This dress was far too expensive, Rhiannon chided herself as she smoothed the luxurious material of the red gown she wore. This was worth almost two grand and it was by far the most she’d ever spent on herself. Or all at once. This money could have paid Mom’s rent for two months. This could have gotten her car fixed. It could have been a hefty down payment on a brand-new car. Why, oh why, did I do this? She’d also spent far too much on her shoes. Rhiannon Jane Devine, what has your job done to you? Despite her friends’ encouragement that she deserved to spend some money on herself, she still downed a glass of champagne and leaned by the bar. I’m no better than Dad. The sound of someone approaching made her snap out of her reverie of self-deprecation and she forced a bright smile. “Hey. Look who cleans up real nice.”














