Chapter 10 Saturday, In Between Smiles
Saturday came quietly.
No alarm. No rushing. No emails waiting to be answered.
I woke up later than usual, sunlight filtering through the curtains in thin, golden lines. For a moment, I stayed still, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft hum of the city outside. My body still carried the weight of the week, but my mind felt lighter.
Friday had been manageable. Barely but manageable. William had checked in on me throughout the day, reminding me to breathe, to slow down, to count the hours instead of the stress. Somehow, that helped more than I expected.
Now it was Saturday.
I rolled onto my side and reached for my phone.
William: Morning, beautiful. Are you up yet?
A smile tugged at my lips.
Me: Just waking up.
William: Good. Take your time. I'll be there around eleven.
My heart did that small, unfamiliar flip it had been doing a lot lately.
Me: You're really serious about today?
William: Very serious.
Me: You know you actually don't need to..
William: I know. But I want to.
I sighed softly, smiling as I sat up.
I spent longer than usual getting ready, even though I kept telling myself not to overthink it. I settled on a soft cream blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans, comfortable but neat. I left my hair down, brushed but untouched by styling. I wanted to look like myself, not like I was trying too hard.
Still, when the knock came, my heart raced.
I opened the door.
William stood there with his sunglasses pushed into his hair, dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark trousers. Effortless. Calm. Handsome in a way that never felt forced.
"You look good," he said immediately.
I laughed lightly. "You say that every time."
"Because it's always true."
I grabbed my bag and locked the door behind me. As we walked toward his car, he glanced at me.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Better," I admitted. "Lighter."
"Good," he said. "That was the goal."
The drive to the shopping district was easy windows down, music low. The city looked different on weekends. Less rushed. More alive. Aldoria's central shopping area buzzed with quiet excitement when we arrived. Couples strolled. Friends laughed. People moved without urgency.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, William reached for my hand.
I didn't hesitate.
The first boutique was sleek and bright, mirrors lining the walls, soft music floating through the space. Dresses hung neatly, sorted by color and style.
"I'm just looking," I said automatically.
He smiled. "Of course you are."
A sales associate approached, polite and attentive. William gestured toward a rack.
"Try that one," he said, pointing to a deep red dress.
I raised a brow. "Red?"
"Yes."
"I don't usually.."
"I know," he said calmly. "That's why."
I rolled my eyes but took it, along with a softer blue dress I felt more comfortable with.
Inside the fitting room, I studied my reflection longer than usual. When I stepped out in the blue dress, William's gaze softened.
"That's you," he said. "Easy. Beautiful. Elegant."
I smiled and went back in to change.
When I stepped out in the red dress, his expression changed completely.
He straightened. "Oh."
I laughed nervously. "Is that a good 'oh' or.."
"It's a very good 'oh.'"
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"I don't think I can pull this off," I said.
"You already are," he replied gently. "Look at you."
The way he looked at me steady, appreciative, never possessive made something settle deep in my chest.
We didn't rush. We wandered. Talked. Teased. I tried on more clothes than I usually allowed myself to. William never pressured me, never hovered just quiet opinions and soft smiles.
At one point, I caught him watching me instead of the clothes.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said. "I just like seeing you like this."
"Like what?"
"Happy. Relaxed."
After shopping, we stopped at a small café tucked between two boutiques. We sat outside, sunlight warming the table between us. I wrapped my hands around my coffee.
"This feels unreal," I said softly.
He smiled. "In a good way?"
"In a very good way."
He brushed his thumb over my fingers. "You deserve days like this."
I stared at him. "You're very intentional, you know that?"
"I try to be."
We talked about nothing but important movies, food, places we wanted to visit someday. He listened, really listened, and I found myself opening up without realizing it.
Later, in an accessories store, I paused by a display of delicate rings.
"You like those?" he asked.
"They're simple," I said. "I like simple things."
He nodded, thoughtful, but said nothing.
By late afternoon, my feet ached and my energy dipped. William noticed immediately.
