Chapter 21: The New Sundress

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the room. Raine hummed as she prepared her usual breakfast, the sounds of her cooking filling the quiet space. But today, there was a noticeable difference—today, she wore a new sundress, the light blue fabric flowing gently as she moved. The dress had delicate floral embroidery that added a touch of elegance, something she never allowed herself to wear before.

She twirled in front of the mirror, admiring the way the dress hugged her figure, the soft fabric catching the light. She had never indulged in something like this before. The excitement she felt was palpable—this was her first real purchase for herself in a long time, and it felt... freeing.

As she adjusted the dress one last time, she noticed Jeff standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her. His gaze wasn't the usual neutral look he gave her—it lingered for a moment too long, a slight blush creeping across his face as he seemed to take in every detail.

Raine, ever perceptive, caught the look and grinned. "What, does it look bad?" she asked, half teasing, half genuinely curious.

Jeff quickly snapped out of his daze, his blush deepening. He cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking. "No... no, it suits you," he said, his voice quiet, but earnest. "It looks... good on you."

Raine's smile widened, and she straightened up, striking a little pose in front of him. "You think so?" She twirled again, the skirt of the dress flaring out as she spun. "I think it's amazing! You wouldn't believe it, Jeff, but I got this for 60% off at the mall! It's like a dream come true!"

She looked at him like a child showing off a new toy, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've never bought anything like this before! It's not something I could ever afford normally, but today, there was this crazy discount, and I couldn't resist! Can you believe it? 60% off! I'm so happy about it!"

Jeff stood there for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He hadn't expected Raine to be so excited about something like a dress, especially after seeing her walk out of the boutique earlier, a quiet sadness in her eyes. But today, something had shifted in her, and it made his heart ache a little. There was joy in her face now, something that had been absent for far too long. She looked... free.

"It really does suit you," he said again, his voice soft, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Raine's face lit up, and she gave a little bounce, clearly delighted by the compliment. "You know, I usually wear these cheap baggy t-shirts, nothing like this. It's so strange to wear something so... so nice. I don't even know if I'm allowed to wear something like this," she said, the last part more to herself than to Jeff. She smiled shyly, as though the idea of wearing something so fancy still felt foreign to her.

Jeff swallowed, his gaze flickering down to her dress again, trying to push back the feeling that had surged within him. He had never seen her so carefree, so genuinely happy about something. And if he was being honest with himself, it was hard to look at her and not feel something—something deep, something he couldn't easily explain.

"It's... you look different," Jeff finally muttered, unsure of how to articulate what he was feeling. "In a good way."

Raine's eyes sparkled with excitement. She laughed, the sound light and carefree, like the weight of her usual struggles had momentarily lifted. "I feel different," she said, brushing the skirt of her dress with her hand. "I just wish I could buy more things like this. But one step at a time, right?"

She stepped toward the kitchen counter, gathering the food she had made for the day. Her excitement hadn't worn off yet, and she was still holding onto the thrill of making a rare purchase for herself, something that made her feel more than just a worker or someone who lived paycheck to paycheck.

Jeff watched her for a moment longer, and then, unable to help himself, he spoke again. "You deserve more than just one dress like that, you know. You shouldn't have to just admire things from the outside. You should be able to have everything you want."

Raine froze for a second, the sound of his words catching her by surprise. Her back was to him, so he couldn't see the small frown that tugged at her lips. She didn't respond immediately, as if she were weighing his words carefully. But then, with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she spoke.

"Maybe one day," she said softly. "Maybe one day, I'll be able to buy everything I want."

But even as she said it, her heart felt a little heavier. She had always been practical—she had never allowed herself the luxury of expecting more. This dress was a rare indulgence, and even then, it felt like a guilty pleasure. She didn't know if she could ever allow herself to truly dream of a life where she could have it all.

Jeff, sensing the shift in the air, decided to change the subject. "So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, trying to keep things light.

Raine brightened again, grateful for the change in topic. "Well, I've got a few errands to run. A couple of things to take care of, and then maybe I'll just enjoy the day for once." She looked back over her shoulder at him, her smile genuine once again. "But I'll be back in the evening, so don't worry about me."

Jeff nodded, his mind still racing with thoughts of the words he had said earlier. He didn't quite know why he'd spoken them, why it had felt so important to tell her that she deserved more. Maybe it was just a fleeting thought, something he had no real right to say. But seeing her so happy in that dress had stirred something in him. Something that wasn't easy to ignore.

Raine finished preparing the food and placed it on the counter, ready to head out for her day. She turned to Jeff one last time, her blue dress swaying slightly with her movements. "Thanks for being here," she said with a smile. "You're the best, you know that?"

Jeff smiled back, his heart skipping a beat, but he said nothing in response. He just watched as she grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her bright smile lingering in his thoughts.

As the door closed behind her, Jeff exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He knew he wasn't supposed to get involved, not like this. But something about Raine—her kindness, her quiet strength—made it hard to ignore the feelings that had been growing inside him. It wasn't just about the dress, or the way she had smiled when she showed it off. It was something deeper.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time to admit that he didn't just see her as the girl who worked in the kitchen.