"Do you already have something to wear for Mr. Holloway's birthday party?" Jenny asked as she leaned against Zoe's desk, a hopeful lilt in her voice.
Zoe looked up from her screen and smiled. "Not yet. I might check out the mall after work and see if anything catches my eye."
Jenny's eyes lit up. "Mind if I tag along?"
"Of course not," Zoe replied, grinning. "Could use a second opinion."
Zoe's smile lingered as she returned to her work, clearly a little too happy for just a shopping trip.
Things had been smooth lately-no more tension, no more misunderstandings. After the storm that nearly broke them apart, Zoe and Stacy had found their rhythm again. There was more time, more effort, and most importantly, more love. Everything felt like it was falling into place.
-
Later that afternoon, Zoe made her way to Stacy's office. She knocked gently before stepping inside.
Stacy looked up from her desk, her expression softening the moment she saw her.
"Hey, babe," Stacy said, setting her pen down. "Everything okay?"
Zoe nodded. "Yeah. Just wanted to let you know-I'm heading to the mall with Jenny after work. Gonna look for something to wear for your dad's party."
Stacy stood up and walked over, slipping her arms around Zoe's waist. "I thought you'd look stunning in anything."
Zoe rolled her eyes playfully. "Flattery won't get you out of helping me choose earrings later."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Stacy smirked, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Have fun. Just don't let Jenny talk you into anything too outrageous."
Zoe chuckled. "No promises."
-
The mall was its usual end-of-day chaos-music leaking from every corner, shoppers buzzing with urgency, mannequins dressed in the latest trends staring blankly through glass. Jenny and Zoe walked side by side, drinks in hand, already on their third boutique.
"Okay, this one for sure," Jenny said, dragging Zoe toward a display of satin dresses. "This color will eat you alive."
Zoe laughed as she was pushed into the fitting room with an armful of fabrics she didn't remember agreeing to. She tried each one-the emerald slip, the black body-hugging gown, the silver off-shoulder. They were beautiful... but each time she stepped out to face the mirror, her smile faded a little more.
Jenny watched her quietly. Zoe tugged at another zipper, smoothing fabric over her hips, staring at her reflection with a thoughtful frown.
"What do you think?" Zoe asked.
Jenny tilted her head. "It's pretty. But... I don't think you think it's you."
Zoe sighed. "Yeah. That's the problem."
They tried the next boutique. Then another one. And another. Each dress was lovely, but wrong-too loud, too plain, too formal, not formal enough, not right. Zoe tried to laugh it off, but Jenny could see the tension building in her shoulders.
Finally, after the eighth try-on, Zoe stepped out in a deep red gown that should've been stunning. Instead, she stood there, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Jenny leaned back in her seat. "Okay. Spill."
Zoe blinked. "Spill what?"
"You're trying way too hard," Jenny said, not unkindly. "You don't dress like this for any other event. Why do you need to look perfect for this one? It's like you are trying to impress your future father-in-law."
Zoe froze-not visibly, but enough that Jenny noticed. For a long second, Zoe stared at her reflection instead of answering.
She didn't blush. She didn't laugh. She didn't argue.
Instead, she smoothed the skirt of the gown once more and said lightly, "It's a formal event. The birthday party of the owner of our company, and as a lead I represent the company too. It's just appropriate to look the part."
Her voice was steady. Too steady.
Jenny nodded slowly, eyes softening in realization. "Right. Of course."
Zoe gave a small smile-polite, distant-and turned back to the fitting room. The curtain swayed behind her.
Inside, alone, she leaned against the wall and shut her eyes for a moment.
Father-in-law.
The words echoed no matter how hard she tried to ignore them.
She should've laughed it off. But instead, her heart was beating too fast, and she didn't know if it was fear or longing that hit her harder.
When she stepped out again, she was back to her usual composure.
"Let's try one more place," she said.
Jenny didn't tease her anymore. She just nodded and walked beside her.