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“Thanks. The awards show is a black-tie banquet. Drew and Aithan will be in tuxes and I definitely need a gown.”
Lorelei nodded. “We’re smart to budget extra for that. I recommend you have a gown made. I have a seamstress in mind who does excellent work, and she can keep it, say, within a twelve-hundred-dollar budget, depending on fabrics. We’ll have a hard time finding an excellent evening gown for you off the rack. We can find a dress that’ll work with some alterations, but it won’t be the kind of piece you and your guys want you to wear that night. Especially if you win.”
I took a deep breath at the price. “Okay. Considering I’ve been ignoring my clothes for years, if I look at it as a per year budget, I’m probably getting off cheap. And, yeah, I want to knock the guys’ socks off with that awards show dress.”
“Me too.” She clapped her hands. “Let’s get started. Trust me, Zelda, this’ll be fun and you’re definitely gonna floor everyone.”
Within an hour, Lorelei had narrowed down the items I needed and the shops to visit. She explained why I had to replace my three-plus-year-old bras, then took my measurements and texted her chosen stores. Off we went to spend more money on clothing in a day than I usually spent in five years.
The day was exhausting but fun. Once we had everything, we returned to her office. She laid out all the clothes and quickly assembled outfits, taking reference pictures for me.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked as we packed up my new wardrobe.
“I think this was a much better day than I expected. And I think I’m going to feel a hundred times better about going out. You’re right about the fit making such a huge difference. I never realized what a good bra could do for you.”
She nodded. “Absolutely. Your guys are gonna be thrilled with their restyled girlfriend.”
I tucked my hair behind my ears. “Yeah, they will be.”
11
A ROTTING FOUNDATION
Aithan pulledinto the townhouse’s carport and turned off the SUV’s engine. He ran his hands over the steering wheel and smiled. The new Audi was the same bright blue as Zel’s sporty little Mini. Its leather interior was dark gray and flawless. He’d gotten a good deal on it, too. With the new year’s models coming in, the dealership was eager to clear off their pre-owned vehicles.
He got out and walked around the Q7, pleased with his purchase. Sure, it was used, but it was new to him. Bonus points that no one stole it, set it on fire, and it dumped on the side of the road in Shoreline.
“Nice ride.”
Aithan looked up. Drew stood on the second-floor balcony. “Thanks. I’m pretty happy with it.”
“Good deal?”
“Definitely, and it checks the last thing off my to-do list. Credit cards, ID, phone, transportation.”
“Glad that’s behind ya.”
“Me, too.” Aithan triggered the door locks then headed inside. He left his shoes and jacket in the foyer and headed upstairs where he found Drew in the kitchen, motoring through an apple and a jar of almond butter. “Where’s our girl?”
“Still clothes shopping.”
Aithan pulled his water bottle from his gym bag and dropped the bag by the third-floor stairs. He dumped the remaining water in the sink and washed the bottle. “You must be pretty pleased with yourself over that coup.”
Drew arched a brow. “Coup?”
“Getting her to do something she didn’t want to do.”
“Well ….” He munched apple and thought about that. “She needs this.”
“Does she?”
Drew put the almond butter and apple aside. “I thought you agreed with me about her sad wardrobe.”
“I do. But I’m not sure railroading her into meeting with a stylist was the right approach.”
“Railroading? Really?”
Aithan’s tightened jaw. “Yeah, really. I know you don’t see it that way, but I’ve been on the receiving end of your help, Drew. It’s not always a comfortable place to be.”
