“Don’t you dare laugh.” My voice comes out muffled from the fabric as I fight back laughter of my own.
“I’m sorry, it’s not funny,” she says through a fit of giggles. “It’s just that you remind me so much of one of those car dealership inflatable things with your arms stuck up like that.”
Now I burst out laughing.
“Help me out of here before I rip this thing,” I whine.
Jill flits over to me and begins ever so slowly wiggling the fabric up above my head.
“Easy, easy,” she whispers to herself as she works her way around the most stuck parts. After a few more seconds, I finally feel the tightest part come up past my shoulder, and I’m home free. I whip it off my head and blow a piece of wayward hair away from my mouth.
“There you go,” Jill smiles before scooping up the reject outfits from the chair in the corner of the room. “Okay, so these are all no’s?”
“Yeah.” I grimace as I look at the little mountain of clothing. Nothing’s been right so far. Too tight, too baggy,hanging off the wrong parts of my body, the list goes on. Maybe this was a bad idea, and I should’ve made some old things from my closet work.
“Can I bring you something I saw out there?” Jill gestures to the door, and I nod in agreement since there’s nothing to lose at this point.
I avoid my reflection in the mirror while waiting for her. A minute later she returns and gently knocks on the door.
“Feel free to say no, but I thought it was so pretty and would look really beautiful on you, especially with your hair color.”
Cautiously, I open the door and peek around it, where I see Jill holding up some gorgeous white and blue fabric. I reach forward and feel it, immediately surprised by how soft it is. Even if this didn’t look good, I’m sure it would feel incredible on.
I take it from her and pull it back into the change room, excited to see what it looks like in its entirety. Holding up the hanger, I appreciate the gorgeous sundress in front of me. A blue toile pattern decorates the fabric, and there’s gentle ruching along the waist, and gorgeous short ruffled sleeves. I don’t think I’ve ever owned such a beautiful dress. It strikes the perfect balance of being beautiful without being too formal.
When I slip it over my head, it slides on like it was made for me. My hands roam over the fabric along my body, appreciating the softness and feeling pretty in it before I even turn around and look in the mirror. I’m hesitant to turn around and give it a look, but when I finally muster up the courage, I’m shocked.
The dress fits me like a glove, and I love the shape and the pattern. Accentuating curves I didn’t even know I possessed. In this dress, I’m not cursing my body for the crime of simply existing.
And that realization alone — that lately I’ve been punishing my body for just existing — is painful. I shake my head and bury the thoughts as best I can before opening the door and stepping out to get Jill’s opinion.
She gasps and clasps her hands together. “I knew it would be stunning on you.”
“You think?” I stand in front of the bigger panel of mirrors nearby.
“Clover, if you don’t get that dress, it’s a crime against common sense.”
“Common sense, really?” I laugh.
“Absolutely,” she says solemnly. “You'll be going to vineyards and you need something cute for wine tasting and walks through the grounds.” A thrill rushes through me at the thought of the trip.
Whether that be a thrill of excitement or a thrill like when you’re watching a horror movie unfold? Who’s to say? The prospect of being stuck in close confines with Roman for a couple of days is overwhelming. Especially having to be in couple mode any time we’re in public. Hopefully, this trip getsTroisToioff our backs, and people no longer question the legitimacy of this.
“Come on, if you don’t buy it, I’m buying it for you,” Jill threatens.
“Alright, alright, I’ll get it.” I smile. While there’s an entire rack of rejects, it feels really good to have found this dress. I am looking forward to wearing it in Napa.
“Good,” she grins, “You get changed and I’ll meet you up front.”
I nod and head back into the change room, eternally grateful that this dress is much easier to get off than the last one.
When I head to the front, I take a minute to spot Jill. She’s standing near the entrance to the store, and there is a smallgroup of women surrounding her. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I pay quickly and go over to see what’s happening.
“Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you,” Jill says to one of the women.
“Seriously, you’re exactly who I pictured as Anna. Anything yet on who they’ll cast for Huntley?” The woman is practically vibrating with excitement.
“No, nothing yet, but we’re hoping to get that done soon,” Jill explains.
