Page 67 of Choosing Stella

“That sounded less practical.”

“It was still practical.”

“Your face disagrees.”

He folded his arms.

“Try another one.”

I went back into my room smiling.

The second dress was better.

It was black, fitted through the waist and hips, with a slit that stopped high enough to let me move without turning into something Antonio would’ve booked by the hour. The neckline dipped but left enough fabric to hide the tracker, and narrow silver beading traced one side of the bodice.

I put on a pair of low black heels with ankle straps and walked out.

Geo stopped pretending to study the equipment.

I turned once.

“Well?”

“That one works.”

“That quickly?”

“You can walk normally.”

“I’m touched by your romance.”

He met my eyes.

“You also look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

He didn’t look away for another second.

Then he pointed toward my right side.

“The tracker can sit inside the dress there. Bancroft included two mounting options. We’ll test both before the event.”

I glanced down at the silver detail.

“Will it show?”

“Not if we position it correctly.”

I tried the other two long enough to rule them out, then put the second dress back on.

“And the shoes?”

“Walk faster.”

“Here?”

“Unless you want me to take you outside.”