Beautiful Disaster

Part Thirteen

Two years earlier...

The department store smelled like fresh powder.

Everywhere Izzy Nacino looked, something white or lacy or a hundred percent hypoallergenic cotton greeted her. It overwhelmed her senses and intimidated her. Lots of its customers were looking at her—or at her denim mini-skirt and red-violet tank top, to be more precise.

Such was the fate of a single, unattached woman upon entering Ambervale Mall's Infant Supplies Section.

Luckily, the monotony was cut short by an eager voice, and Izzy was finally able to feel the invisible vise around her neck loosen. Ella arrived, holding a basket filled to the brim with baby bottles and toys. If her friend wasn't careful, she'd buy out the whole store.

"I am so glad you could come," the young mom said. "You don't know how hectic it's been for me these past few days, with Penelope and Heather both gone for a family reunion."

"Both out of town, I heard," Izzy quipped while they made their way to the cashier. Ella used to work in the same place Izzy did—Mikey's Night Light Pub. It was the most popular pub in Towdee, all because it was the only pub in Towdee. Now Ella was a mother of one and happy enough to work part-time at the town's dress shop.

After Ella cashed out, they went to one of the newer department areas where lovely arrays of cocktail dresses were modeled by mannequins. All the while, they talked about nothing and everything. They pointed at random stuff like teenagers on a shopping binge, even though one of them was a young mother and the other a self-supporting woman.

"Yes, I think so," Ella answered one of Izzy's questions. "I know this sounds stupid, absolutely out of my character, but I can't decide between these two dresses. Do you think the pink one with the white roses would look better? Or should the strapless one in dark blue do the trick? I know it matches my eyes."

Ella pointed to the two dresses on the mannequins. One was indeed pink, hemmed at the skirt bottom and collar with lace roses. The dark blue piece was long and elegant, and it had sequins lining the top that matched Ella's eyes.

Izzy did see the dilemma Ella was in, though she secretly favored the blue dress. However, it wouldn't hurt to tease her friend a little. "Ella, that hunk of yours isn't going to care what you wear to the function. His eyes will be stuck to whatever dress you have on, trying to figure out how to take it off."

Ella's face turned scarlet, and it was all Izzy could do not to laugh.

"Izzy! Don't be so crude! We're in a department store, for Pete's sake." Ella sighed and fingered one of the lace roses while eyeing the blue beauty on her other side. A soft smile graced her lips. "Although, I guess you're right. Theo is crazy for me, no matter what I wear. I'm surprised my wardrobe is still in one piece."

Izzy wasn't listening anymore, however. Her eyes were glued to a spot outside the department store, intently watching two people eat each other's faces on the pavement. She felt as if an ugly beast that had lain dormant inside her was beginning to awaken.

On vacation, huh?! Off to repack your stuff, huh?! Izzy silently raged. She balled her fists and marched towards the exit.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Ella called, but Izzy didn't want to explain in detail just yet. If she did, she'd miss the chance to dump her boyfriend for making out with another woman.

Her throat tightened, and her teeth clenched as she opened the glass door. "Just stay right here, Ella. I'm going out to check on something."

"Or someone..." Izzy heard Ella murmur behind her.

♥

Continued

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