Still, she couldn't very well go to the charity event with Andy wearing her old dress- besides being a threadbare summer dress, it held far too many bad memories. It'd been difficult enough wearing it to Mary's opening at the gallery her first night in town, but back then she didn't have a choice.

Now she did.

With one last deep breath, she pushed open the doors to the boutique and found herself instantly awash in the heady smell of perfume and money. Just as she was ready to bolt out the door, one of the salesgirls descended on her like a vulture.

Jessica: "Good afternoon! Can I help you find something?"

Emily froze, panic setting in. This was it- as soon as she opened her mouth the girl would know she didn't belong there, and the feeding frenzy would begin. Others would know instantly that an outsider had come into their ranks and would soon join.

Emily: "I'm looking for a dress."
Jessica: "You came to the right place! We have a lot of those here- I'm sure one of them is exactly what you're looking for. Did you have anything specific in mind?"

Emily scanned the girl's comment for sarcasm, and found none. She seemed nice enough, and Emily found herself beginning to relax.

Emily: "I need something for a charity shindig I'm going to in a few weeks."
Jessica: "The one thrown by Stone Enterprises?"
Emily: "That's the one."

Jessica: "Wow, you're lucky! That's a really hard party to get in to, supposed to be one of the most amazing gatherings of the year. What's your price range? I'll help you find something that will really 'wow' them!"

Emily smiled in spite of herself. Shopping generally made her queasy at best- the crowds of people walking around in a daze and rude salespeople never failed to astonish her. This felt different.

Emily: "There is no price range, actually. I just…"

Emily hesitated, suddenly feeling silly. The salesgirl smiled wider than ever, understanding perfectly.

Jessica: "We'll have you looking like a princess, don't worry. We keep our best dresses over here…"

Emily spent the next two hours trying on every gown in the store. She'd finally managed to narrow it down to two and was now trying to choose between them. She stared in the full-length mirror, not recognizing the person staring back at her.

Emily: "I just don't know- I really love both of them."
Jessica: "I personally love that one on you. It brings out your eyes. The black one is lovely as well, but this just makes you come to life."
Emily: "You think?"

Jessica: "It's my job to know these things."
Emily: "Then I'll go with this one!"
Jessica: "Excellent- I'll have one of the girls in back wrap one up for you. Just meet me out front when you're ready."

Emily changed back into her own clothes, pausing to look back in the mirror before leaving the dressing room. Now back in her own skin, she felt the familiar self-loathing creeping back. With a deep shuddering breath, she turned and made her way to the front of the store.

Jessica: "Your total comes to $1,860.52."

Emily tried not to choke, shakily handing over the credit card Andy had set up for her. She was mildly amused to be spending more on a dress than she'd spent on her first two cars. Combined.

Jessica: "I hope you have a wonderful time at the party! I have to admit- I'm quite envious. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get invited?"
Emily: "I'm going with my boyfriend, actually."
Jessica: "Wow- well how'd he get invited?"
Emily: "He's throwing it."
Jessica: "Oh. OH! Goodness! I thought you looked familiar!"

Emily hesitated.

Emily: "You did?"
Jessica: "Yeah! There was short article with a picture of the two of you in the society section of the paper yesterday- Mr. Stone is like Deception Pass royalty almost, and… I'm making you feel completely uncomfortable, aren't I?"
Emily: "I'm not used to this sort of thing, I'm afraid."

Jessica: "You'll be all right. Listen, I won't keep you here any longer. Have fun at the party for me!"
Emily: "I will. And thank you, for all your help with the dress."
Jessica: "My pleasure."

Emily left the store with a smile, now eager to finish up the last of her shopping before heading back home. Downtown was busy with last-minute shoppers, yet even that wasn't enough to dampen her mood. She paused outside one of the many shops, still unsure of what to get Andy. What was she supposed to get for the man who had everything?

Her smile started to fade, the familiar tendrils of uncertainty wrapping themselves around her. She'd had no problem getting everyone else on her list gifts, even for those she wasn't sure she'd ever see again. A cold breeze made her shiver as she blinked back an unexpected tear.

Ian: "It doesn't matter how much money you spend on clothes- you're still just a cheap whore."

Emily's stomach dropped, a feeling of sickness spreading throughout her body. It was the voice of her nightmares- *his* voice. She was supposed to be safe here, hidden from her past. She turned as quickly as she could, but saw only the unfamiliar faces of the holiday shoppers.

She fleetingly wondered if she'd imagined it- it certainly wouldn't be the first time Ian's words had echoed in her head since she'd escaped. She took one last look through the crowd before hurrying to her car, shaking violently. Before she made it home, she had to pull over twice to vomit.