Molly pressed her lips together.
Perfect.
Her fingers trailed lightly, hopefully over the red-wrapped, gold-trimmed package. He noticed details. He should be able to see how deliberately she wrapped this one gift, in comparison to all the others. How she took her time to make something especially for him. Even he couldn't dismiss what that meant.
He admired details. So, she wore red lipstick to match. Surely that would give him another clue. He was able to read so much, from so little. That's all she wanted to give him, little hints. But, she knew she was an open book. So easy to read to him. But then again, wasn't everyone?
Nothing could fool Sherlock Holmes.
So, she wore the dress.
Of course it was a bit obvious. But, for once in her life, Molly wanted to be noticed. To be looked at, not through. This was her chance, to get him to notice her, to appreciate her. To like her. To see a small hint of a smile quirk at the corner of his lips when he opens her gift. To look up at her with those piercing eyes that knew and saw all. That's all she really needed.
When she walked out of the door that night, bag full of gifts slung around her arm and coat covering her body from the cold, Molly had never felt so excited.
Tonight was the night Sherlock Holmes would see her.