Chapter 41
Tate
“What do you think about this one?”My lips pinch as I turn right and then left in the three-way mirror.Callie looks up, knee to chest, as she attempts to step into her third dress.
“Sis, you look fire!That color on you—” She makes a chef’s-kiss motion.
I tip my head to my other shoulder, evaluating.Yellow silk runs like water from the thread-like strap over my shoulders to about my hips before jutting off in big wispy ruffles.There is a large peekaboo slit that gives way to my legs every time I walk.The dress itself is a piece of art, and in my favorite sunny yellow color, but it still doesn’t feel right.
Callie lets out a sigh, seemingly reading my inner thoughts in the creases of my frown.“Tim, come here and tell my sister the dress she’s wearing is amazing and will kill Levi when he sees it.”
“Shh, Callie!”I whine.
She just smiles before quickly lifting her shoulders and dropping them.Tim’s head pops through the heavy curtain of the dressing room.“You called?”
“Yeah, tell Tate this is the one.”He looks over at me, his eyes doing a quick scan, head to toe.
“Now, Tate, I’m not just saying this because I want to leave, because I do, but I think that dress looks beautiful on you.”Then he turns to Callie who just managed to get a two-piece lilac tube top and bodycon skirt in place.The tiniest slice of skin shows between the two.She poses, the backs of her hands flexing under her chin, and smiles.“And you, my dear, are stunning.”
She lets out a high-pitched squeal before jumping straight into his arms.He’s quick to scoop up her lower half since she can’t move her legs in that skirt.He carefully sets her back down.
“I love you,” he says, giving her a quick kiss.
“I love you too.Be out in a minute.”When the curtain finally stills, Callie rolls off the tight skirt before folding it nicely on the bench.I haven’t moved.
“Maybe I need an accessory?”The thought is calming.I carefully move the curtain enough so I can leave and make my way back into the showroom.
The lady at the front has a little bit of pretentious-barista energy.When she sees me coming, she doesn’t hide her lack of enthusiasm.She just purses her lips and says, “All runway gowns are unique.There are no other sizes or adjustments.If there is a problem with the dress, there’s nothing we—”
“No problem with the dress.I love it,” I say, cutting her off.
“Oh.”Her frown deepens and I’m sure her inner monologue is saying something like, Then why are you here?Are you planning to wear it out?
“I was just wondering if you had any accessories...Hats, gloves, fun shoes?”
She nods, walking me to the back part of the store where hats, gloves, scarfs, and pins are all neatly arranged and backlit on a wall.She looks at me and then back to the wall before grabbing what can only be described as a beaded swimmer’s cap.She hands it to me, the weight of the beads surprising me at the handoff.I walk over to an oval mirror and carefully place the hat over my head.It’s so fun I want to scream.Callie appears at the front, placing her outfit at the checkout, then she spots me.
“Oh my!That is so you,” she says, coming up from behind me.
“Right?It’s the complete runway look!I have to get it, right?”
“Absolutely!”She nods her head rapidly.
