Sara was getting off work, her skin paler than usual. The pain had finally kicked in—low and sharp, curling through her lower body like a fist tightening with every step. She held herself together, ignoring it the best she could, until a small tug at her leg stopped her.
Blue hugged her thigh tightly, her round eyes pleading."Can you stay for dinner?"
Sara forced a soft smile, brushing Blue's hair gently."Oh, love... I'd really like to, but I promised someone I'd meet them tonight. Rain check?"
She remembered Elijah's text from earlier—he was expecting her at the party tonight.
Blue's face fell, her shoulders drooping slightly. The disappointment was quiet but unmistakable.
Sara crouched down, trying to lighten the mood."How about this—next time, we go for ice cream. Just the two of us. Does that sound like a deal?"
Blue hesitated, then mumbled, "The two of us?"
"Of course," Sara assured her. "Unless... you'd rather someone else come along too?"
Blue shook her head quickly."Everyone else is probably busy. Just the two of us is good," she added, trying to sound brighter.
Sara watched her for a moment, a knot forming in her chest. Blue was getting too attached to her—more than she should. And while the feeling was mutual, it started to weigh on Sara's conscience. She loved that girl, more and more every day, but… she wasn't her mother. And if her own daughter had been growing closer to someone else, Sara knew it would have torn her up too.
"Maybe we can invite your mom?" she offered gently. "I bet she'd like to come with us."
Blue's expression softened, but she didn't look convinced."I want Mama to come, but... she's always busy."
"Still," Sara said, "maybe we can find a day she's free. Should we ask her?"
Right then, Nala walked in, holding a folded set of dry clothes."Missy, you done for the day?" she called out cheerfully.
Blue nodded, but her response lacked the same warmth she showed Sara. There was a subtle shift in her tone, and Sara caught it instantly.
Sara turned to Nala."Nala, right?"
Nala raised her brow. "Yeah? Something wrong?"
Sara hesitated a moment, then spoke."I was wondering... does Sofia have any free time this week? I was thinking of taking Blue out and thought it might be nice if Sofia could join. You know, some time with her mom."
Nala blinked at her, trying to mask her reaction. She clearly didn't want to shut Sara down outright, but the truth hovered between them—Sofia probably wouldn't agree. Still, Nala offered a polite nod."I can ask... but I'm not sure."
"Alright, please do let me know what she says," Sara said with a polite smile as she stood up and gently untangled Blue's arms from around her waist. "I'll see you soon, sweetheart."
Blue waved at her with a small, almost reluctant motion, and Sara turned to leave. Just before she walked out, she paused in the doorway and looked back one last time.
Blue was standing there with Nala beside her—but the room still felt hollow. Sara's throat tightened. There were people around, but the girl looked so alone. Like no one truly saw her. Like no one had a reason to stay. After a heavy hearted sigh she made her way towards Ashely's apartment. Because she needed some serious help.
Sara pressed the buzzer and waited. Her shoulders ached, the long day already weighing heavy on her, but she knew if she went home, she'd never make it out again. The door clicked open, and Ashley's voice rang out from inside.
"It's open!"
Sara stepped in, blinking at the soft golden light spilling through the apartment and the smell of sandalwood candles and fresh laundry. Ashley padded out from her room, barefoot, holding a cup of coffee and wearing one of her usual oversized silk shirts that still somehow looked like it belonged on a runway.
"Well, well," she said, eyes glinting as she took in Sara's slouched, work-worn posture. "You don't look very well, Darling."
"Trust me i am not." Sara added throwing her bag aside as if it was her own place.
"I need your help," Sara said without delay.
"Help? What kind of?" She shifted her tone now serious.
"I've got a formal thing tonight." She said sucking on her teeth. Ashely crossed her arms attentively waitign for her to spill more details. "A guy--It is a long story about the guy but someone asked me for a favour and i need to join them at a formal party tonight."
Ashley smirked, "Hmm so after this long my Monk of a friend finally decided to date?"
Sara protested. "No it is not a date!" she tried to explain.
Ashely walking straight up to her and placing one finger gently on Sara's lips."Shhh. Let the expert work."
Sara blinked as Ashley spun around dramatically and headed toward her bedroom."Strip. Go shower. I'll handle everything else."
"Wait—what? Already?" Sara called after her.
"I said shower, not negotiate!" Ashley's voice echoed from the closet. "I'll find you something that screams 'I'm too hot to be stuck behind a desk all day.' Now go, you have exactly ten minutes, or I'm choosing lingerie instead of a dress."
Sara sighed but obeyed. The hot water helped ease her aches, but she was mostly grateful for the way Ashley had just… taken over. It felt weirdly good to not have to decide for once.
By the time she stepped out, towel-wrapped and nervous, Ashley had laid out everything. On the bed was a velvet midnight-blue dress, sleek and off-shoulder, with a slit that climbed far more dangerously up the thigh than anything Sara had ever worn. Next to it were tall, pointed heels in black patent leather, a set of fine gold jewelry—thin layered chains, delicate hoops—and a perfume bottle that shimmered like a diamond.
"I can't wear that," Sara said the moment she saw it her hand holding her chest defensively.
"I'll look so out of place!."
Ashley turned around slowly, one brow lifting as she handed her the lingerie set to wear underneath."You mean, you'll look like the hottest woman in the room? Yeah, God forbid."
Sara scowled. "You know what I mean." She looked at her. "He will think I an trying to hard. Don't you think people will laugh at me?"
Ashley didn't let up. "Nope. I don't. But I do know what he'll think when he sees you walk in looking like this."
Sara shook her head. "He's just a friend! I mean someone i barely know...I'm just helping him look like he has a life. That's literally it."
Ashley gave a slow, cat-like grin. "Right. Just a friend. A friend calling you to a formal party as a plus one? Tell me about it?" She said sarcastically reading too deeply between the lines.
"Stop it." Sara threw a nearby pillow at her. "You're making this weird."
Ashley caught it effortlessly and leaned closer, whispering as she hooked the gold necklace around Sara's neck."Sara, be honest. Don't you want to make sure he doesn't let you go home tonight?"
Sara turned beet red. "Ashley!" She almost got up. "You have been single for too long for your own good. Don't you want to have some fun tonight?" she gave her an evil grin.
Sara groaned and lightly swatted her arm. "He's not like that. And neither am I!"
"Everyone's like that when they meet the right pair of eyes," Ashley teased, smirking as she dabbed highlight onto Sara's cheekbones. "Now, hush. Lips. I need to make these glossy enough to commit crimes."
The finishing touches went quickly—light smoky eyes, curled lashes, soft blush, and a nude pink gloss that made Sara's mouth look like it belonged in a magazine. When Ashley was done, she stepped back and gave a long, satisfied sigh.
"Girl. You're a masterpiece. If he doesn't stare for an inappropriate amount of time, I'm dragging him to the ER because clearly, the man's brain stopped working."
Sara nervously smoothed the fabric over her hips just as her phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen.
Elijah:Outside. You ready?
Ashley snatched the phone before Sara could reply and sent back a winking emoji and a single word:"Coming."
Sara gasped. "You did not."
Ashley winked at her, handing the phone back. "Good luck, sweetheart. Now go smite someone."
And with that, she gave Sara a gentle push toward the door.