Amber studied it a while longer until a new shape came together. Yes, that’s exactly how she wanted to feel. “Okay, I’ll take it.” She grabbed it off the rack. Charlotte let out her breath and smiled.
“Come on,” Amber said after they checked out. “Let's spend Theo's money on something fun.” She grabbed Charlotte’s arm, and they headed up the cobblestone sidewalk until Amber took a sharp left into the chic French lingerie store.
“Here? I don't think . . .” Charlotte stammered.
“Don’t think,” Amber said firmly. "The boss said get whatever we need."
Naughty, shimmery bits and pieces of satin and lace draped over mirrors and dressers in the soft light. She dragged Charlotte over to a wall of bustiers. "Look at this white one," she said, fingering the delicate whalebone and lace. The front demi cups were daring, revealing just enough to tantalize, yet the white gave it a touch of innocence.
"I wouldn't even know how to put that on," Charlotte said.
Amber studied it. She opened the bag with the dress she had just purchased and finally nodded.
Charlotte grew nervous. “What are you thinking?"
"I'll take this one," Amber said firmly, pulling the white bustier down from the shelf, "and this too." She grabbed a matching set of thong and garters. "OK, your turn. What stands out to you?"
Charlotte immediately shook her head. "JC Penney is more my style."
"Yeah, that's not gonna work," Amber said. "This is a fancy event, right?"
"Yes, but nobody's going to see my underwear," Charlotte said.
“If they're lucky, they might.” Amber raised her eyebrows and wiggled them. "Come on, anything you want. What would make you feel your sexiest, most beautiful self?"
Charlotte looked around the store, and an expression of intense longing flashed so quickly Amber wasn't sure she caught it. She followed Charlotte's eyes to a set of pastel pink bra and panties. It was sheer, so sheer that it did less to cover her than to frame a lady’s softest parts. There was delicate green lace embroidery edging the cups of the bra and the matching panties. It was insanely sexy while also demure. Amber nodded in approval. Definitely Charlotte’s vibe.
“We'll take one of those,” Amber said to the saleswoman. She looked Charlotte over critically. "In a small, and I'll take the white one in medium."
"I really don't think Theo?—"
"I really don't think about Theo either. Come on, let's go." And she marched them up to the cash register and pulled out the shiny black card.
“That was really fun,” Charlotte said on the sidewalk. “Thank you for going shopping with me.”
“We’re not done yet,” Amber said. The black awning of her friend Lucy Merchant’s beauty salon was visible in the distance. She grabbed Charlotte’s hand and headed that way. “We have one more stop.”
The Pretty Parlor was quiet when they walked in. A woman with a clipboard had their back to them. “Hey, Lucy,” Amber called. Lucy Merchant, Amber andAllie’s childhood friend and neighbor from Cedarwood, turned around with a smile.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” Lucy asked. “Time for a touch up?” She looked over Amber’s pink ombre.
“No, not for me this time. This is my friend, Charlotte.”
"How do you do?" Charlotte greeted Lucy politely.
"Charlotte needs a makeover," Amber announced.
"Oh, no, I don't need a makeover. I like my hair. I haven't cut it in ages," Charlotte protested.
“I know. We're gonna fix that," Amber soothed. “Just a little change. Do you trust me?”
Charlotte hesitated. “I think so. But no pink,” she rushed to add.
“No pink. I promise. Remember, we’re just trying on something new,” Amber said. She met Charlotte’s wide eyes in the mirror, and they weren’t talking about hair.
"Well, okay, but if I'm going to do this, then I want you to try something new too."
"What?" Amber asked, skeptically. “I’ve tried everything.”
