It has no sleeves, a… heart-shaped chest area? I think that’s what it’s called. And the skirt does this floaty swishy thing that looks like it was made to twirl in. There are tiny stitched flowers along the bottom…don’t ask me how she did that…and little shiny threads that catch the light like sparkles but in a classy, non-disco-ball way.
I don’t know fashion, but this dress?
It justfeelslike Abby.
Cute, colorful, and fun.
Abby stares at it… then at me… then back at the dress.
“Oh, Eli,” she breathes, eyes getting shiny. “Itisme.”
“Exactly,” I smile. “And if this guy doesn’t fall head over heels the second he sees you in this dress? He’s blind, and we shall mock him accordingly.”
Riley snorts. Lila raises her hand for a high-five.
Abby hugs the dress to her chest like it’s a lifeline.
“Okay, do me next,” Sunny smiles brightly.
Laughing, I shake my head and take my seat back on the bed.
“Yeah,” Abby whispers. “This one. I’ll wear this one.”
“And you’re going to look adorable,” I grin, “but, like, in a ‘don’t mess with me, I run with bikers’ kind of way.”
She laughs, cheeks pinker than the dress.
“You still coming with me?” Abby asks.
“Yep,” I nod. “Skip won’t let me get more than, like, a five-foot leash away from him, so he’ll be lurking nearby in case we need him.”
“Good,” she sighs, genuine relief softening her shoulders. “That actually makes me feel better.”
“What, you don’t thinkIcan protect you?” I ask, widening my eyes in mock betrayal.
Her eyes go huge, horrified, and I burst out laughing.
“I’m being silly,” I tease. “You and I both know I’m only there for show. But hey…maybe my property cut will help remind this guy exactly who you belong to. You deserve a man who can handle the insane amount of testosterone in your orbit.”
I reach up and touchmycut. The one Skip insists I wear anytime I step outside the house… or inside… basically anytime I’m vertical.
It reads PROPERTY OF SKIP in big, proud letters across my back.
I love it.
I didn’t think I would, but it makes my heart warm every time I slip it on.
Abby rushes into the bathroom to change, and Sunny swoops in like a hair-styling fairy godmother.
Three hours later…yes, three entire hours…we’re finally ready for her date.
Skip is waiting by the car, arms crossed, eyes star-bright.
“You look beautiful, Abby,” he says warmly. “I’ll be far enough away not to be seen, but close enough that I’ll be on you in seconds if anything feels off.”
“Thank you,” she says, smiling softly. “But I’m keeping Eli next to me.”
“Understood,” Skip laughs.
