AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Okay, going into the dressing room there are various bras and underthings that you need for the dresses. I’ll bring you the first one to try on.”
"This is going to be awesome," Leah says as Clarissa hands her a glass of champagne.
I go into the dressing room and my eyes widen at all the different kinds of bras and underthings. I run my hand down thesoft silk and sigh. I've always been a sucker for soft and feminine fabrics.
"First dress incoming!" Clarissa calls out and hands over a dress.
I hang it up as I slip out of my jeans and t-shirt. The slight shimmer of the lavender makes the dress almost glow. It's my favorite shade and the satin feels cool and sumptuous against my skin as I slip it on and zip up the side. I step out of the dressing room and face the mirror and my two friends.
"That is one heck of a dress," Leah says as I step in front of the mirror.
Clarissa takes a closer look at the fit of the dress and walks around me, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"We can do some alterations, nip it in here a bit at the waist and then raise the hem just slightly so you don't trip. Other than that, it's a perfect fit and you look beautiful.”
"How does it feel?" Leah asks as she gets up to stand behind me. I see her grin in the mirror.
"Those New York society women aren't going to know what hit them. You're going to have all the eligible bachelors circling.”
"I don’t think that is going to be a problem. No one wants to date a little bookshop owner from Nowhere, Maine.”
"In that dress, I imagine some men would move anywhere to be with you. I recommend leaving your hair down in a riot of curls with this one.
"What do you think? Is it a keeper? I'm thinking this one would be perfect for the auction night. It is elegant but subtle and not too formal."
"I agree. It's perfect. You have the best eye,” I smile at Clarissa and turn to look in the mirror again. I imagine pieces of art and jewelry, offers for trips on a yacht to the Mediterranean, and other crazy expensive things that people donate to an auction at this level. I can almost feel Mason's hand warm on my backas he leads me from table to table chatting with people as I sip my glass of champagne. I shudder at the image, the feel of his imaginary hand on my bare skin.
"Okay, are we ready to look at gala options? I can't wait to see." Leah rubs her hands together banishing the fantasy as she makes me laugh.
That is all it is, a fantasy, even if he does touch me it will only be to move me to the next place. He isn't attracted to me and no amount of polish is going to change his image of me as his best friend’s little sister.
I drink champagne and try on loads of formal dresses, finally settling on a long red number with crystals and a plunging neckline. It is more, much more, daring than anything I would normally choose. But my friends are adamant it is my only choice. Next are accessories and shoes, discussions of hairstyles, and debates about more casual outfits. By the time we are done Leah has talked me into much more than I planned. Clarissa and I almost faint at the total. With a swipe of Mason's card the transaction is complete.
"Thank you for choosing the boutique instead of those swanky stores in New York. You have no idea what this means to my business. If you tell the others at the gala where you bought your dress it might help with traffic through here when people come to visit. It's a long shot but even this sale makes a huge difference to my bottom line. It gives me a little bit of a safety net. I don't know how I can ever repay you, Emily."
I hug her and pull back. "I didn’t do anything for you. It was you who helped me. It was like having my own personal shopper. Someone that really knows me and what makes me comfortable and what will fit my body. I had a great night with two friends and didn’t have to contend with crowds or snooty shop people. This was the best night I've had in a long time.”
"By the way, how did your date with Stuart go? The whole town was buzzing when the two of you were out at Gino’s the other night."
I sigh and sit down on one of the chairs near the counter.
"It was a bust. He is a great guy, handsome, smart, loves to read, and on paper he should be exactly what I'm looking for."
"But there wasn’t any spark?" She asks and I shake my head.
"Exactly. I think maybe I’ll go out with him again and see if something develops but I don’t have a lot of hope."
She squeezes my hand. "Your knight in shining armor or cowboy or billionaire is out there somewhere, happily ever after girl."
"He sure is taking his sweet time to show up," I tell her as I heft one of the bags in front of me.
"Now go home and put your feet up. You have to be exhausted after working all day and then setting this up. If you need help rearranging the shop let me know."
"Thanks, but I think I will keep it this way for a while. I kind of like the new vibe."
I tell her it's a pretty sweet vibe, and wave as I’m walking out the door. I know she thinks my prince charming might be coming sometime but I feel like I’ve already found him. He just isn’t interested.
Chapter Six
