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“What about a side sweep?” Gretta said somewhere behind me. Hands went around me, and I recognized her touch, knowledgeable and quick. She gathered some of the front of the skirt and bunched it at my thigh before moving aside to stand out of the way. She touched Gabriel on the elbow. “Move over, sweetie.”
Gabriel stepped back with the rest of the guys. Gretta had a clip, and she did up the underside of the skirt. “I can make it longer in general, of course.”
“No, actually, that’s much better,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Right there, but with the back part just a touch longer to give it a notable difference.”
The shorter part where it was swept up felt like there was nothing there at all, like a pair of shorts. The clip held the fabric away from my leg, making it feel naked. When I couldn’t feel the material against my thigh, it had me imagining there was nothing at all.
Then I relaxed, knowing the boys would never allow that. The final dress would probably feel different.
“And with the sleeves?” Gabriel asked.
Mr. Blackbourne nodded. The others were studying me, but they stayed quiet, letting Mr. Blackbourne and Gabriel work together. I hadn’t known Mr. Blackbourne to have opinions on fashion like some of the others did. I actually liked hearing his thoughts. He’d once picked out a T-shirt dress for me, which I still had, but hadn’t worn again since, not daring to wear it to school.
“I like where there’s lace that’s a little see-through,” Gabriel said. He pointed to a spot on my stomach. “I think we should have more of that, but for this dance, have an inside part where that’s covered. But if we can remove it for different events...”
“That can be done,” Gretta said. “Do you want a different color?”
There was a flash of light, and then another. I turned to see both Victor and Luke with their cell phones out; they’d snapped pictures of me at different angles. Luke grinned and put it away. Victor held his out and moved to the side and snapped another. “I think I like the black,” he said. “That’ll work with all sorts of events.”
“Accessories can add color,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He looked over at Victor. “I’m thinking a hot pink for homecoming.”
My heart fluttered at the mention of pink. I had a feeling he was saying that for me.
“Do we want to match with her?” Victor asked.
“All black with a splash of color,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Different colors, but bright like the pink. That’ll probably work best. And with full face masks for everyone except her.”
“I’m thinking more Phantom of the Opera style,” Gabriel said. “Like lips and cheeks exposed.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “I’ll show you later.”
Gabriel pursed his lips. I got the feeling there was something Academy behind it if he didn’t want to mention it in front of Gretta.
Gretta stepped aside, with a wide smile. “I can take her measurements and get started on it.”
“We need a rush order,” Victor said. He turned to her. “If you can get it close, we can make any adjustments.”
“I hate letting a piece go without seeing the final,” she said. “It’s my name on the tag.”
“It’s a tight deadline. Would you make a house call?” Mr. Blackbourne asked.
“Of course,” she said. “After hours.”
“That works for us,” he said. “We need it by Saturday to make adjustments that morning.”
“I can probably have it prepped and delivered Friday evening,” she said, then gestured toward the gown. “Is this a winner? Are we good with it?”
“You’ve got a good eye,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “I think this will work.” He focused on me. “But do you like it, Miss Sorenson? Are you happy with it?”
I nodded quickly. I felt all their eyes on me, waiting. I wanted to redirect their attention by agreeing. I wondered if such a dress would attract more attention than I really wanted. The mask would make it tolerable; easier to focus.
Maybe that was why Volto wore one. He felt braver wearing it.
After I nodded, Mr. Blackbourne turned to Kota, Luke and Victor. “Am I missing anything?”
“If she really likes it, get it for her,” Victor said. “Buy her two.” He refocused on me. “Do you like the shoes? Should we get a necklace for it?”
“For Halloween, find something that goes around her throat,” Gretta said. “Something with a black cord or lace and something thicker. It’ll be more striking. If you’re going with hot pink this time, make it a hot pink stone in the center.”
“I think I saw something in a tourmaline,” Kota said. It was the first time he’d said anything and I was surprised he’d been so quiet. “They’ve got a hot pink type.”
“Something in a heart shape,” Luke said.
“That’s going to need to be ordered today,” Victor said. “That’ll take time to make.”
“It’ll make a big difference,” Gretta said.
“Know anyone who will do it quickly?” Mr. Blackbourne asked her.
“And please don’t say the guy in the jewelry shop downstairs,” Luke said.
Gretta laughed. “Their store is about to close. They’re too snobby, from New York. They’ll never last. They don’t realize down here that some of our richest clients can show up in overalls and mud as much as they’ll show up in something fancier. But yeah. I can give you a number to a couple of people.” She held out her hand to Victor. “We’re good?”
Victor nodded, reaching to shake her hand. I understood this meant something, like they’d reached an agreement and this was Gretta’s verification to go ahead and make the ensemble.
Price wasn’t ever mentioned at all. It was like they didn’t care what it cost. Whatever they wanted, even if it was for me, they’d p
ay it.
“You boys ready?” she asked. She looked at me. “You want to go get out of that? I’ll look for something for the guys. I should actually have a lot of it in stock right now, and I’ll just need to fit and make adjustments.”
“Gabriel first,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “And then myself. I’d like to take Miss Sorenson to pick up a few more things while the others are getting fitted.”
More shopping? I looked at Kota and the others, who simply nodded like this had been expected.
“We can catch up with you,” Kota said. “We’ll come find you when we’re done.”
“Don’t go off individually,” Mr. Blackbourne said.
“Let me help her out of this thing,” Gabriel said. “You go ahead with Gretta.”
Mr. Blackbourne nodded
I let out a slow breath, grateful the show was over.
What I really liked was that I didn’t have to make the choice in what to wear. I felt it would have been impossible since I had no idea what I liked or what looked good. Having their opinions helped so much.
Maybe it wasn’t how other girls shopped. I understood other people must have opinions about what they wear. I liked a little bit of everything and became indecisive, but the boys managed to settle the decision making process.
What I loved, what really warmed my heart, was their approval and seeing they were pleased. I walked with more confidence then. That little bit of boost made all the difference. They worked together with me. I wanted to do the same with them.
Gabriel helped me out of the gown, and I got dressed again. By the time we returned to the front of the shop, the others had gone into the back.
Gabriel hung an arm over my shoulder. “I’m going to hang back with you until someone shows up,” he said. He took out his phone and tapped at it. “We aren’t allowed to split up.”
“Fine by me,” I said.
We spent a few minutes checking out the displays. It didn’t take too long before Mr. Blackbourne was back. He motioned to Gabriel. “Head back,” he said. “Just let her recheck measurements.”
