Chapter 17. Restaurant

Julia

The limo pulls up outside of a fancy restaurant. I hold my breath, not sure what to do. I’ve never been to any place like this before. When a man opens the door for me, I step out, wearing the black dress Cindy helped me pick out. I know I look my very best. After the makeover, I’d looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. I think about what Jeff would say if he saw me now. He might not recognize me either.

Would Mr. Merriweather?

As I walk to the door of the most elegant restaurant I have ever been to, I think about what I will do if this is all a joke. What if I walk in, and Mr. Merriweather isn’t there? Or he says I must be mistaken, and he didn’t want to have dinner with me? I take calming breaths as the door is opened for me, and I approach the maître D.

I expect him to look at me as if I do not belong here, but he smiles at me, a twinkle in his eyes, as he asks, “How may I help you, mademoiselle?”

“Hello,” I say, n