We then go to another store where I happily browse through. I pick out a few more outfits to try on and show Riker each of them. My favorite outfit is a summer dress with a floral pattern stitched in the fabric. It’s off the shoulder and comes with a cute little belt that hugs my waist. I spin the dress around, and the fabric sweep about. I can dance in it all day.
“You have a great taste in fashion,” Riker tells me after what I think is my twentieth time trying on clothes. “I think you’d make a good model.”
“Mmm, I don’t think so,” I disagree as I shake my head.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.” Riker looks somewhat disappointed, but we don’t take the matter further and continue shopping.
I get myself a few more outfits before we go to a makeup department. Riker buys me some lipstick and other items that he proposes will look good on me, and I even had a small makeover. My cheeks are more rouge, and my eyes are lined with mascara. I wear dark red lipstick that makes my lips more prominent, but I don’t mind. I feel much prettier now than I did before, and there’s confidence in my stride as Riker, and I continue shopping. Well, I’m doing most of the shopping.
Riker just makes sure I’m happy, and I’m as happy as I can be. I feel like a princess as I’m being treated with all these extravagant things. Riker has bought me so much, and it just feels great. Amazing, even. I never thought a life of luxury would be for me, but my focus has always been my job. Though, it’s always nice to take a step back and live a little. I want to be treated like a princess, I want to be pampered by Riker. Everything right now is just amazing, and I want to live in the moment.
After shopping, we return to Riker’s apartment. We sit together on the couch as we try to decide what to do for dinner. Riker’s arm is draped around my shoulder as I lean into him. While he thinks, I look into my phone as I search for a place to eat. I can’t find anything in particular, so Riker says,
“Since we were out all day, why don’t we order in?”
“Sure,” I agree. That’s probably for the best, my legs are killing me from all the walking anyways.
“Why don’t you bring Nia here?” Riker suggests. “I’m sure she would love to eat with us.”
I pause as I consider, but since I haven’t seen her in a while, I give in.
“Alright.”
26 Riker
I can’t remember ever really wanting a family meal like this, but I feel like I’m on cloud nine.
Having Nia and Jane here with me feels incredible. We aren’t even doing anything that special. We’re just sharing a meal together. Something about this feels so right in a way I can’t describe. Jane passes the napkins to Nia. I pick up a fork. Nia laughs at one of my jokes. All of these simple things somehow make up this scene that I hope never ends.
While Nia is distracted with her food, I smile at Jane and she smiles back. The simple action awakens something with me. I realize that I can be a better man. I can leave my days of partying and courtrooms behind me. I could really do this. The thought is terrifying, but I’m intrigued by it all the same.
Nia is an open book. She tells me all about her school and friends. I listen with rapt attention. I don’t think I’ve ever listened more in my life than I have in the past few weeks. If it were any other kid, I would smile and nod, but I’d ultimately brush them off. But Nia is different. She’s special, just like her mom.
Jane. I’ve never met a woman like her. She’s smart and funny and tough, but she also has such a big heart. And she’s a good mom. She’s almost too good to be true. I can’t keep this dopey grin off my face when I’m with her. I don’t know what a woman like her is doing with a guy like me. Actually, I do. I tricked her into a fake engagement. I reel in a bit at the thought. But this moment isn’t fake. It’s real.
Before I know it, the babysitter is here to pick up Nia. Jane and Nia share a tender moment. I can feel the love radiating off them as they hug one another. I try to remember if I had this sort of relationship with either of my parents when I was that age. I wonder if Nia will forget. With a mom like Jane, I doubt she will.
They share a heartfelt goodbye and Nia walks out the door with the babysitter. Jane holds it together, but as soon as Nia leaves, I see the façade start to crack.
“It’s okay,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “You’ll see her again before you know it.”
“I know,” she says, returning the hug. “I just… It never gets easier, you know?”
“Well, I don’t know,” I say, chuckling. “But I can tell.”
I feel a twinge in my heart thinking about Nia being gone as well. That kid has me wrapped around her finger already. I should bring her along to the boardroom sometime. No one would be able to say no to that face.
I kiss the top of Jane’s head. I want to protect her from every bad feeling even though I know I can’t. I almost wonder what’s wrong with me, but, for once, I think something is right. Everything from the courtroom on feels like a new me. I didn’t know one person could have that much influence over someone. She teaches me something new every day I've been with her. No one has ever done that for me before.
She’s the first to break the hug.
“I need a bath,”
