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He ushered me toward a rack of dresses. I flicked through them and came out with three the assistant suggested.
I glanced over my shoulder and found Cleb lying near-horizontal in his chair, bored to tears. I felt sorry for him and came up with a cunning plan.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said to the assistant.
I took a seat beside Cleb and whispered hurriedly to him.
“I’ve got a new secret mission,” I said, glancing left to right as if someone might be eavesdropping.
He snapped to attention.
“What is it?” he said.
“You know this event I’m going to tonight with Traes? It’s not just a social gathering. I’m there to look for undercover spies.”
His mouth fell open.
“But you’re an undercover spy…” he said.
“Yes, but I’m a good one. I’m looking for the bad ones. It’s really important I fit in at this event. If I stand out, they’ll notice me… And maybe I won’t come back.”
“They’ll take you?” Cleb said, genuine fear painting his face. I hadn’t meant for him to take it so seriously. He wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t go!”
“I won’t go anywhere,” I said. “My commanders said we’re doing a really good job. They want to make sure we stay here and keep doing what we’re doing. But to do that, I have to go to the event tonight. I need you to help me pick the best dress. Can you do that?”
Cleb wiped his nose and nodded.
“Yes,” he said. “I can do it.”
“Okay. I’m going to go change,” I said. “When I come out, I want you to tell me which dress looks best.”
He nodded his head and this time sat upright. He kept his eyes fixed firmly on me as I entered the changing rooms.
I came out wearing the first dress. It was a short, sexy little number. Cleb clapped his hands excitedly when he saw me. I performed a turn and extend my arms out to either side.
“Gorgeous!” the sales assistant said, joining in the applause.
I headed back to the changing room and emerged in the next dress. Cleb held up both thumbs again. It was white, beautiful, and elegant but the train made me nervous. If somebody else didn’t tread on it, I certainly would. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass Traes.
I put it in the Maybe pile.
The final dress was red, with frills around the chest and hem. Cleb clapped his hands excitedly.
“Well?” I said. “Which one do you think is best?”
“All of them!” he said.
I kissed him on the forehead.
“You’re very sweet,” I said. “But I only need one.”
Cleb pursed his lips and bit his bottom lip. As he thought my life depended on this decision, I wasn’t sure it was best for him to choose.
I turned to the sales assistant, who said, “You look gorgeous in all three…”
“But?” I said.
“If I may, I would suggest the black dress,” he said. “It goes beautifully with your skin tone and if you wear a little makeup around your eyes, I think it would really draw people in. May I also suggest you rent some jewelry? A nice simple diamond or white gold necklace would stand out.”
