Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

Valentina was going to love this.
24
SACRIFICE
SOFIA
I got to finish a little earlier than I was supposed to because customers
were few and Aaron and Lisa said they could handle it themselves. God
bless their souls.
I was fully planning on getting back home as soon as I could to spend a
little bit of time with Maddox before we both called it a night— Valentina
was probably already asleep. But then I saw the prettiest little dress in a new
shop’s window not too far from where I was parked. The boutique had only
opened a week ago, but the owner came by the café a couple of times and she
was adorable. Her name was Aria and she and her husband had just moved
here from Seattle. She made all kinds of gowns. Evening, cocktail, wedding,
you name it. She was hella talented, too.
As I passed her window a sparkling lilac princess dress grabbed my
attention and I just knew this was the dress Valentina had to wear to the
dance. She didn’t have a favorite color— said all colors were beautiful and
it was too hard to choose, but I knew she had a secret sweet spot for blue,
purple and pink.
This one was perfect.
Aria had several sizes, she dressed both women and little girls and said if
it didn’t fit her or if she didn’t like it we could come back and exchange it.
It cost me a hefty sum, for sure, but just imagining my sister’s smile as I’d
show it to her tomorrow morning was worth it.
I entered the apartment with a smile on my face, hoping Maddox wasn’t
already asleep just so I could show him my new purchase.