The interior was more jaw dropping than she could have possibly imagined. If she had known lingerie stores were like this, she would have made a point of visiting them with Lucie, although to be fair, Lucie had never described anything like this.
What Lily could see in front of her looked like five different showcases housed on the ground floor, for five different kinds of personalities. Lily had never thought of underwear as being anything but basic clothes that only needed to fit, be clean, and —thanks to TraceyAnn—avoid the cardinal sin of visibility. She had never really considered underwear as something that could be curated, or appreciated for its own design.
Each showcase resembled a dressing parlor with its own distinct, almost theatrical, lighting and design, all tied to a theme. Throughout each parlor were racks of bras, corsets, lacy bottoms and stockings, which made up that particular collection, with its private try-on area for clients, complete with a large decorative screen and huge floor to ceiling mirror. Chairs that fit each theme studded the parlor, perhaps for the friends of the person trying on the lingerie. Certainly each set made her want to do her own version of dress up, and with lingerie like this, it was a shame to keep it hidden.
Lily wondered what Col would be like here, if he would enjoy watching a private fashion show. Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, the idea of displaying herself in some of the items that were within view. Some were bare wisps of fabric, artfully put together, but definitely not anything that she had ever had on her body before. Or on sale at Walmart.
And now that she thought of it, each time they had been together, there hadn’t been any planning. It just happened, like it was meant to be. Even in the dinner that he had hijacked from Aylwyn, she had first been surprised to see Col, and then even more surprised by how she felt about him afterwards. Lily had begged him to take it slow, but now she was the one who had difficulty putting on the brakes.
This was the first time that she was actually expecting to see him, be with him. And the talk they had to have, where she would finally come clean, would make her feel more exposed than wearing any of the tiny little flutters of lace displayed on a padded hanger.
For the moment, though, she would push aside thinking of the conversation that they would have over dinner, when they were finally alone together, and not…doing the other things that precluded talking. Right now, it was about picking out beautifully displayed and doubtlessly expensive underwear ….
Her heart warmed again at how it was truly wonderful of Rika to send her here, with an open tab that Simon would be taking care of. Lily continued taking in the sheer opulence of the store. Even the carpet beneath her feet was a thick, plush pile that made her every step a whisper, further adding to the feeling of secret assignations, rendezvous with lovers in the dark. She noted how each parlor could also be curtained off for even more privacy, and she remembered now how TraceyAnn had mentioned that boudoir photography was done here as well by appointment. It was easy to see that, with the five sets in front of her. And for all she knew, there might be more in the back. But just with the ones in view, it was fun playingWhich Theme is That?Followed by,What Should I Look at First?
The one nearest to her was something very French and historical, bringing to mind Madame de Pompadour and the silk finery and art objects befitting the famous mistress of the King of France, complete with a mint green satin covered chaise longue.
Next to it was very Classic Hollywood Glamour, or maybe even Burlesque, complete with a fluffy white Boa artfully draped over an art deco chaise longue, and plenty of satin ribbed waist cinchers and corsetry. The carpet was leopard spotted, and the overall palette featured a great deal of powder pink, white, and gold.
A third would appeal to the more adventurous bedroom type, with its glossy black walls, red accents and objects that she couldn’t even begin to speculate on how to use. It made her blush even to look at it. Lily had to smile to herself. Her forays into the woods with Col were a whole different sort of adventurous!
The fourth had an Arabian Nights theme, with golden carvings, plush cushions, and elaborate wood latticework on the walls. The rich damask silks and the soft glow of the lit lanterns made it very inviting.
The last was the one that Lily personally gravitated too. It was perhaps the least elaborate, with an airy, sporty feel to it. Despite the store’s name, it appeared to have the least amount of frills. It could be a reaction to the medieval clothes and accessories that surrounded Lily each day, or it simply was the way she saw herself. She wasn’t very fussy or high maintenance. She was just your ordinary, average girl sleeping with someone who could turn into a ginormous wolf, running from a drug dealing ex. See? No frills.
And still no sign of anyone.
Light, ambient music flowed in the background, with a round counter in the center of the shop, featuring various accessories for sale in the glass case built into it, on top. It was also where Lily supposed transactions were made and purchases were wrapped up. As she walked around the counter, she spotted what could only be an elaborate but small dog bed that was camouflaged from the front. She wondered where the dog was, but was distracted by the sounds of someone moving in the back.
“Hello?” Lily called out tentatively. A woman in her late 40s or 50s came out, wearing a black dress, pearls and patent leather pumps. Her black hair was swept back into a chic bun, and her cats eye glasses had two long beaded strands that connected on the back of her neck.
Her bright red lipstick accentuated a tense smile. Her eyes were flittering about, and she was blinking rapidly.
“I am so sorry for the delay. You are Katie Cooper, I take it?” Her voice was cultured, but tight.
“Yes. I understand that Rika —”
“Yes, yes, arrangements have been made for your private shopping appointment,” the salesperson said in a rush. Her voice was unnaturally loud, as if she were onstage and needed to be heard in the back of the audience. Her eyes kept sliding to the side, like she’d explode if they made eye contact.
Something was off. But then again, maybe this was what chi-chi lingerie stores were like. After all, Lily had never been to one, let alone a private shopping appointment. Since she had been to Gardendale, her life had been a whole series of firsts.
But she wouldn’t expect the salesperson to act so oddly. Maybe she was just annoyed that she had to stay late for this private appointment? But wait, that didn’t make sense either. Didn’t salespeople work on commission at fancy places like this?
Still, Lily needed at the very least to be able to change into the beautiful new dress and shoes somewhere. She had the shopping bag awkwardly clutched in one hand, and the corners of the shoe box banging against the fabric of her Medieval kirtle each time she moved. It couldn’t be all that difficult to pick out a strapless bra and matching panty that would avoid the dreaded VPL, even if the salesperson was acting like her own underwear was giving her electric shocks. Or something.
She had a little over an hour before she was supposed to be at the restaurant, so maybe it was a good thing that the salesperson was so twitchy. Lily didn’t mind making this a fast trip and getting to the restaurant early.
“OK,” Lily said, setting down her shopping bag. “How does this work?”
“Ah, yes.” Miss Twitchy blinked some more. “The store’s all yours while you look and try on anything you want. Normally I’d talk with you about what your preferences are and make some suggestions, or if you’d like to look at the various collections on your own first, that’s certainly your prerogative as well.” Miss Twitchy’s eyes kept flying to the sides, and Lily couldn’t help but start feeling jumpy also. If she wasn’t already feeling kinda nervous about tonight, she was making up for it big time. Maybe the sooner she could get what she came for, the sooner she’d get to the restaurant. Where there was a bar. With the drink that she was starting to need.
“You know what?” Lily watched Miss Twitchy’s head swivel towards her. “Maybe if I show you the dress, it’ll be fastest if you pick out what would work with it.”
“Oh!” Her eyes flew wide open. “I am—excuse me, I am so sorry. Of course. Why don’t I take a look, and then maybe you can also look around, see what else you would like.”
Lily would have been tempted, except now she was anxious to leave. It was like every instinct she had was screaming at her to go, totally belying the ambiance of the shop.
She must really be a lot more nervous about tonight than she thought.
