The home décor store was next. Given the limited wall space in the living room, Marissa suggested finding one large watercolor painting and basing the accent colors on it. Alice's new cream-colored couch would complement many accent colors.

She eventually chose a soft, quaint painting of a house's exterior. A bicycle leaned against the wall; the backyard gate and window awning were turquoise, and various red and pink plants were scattered throughout.

Marissa found turquoise and red-violet throw pillows and matching curtains for the small kitchen window. She also found rugs and coffee table decorations that matched the painting's color scheme.

Another watercolor painting, this time a lake scene, was selected for the bedroom. It would complement the light blue bedding.

At the mattress store, Alice patted a particularly soft memory foam mattress before dramatically throwing herself backward onto it. She sank several inches, giggling—an uncharacteristic display of childishness.

This wasn't like her at all. Spending so much time lately with Keeley, who could be quite silly, must have had an influence.

Roger stifled a laugh. "Sorry, I didn't expect that."

"I'm not myself these days," Alice said ruefully. "These clothes aren't even mine. I couldn't bring any when I left, so Keeley's been lending me some of hers. They feel strange; her style isn't mine at all. I'm used to dresses."

"It's not that the clothes don't suit you; you just seem uncomfortable. You look nice either way."

The compliment cheered her up. "Thank you!"

"I've never seen you with your hair down before. It looks good," he added.

She was surprised a man would notice her hair. Brock certainly never had. Had Roger always been so attentive? She hadn't noticed.

"I don't usually wear it down. It's nice not having to use bobby pins, though."

"You lost me at 'bobby pins.'"

Alice smiled. Of course he wouldn't understand. Men didn't have to deal with such things.

"They hold updos in place. Sometimes they get stuck for days, even after washing your hair!"

"That sounds awful."

"You have a sister. How do you not know about bobby pins?" she teased.

Roger shrugged. "Marissa and Mom prefer to wear their hair down. If they own bobby pins, I've never seen them."

Alice dismissed it, staring at the ceiling as she continued to sink into the mattress. She definitely wanted it. She'd sleep like a baby on something so comfortable.

She wondered who coined that phrase, though. Babies don't sleep well. She'd been woken more than once by the Hale twins' wails around 4 AM. She didn't know how Keeley and Aaron coped and still functioned daily.

Marissa returned from the bathroom and saw her. "Find a winner?"

"I think so," Alice said, sitting up, slightly embarrassed.

Marissa's phone buzzed, and she groaned at the message. Her expression turned apologetic.

"Alice, I'm so sorry, but the delivery people are delayed three hours. I don't have other clients today, so you can come back to my office if you like."

Alice hesitated. She had time to shop but lacked transportation and didn't know how to shop cost-effectively. Marissa probably did, but would she want to help a stranger?

"This might be forwardbut could you help me buy some clothes while we wait? These aren't mine," she said, gesturing to her outfit. "I love your dress. Where did you get it?"

Marissa seemed delighted. "This old thing? Kohl's. $36."

Alice's jaw dropped. $36 for a dress?! She'd never spent that little on a hair accessory!

"Can you teach me your ways?" she asked humbly. She needed a budget-friendly fashion icon.

Marissa's eyes lit up. "Shopping without paying is one of my favorite things! I'd love to! Roger, you can leave."

He looked oddly betrayed. "I don't have anything better to do; don't banish me."

She raised an eyebrow. "You really want to watch us shop?"

"Why not?" Roger shrugged. "I can finally see you in your natural habitat."

Marissa laughed and conceded. They paid for the mattress, arranging for delivery that day, before heading to the nearest clothing store.

Alice wanted enough dresses for every day of the month, slacks, blouses, and high heels. She also needed jeans and comfortable shoes for work (they provided the uniform shirt).

She was in heaven, back in a store, even if it was different from what she was used to. Being surrounded by clothes felt like coming home.

Admittedly, there were fewer things she liked here. Marissa helped, picking out items she'd wear herself and showing them to Alice. Most of the time, Alice tried them on.

They checked the entire store. Roger's cart overflowed with dresses.

Alice tried on dress after dress with a contented smile. Marissa and Roger offered compliments or criticisms. Shopping with them was far more fun than with her mother-in-law's group.

"Love the pattern, hate the puffy sleeves," Marissa declared about one dress.

"Yeah, it's straight out of the 80s," Roger agreed.

Alice checked the mirror. They were right. That one was rejected. Of what she tried on, only about half made the cut.

Her favorite might have been a short-sleeved maroon collared dress with a matching belt. It reminded her of a dress she'd left behind, and she felt sad thinking about the Jimmy Choo sandals that would have paired perfectly.

The final paragraph ("Search the NovelFire.net") was removed as it was promotional material unrelated to the text cleanup.