Chapter 108

"Okay. What's wrong?" Jocelyn asked, her arms folded across her chest.
"Nothing." Kiki went back to rearranging the case. But she knew that Jocelyn wouldn't let up until she told her. She was a bulldog when she suspected that something was wrong.
Jocelyn's hand appeared in front of her and slid the door of the case shut, the engagement ring prominent on her hand. "Come on. Spill."
Kiki leaned against the glass case, her back toward the door. "Jocelyn, I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
Kiki let out a deep breath, letting her hands fall to her sides. "What do you want from me, Joce? I screwed up and I don't know what to do about it! I jumped to conclusions when I saw Taren with Scarlett, and I hurt him. You should have seen the look on his face." Kiki's eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill over. "He even said 'as for how I feel about you, I guess you'll never know'."
"I can tell you right now that he cares deeply for you," a voice came from behind them.
Jocelyn turned around and Evelyn was standing in the front of the store, having just entered. Kiki was so deep in thought that she hadn't heard her come in. "Evelyn!" Jocelyn greeted her. "I'm so sorry, but we didn't hear you come in."
Kiki's heart was suddenly in her throat. Not only had she made a fool of herself with Taren, she had just made a fool of herself in front of his mother, too.
"Hello, Evelyn." Kiki slowly turned around. "I'm so sorry that you heard me say that."
"I'm not." A crease formed between her eyes as she approached the counter. "May I ask you a personal question?"
Kiki nodded, still in shock. "Sure. Why don't we go to the back?"
Evelyn set her purse down on the glass counter, a faux pax in the store. "What I have to say won't take long."
Kiki swallowed. She had always liked Evelyn, but would stand up to her if she had to. "Why don't we step outside then?"
Evelyn shook her head. "As I said, this won't take long."
Luckily, there were no other customers in the store, so Kiki relented. "Well, whatever you want to say, you can say in front of Jocelyn. We've been through thick and thin together more times than I can count." Being friends for years would do that to you. "But first-." Kiki gingerly took her purse off the glass counter and handed it back to her. "Before Roxanne comes out."
"Oh! Sorry about that," Evelyn replied, slipping her purse back over her arm.
"Evelyn, before we get going, I'd like to thank you for letting me spend the night-." Jocelyn's eyes almost bugged out of her head. "... and for inviting me to celebrate Christmas with you and your family."
"It was my pleasure." She patted her hand as a smile spread across her face. "You're welcome any time."
Kiki smiled, already feeling better. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
"This isn't going to be easy, but we're running out of time." Evelyn let out a deep breath. "Kiki, you need to go to the ball tonight."
"What?" That was the last thing she expected to hear from Taren's mother.
Evelyn bit her lower lip, and then released it. "May I ask you a personal question?"
Kiki's eyes opened wide. "Yes, of course, but--"
"How do you feel about my son?" Evelyn asked, point blank.
"It's doesn't matter." Kiki let out a deep breath. "Scarlett--"
"Is using their precious little girl to get what she wants," Evelyn finished. "Now. How do you feel about my son?"
Kiki's heart hurt thinking about him. When she wasn't with him, she couldn't wait to see him again. And when she saw him, her heart tried to leap out of her chest. "I love him."
"Are you sure?" One cover of her lips curled into a smile.
"Without question."
A broad smile spread across Evelyn's face. "Well then, fight for him! You already have an invitation to the Fireman's Ball. So, go!"
Kiki remembered the spectacular earrings and necklace Taren gave her, and at the bottom of the box had been an invitation to the Fireman's Ball. "But I have nothing to wear-."
"You still have time," Jocelyn intervened. "Go shopping! I've seen you look spectacular in a lot less time."
"But he must hate me--"
"Taren misses you," Evelyn cut her off. "Now, go! You don't have much time, and I'm not sure how long Taren plans on staying there tonight. The only reason why he's going is because he's in charge of it this year. He doesn't think you'll show."
"But Roxanne--"
"Will understand," Roxanne finished, walking out of the back room. She set some boxes down on the back counter. "Sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear. Go! You only get one chance at love, and you never get another chance if it passes you by. Now, go! Before it's too late."
Kiki's heart pounded. Should she? "But what if he turns me down?"
Roxanne shrugged. "Then you'll know."
"Thanks, Roxanne." Then she threw her arms around Evelyn and pulled her in for a quick hug. "Thank you so much- for everything."
Evelyn laughed when Kiki released her. "It's my pleasure! Now, go! And have fun. You two kids have a good time. And don't worry about Abby. We're planning on baking and watching the ball drop tonight, so stay out as late as you want."
Kiki laughed. When she turned to retrieve her purse and coat, Jocelyn was already holding it out to her. Then she pulled her in for a quick hug. "Good luck."
"Now, hurry! You have a ball to get ready for!" Roxanne shoved a credit card into her hand as she nudged her toward the door. "And get something spectacular! It's on me."
Kiki just hoped that she wasn't too late.