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“Where’s that?” I asked, wondering where someone like Tess would actually have the most fun.
Tess wore a devilish grin. “Wardrobe.”
“Wardrobe?”
She nodded. “Precisely. And I’m going to find you a dress to borrow for the party.”
“Oh, I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Tess pulled me along with her toward a pink golf cart, and we were moving so fast that I thought I might trip and spill my lemonade.
We got on the cart, with Tess sitting behind the wheel, and she turned the key and put it in gear. One minute, the brake lock was on, and the next, we were on our way, hauling ass across the lot. People were smiling and waving, and Tess grinned from ear to ear as well.
“You’re going to love this,” she said. “I borrow from wardrobe all the time.”
“But you’re a big star, and I’m just a consultant. I’m sure they’d pay you to wear their clothes.”
“And they’ll give me anything I want as well, including a dress for my newest, coolest friend.”
I hadn’t been called cool in my life. I had always been a brainy nerd who had somehow won the heart of the hottest boy in high school.
“If you think it’s okay.”
“Oh, I know it’s okay. Trust me, Kate. I’m going to find the perfect dress for you.”
We skidded as she hit the brakes and stopped outside of a busy warehouse. “Come on.” She took my hand and dragged me off the cart, and we walked right past the woman at the front desk and went about our business like we belonged there.
There were rows and rows of clothes. Aisles of shoes and accessories, too, even handbags and jewelry. It was like my mother’s closet, only much more intimidating. “Shouldn’t we sign in or ask for help?”
Tess waved her hand dismissively. “No, it’s okay. I know my way around. We need something for the evening. Black or red would look good, although I think purple would look nice with your green eyes.”
“I like purple or red. Black is depressing. I don’t want to look like I’m at a funeral.”
Tess thought that was funny too. “Have you heard of a little black dress?”
“I have,” I said, trying not to be insulted. “But I wear a lot of hiking boots if that tells you anything.”
“It does.” She led me through the aisles, and we stopped at one section that had a lot of skinny garment bags. “Here we go.”
She looked me up and down. “You’re what? A size four?”
“Eight,” I said, wondering if she was just being nice or if she needed her head examined.
“Really?” She gave me a sideways look. She turned her attention back to the rack. “Then, let’s try these.” She pulled a dress off of the rack and then another.
Before long, I had an armful. “Go behind the screen and try those,” she said.
I looked around for a fitting room, but there wasn’t one. All they had was a little screen and two tall, free-standing mirrors on a small carpeted square. “You mean I’m supposed to change right there?”
“Yes, it’s okay. Hurry along. I want to see the dark blue one on you.”
I suddenly felt like I was back in high school, trying on prom dresses for my mom. Only Tess wanted me to show much more skin.
“Not that one,” she said when I stepped out in a tight blue dress that made my breasts look like they were twice the size. “It’s hot, but too hot. We want you to look like a starlet, not a harlot.”
I hurried back into the area and stripped off the dress, trying to decide between which one to try on next. Thankfully, my new friend had already made up my mind for me.
“Do the black one next,” she said. “I know it’s a bit longer, but it has a nice split in the side, and you’re still showing a little knee.”
I had no idea how she knew, but when I put the dress on, it fit just how she thought it would. I looked in the mirror and let out a deep breath. There was something off about the fit, and I felt like if I were to sit, that split would go all the way up my thigh.
“I hate it,” I said, stepping out. “It’s not comfortable.”
“You’re not in the Amazon, Kate, and I already knew you weren’t going to like the black one.” She giggled. “It looks good, but I think it’s a bit too formal for this party.”
“I could try the red or the dark purple.”
“Red. I have a feeling about that dress. It’s a nice, soft fabric, and it’s stretchy too, which will mean it’s not confining while it hugs your body.”
I wasn’t so sure. “Tess, I just want to look nice. I don’t know if red is going to work. You said starlet, not harlot, remember?”
