“What I want is to have a style.” She took in Skylar’s mix of vintage and high-end fashion. “You never look like you’re wearing a costume. It looks like every piece is chosen with care. Like there’s a story behind each piece.”

“That’s true, but it’s because I’m an image consultant. No one would hire me if I showed up in jammies and flip flops. I have to look like I know my own style. For me, that takes a lot of work. But, for you, it’s effortless. You’ve got panache, and I think it comes from your confidence.”

Confidence. Brodie had used the same word last night. It’s what makes me sexy. “You know what? I’ve never cared all that much about clothes. But I think…I think I just want to be more intentional, you know? I want to choose the food I put in my mouth.” Instead of sitting down to a meal Chef had prepared. “And try on clothes until I find the thing that makes me excited. If you were my image consultant, where would you take me to shop?”

“It sure as hell wouldn’t be Western World Warehouse. Come on. Let’s clean up this mess. I’ve got a boutique you’re going to love.”

With her iced coffee in hand, Rosalina crossed under the antler arch into the town green. Loads of people were out. Children chasing each other across the lawn, families eating ice cream cones on benches, and a big group having a picnic in the gazebo.

She took a sip of the sweet drink. “You’re smart, making me take a break before going into another store.”

“That’s because I have a three-year-old, and I understand tantrums.”

She nearly choked on her coffee. “I didn’t have a tantrum.”

“Tantrum, melt-down, whatever word works better to describe someone who’s sweating in an air-conditioned dressing room surrounded by an explosion of denim and pearl buttons.”

Rosalina laughed. “Okay, that’s fair.”

“But, since it was you, it was a very lady-like melt-down.”

“I was a little frustrated.”

“There isn’t a woman alive who hasn’t felt that way in a dressing room. Especially when it comes to bathing suits and jeans.”

“Yeah, but before my ex cheated on me, I felt so sure of myself. Now, I feel like I’m questioning everything.”

“Well, you want to live with more intention, so that might be a good thing. It’s easy to fall into a rut, you know? We fall into routines, because it’s easiest that way. Like, if you’re a student you wear leggings and sweatshirts, and if you’re a lawyer you have a closet full of suits and ties and white shirts. Routine makes it easier.”