"Tired?" he asked.
"A little."
"Then we're done."
I blinked. "Just like that?"
"Yes," he said. "I didn't bring you out to exhaust you."
On the drive back, I leaned my head against the window.
"Thank you," I murmured.
"For what?"
"For today. For checking on me. For caring."
"You don't have to thank me for that," he said quietly. "You're the love of my life."
When he walked me to my door, he paused.
"Take it easy tonight," he said. "Rest."
"I will."
He kissed me soft, familiar, lingering.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
After he left, I sat on the couch, surrounded by shopping bags, my heart full.
God, I really have a wonderful man.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Zara on FaceTime.
It rang twice before her face filled the screen, eyes bright, bonnet slightly crooked.
"Liv!" she squealed. "Look at you! Why are you smiling like that?"
I laughed, shifting on the couch. "Hi to you too."
"Don't 'hi' me," she said, narrowing her eyes playfully. "That smile is suspicious. Something happened."
I hesitated for half a second, then grinned wider. "William took me shopping."
Her scream was immediate.
"EXCUSE ME?"
I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear, laughing. "Relax!"
"Shopping?" she repeated. "Like actual shopping? Dresses? Shoes? Not window-shopping?"
"Yes, Zara," I said, laughing harder. "Actual shopping."
She clutched her chest dramatically. "God when? Where? And why didn't you call me first?!"
"Today," I said. "Saturday. He picked me up, took me out, bought lunch, the whole thing."
Zara stared at me for a second, then shook her head slowly. "This man," she said. "This man is dangerous."
I smiled, my cheeks warming. "He really is."
"And let me guess," she added, leaning closer to the screen. "He didn't complain once."
"Not even a little," I admitted. "He just… watched me. Gave his opinions. Made sure I wasn't tired."
She groaned. "That's it. I'm officially jealous."
I laughed. "Wait, I haven't even shown you the dresses."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "WHY ARE YOU STILL TALKING? SHOW ME."
I propped the phone up against a cushion and stood, lifting the first shopping bag.
"Okay, fashion show time," I said.
"Yes!" she clapped. "This is my calling."
I slipped into the red dress first, adjusting the straps before stepping back into view.
Zara gasped. Loudly.
"OLIVIA."
I laughed nervously. "What?"
"That dress was made for you," she said. "Do you see yourself? Because I see you."
I turned slightly, heat creeping up my neck. "William picked this one."
Her jaw dropped. "Of course he did. Of course he has taste."
I changed into the blue dress next, softer, calmer.
"Oh, this one," Zara said gently. "This one is very you. Classy. Calm. Effortless."
I smiled at the screen. "That's what he said too."
She tilted her head, studying me. "You're really happy, aren't you?"
I paused, then nodded. "Yeah. I am."
I sat back down on the couch, phone in hand.
"It wasn't even just the shopping," I continued softly. "He came over some nights ago just to check on me. Brought food. Sat with me. Didn't push. Didn't rush me."
Zara's expression softened. "Liv…"
"He told me to take it easy," I added. "Said he hated seeing me stressed. Said he loves me."
Her smile widened. "As he should."
I laughed quietly. "You know what's funny? You haven't even met him yet."
She snapped her fingers. "Exactly what I was about to say."
I sat up straighter. "We should fix that."
Her eyes sparkled. "Fix it how?"
"Proper hangout," I said. "You, me, your man, my man."
She grinned. "A double date."
"Yes."
She nodded slowly. "I like it. I'll have to ask my boyfriend first, though."
"Same," I said. "I'll talk to William."
She smirked. "Something tells me he'll say yes."
I smiled. "Probably."
Zara sighed contentedly. "I'm really happy for you, Liv. You deserve someone who shows up like that."
My throat tightened slightly. "Thank you."
She waved a hand. "Please. Now go enjoy your man and your new wardrobe."
I laughed. "I will."
"Call me again when he does something else sweet," she added. "Which I'm sure will be soon."
We laughed together, then ended the call.