Jake, and Dylan Talbot were all dressed in tuxedos while Warren’s wife, Elizabeth, and Callie’s half-sister Sara were both dressed in gorgeous designer gowns, which probably cost more than she made in two months. The entire family looked so elegant, so sophisticated. And so far removed from her life. She couldn’t see herself ever fitting in with them.
“Stop being such a sissy. They’re just people,” Callie said. “They put their pants on one leg at a time just like you. Theirs just cost a hell of a lot more.” Callie marched back to her closet and pulled her favorite blouse off its hanger. To hell with it being faded.