Page 47 of Broken
“Yeah it is.” He says. I pull my phone from the pocket in my skirt and look. Shit, we close in ten minutes. Where did the day go? Weekday hours are the worst. I love getting lost in here, but when I have a kid, I make my own shop hours, and on the weekdays, I get to spend the late evening with my daughter.
“What’s that?” I ask, pointing to his hand as he holds it over his shoulder letting it drape down his back.
“Oh, Bailey picked it out for you for dinner.” He pulls it around his body and hands it to me. “We have reservations for seven thirty.”
“I can’t leave here until everything's cleaned up.” I respond, taking the bag from him.
“Kat, we got this, we know how to lock up. Get out of here!” Devon says, clapping her hands as if she’s my own personal cheerleader.
“I hate you.” I mouth to her, but she just blows me a kiss.
I take the dress back to my office and hang it on the back of the door. Damn them all. When I unzip the bag, my nice black dress is in here. There’s shoes in here too since the bag is heavy. I pull them out and she’s got my straps in here. These shoes are meant for extremely fancy reasons, such as a funeral, wedding, or… a date. Fuck. Bailey knew that too.
With a sigh I pull my shirt off and kick out of my boots and skirt. The dress is a simple black t-shirt dress, and usually I pair it with my studded belt and leather jacket to give it some Kitty spice. I slip it on and dig into the bag and find that she’s managed to put my leather jacket and the belt in here. Fucking love her.
I put them on and then step into my straps. I call them straps because they have a weaving pattern up my leg. Kind of gladiator style, only thicker with a platform bottom.
I fix my hair a little in the mirror I have hanging on the wall, making sure my bangs are in place and that my makeup still looks on point. It’s as good as it’s going to get.
Taking my clothes and shoes I had on, I toss them into the bag and grab it off the door. When I leave my office, I shut the light off and make my way back out to the floor where everyone is waiting for the big reveal.
“Damn Kat, looking good.” Chester says, whistling as I walk into view.
“Fuck off Chez.” I flip him off as I walk towards Westley.
He looks at me as if it’s the first time seeing me. Clearing his throat, he holds a hand out for me and I take it, blushing like a little girl. “Get it!” Devon cheers from behind me.
“All of you can fuck right off. Make sure you empty the till and put the cash in the safe.”
“Yes ma’am.” Devon shouts as I’m led through the shop door.
West steps out in front of me, and smiles, “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. Where are we going?” I ask looking at the cars, the only one that doesn’t belong is a blue Toyota Corolla.
“A place called Michael’s. Bailey suggested it.”
“Wait a second.” I hold up a finger, “There’s no way you got reservations at Michael’s this close to Memorial Day.”
“I did, on the patio overlooking the lake,” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “Now, let's go eat.”
“Fuck the car, we can walk!” I take his hand and lead him towards the large building on the lake.
“I gotta say Kitty, this place smells like shit, I hope you know that.” He says his nose upturned.
“It’s the lake,” I laugh loudly, “you get used to it. It’s the first sign of summer, being able to smell the lake when you get to town.” I shrug, “You came at a perfect time honestly, it’s almost Memorial Day weekend and people from all over come here to see the dunes.” I pause, thinking about it all. “Yeah, you’ll have to see it, it’s too hard to explain and do it justice.”
A loud line of trucks hauling massive ATV’s drive by us, Jeeps with orange flags, and everyone is honking and cheering as they go. They’ll all park for the night and then shit will really kick off tomorrow.
“Kitty, what is this place? He asks, almost in horror as he sees the trucks and Jeeps.
I squeeze his hand and laugh, “It’s home.”
“The mud flats open up July first,” I tell him as more side by side’s pass us on their way out.
“What the fuck is the mud flats?” He asks as we hit the parking lot where several cars sit.
“Well, when the reservoir on the other side of the dunes drops its water, it creates a bunch of mud holes and trails. It’s a good time.”