“What’s your style preference?” Emily asked Lynda. “Traditional? Modern? Somewhere in between?”
“Comfortable,” Lynda said firmly. “And practical.”
“She means elegant but understated,” Kathleen translated diplomatically. “Nothing too fussy.”
Lynda bit her bottom lip. “I really liked the dress you found me for Kathleen’s wedding.”
Emily nodded thoughtfully, then pulled three dresses from the rack. The first was a sheath-style dress in champagne silk. The second was an A-line in ivory with minimal beading. And the third was a simple cream dress with a fluffy wrap that would keep Lynda warm.
“Try the champagne one,” Isabel urged from the phone screen. “The color would be stunning on you.” She looked over her shoulder and sighed. “I have to help a customer. Don’t choose anything without me seeing it first.”
And before Susan could say goodbye, Isabel had ended the call.
Lynda took the champagne dress from Emily’s hand and examined the neckline. “I don’t think this is me. It feels too over-the-top.”
“Just try it,” Susan encouraged. “If you hate it, we’ll move on.”
While Lynda changed, Susan and Kathleen settled into the plush chairs outside the fitting area. Emily brought them sparkling water, just as she had during Kathleen’s dress shopping.
“Matt’s going to love whatever Lynda picks,” Kathleen said quietly. “That man lights up when she enters a room.”
“They’re perfect for each other,” Susan agreed, remembering how comfortable they were together. “He balances her intensity, and she keeps him grounded.”
“I know another couple like that,” Kathleen said with a smile.
Susan didn’t know who her friend was talking about. “Do you mean Isabel and Frank, or you and Patrick?”
Kathleen placed her glass on a small table beside her. “I meant you and Paul. You’re at your happiest when you’re talking to him.”
Susan’s eyebrows rose. “For one thing, Paul and I aren’t a couple. We’re working together to create a new menu for his restaurant, that’s all.”
“If you say so. But even before the menu changes, you spent a lot of time talking to each other.” Mercifully, Kathleen dropped the subject as Lynda emerged from the fitting room.
The champagne silk dress hung beautifully on Lynda’s frame, but her expression showed just how uncomfortable she felt. She stood awkwardly on the small platform, arms crossed as if defending herself against their reactions.
“It’s lovely,” Kathleen began, but Lynda shook her head.
“I feel like I’m playing dress-up. This isn’t me.”
Susan studied her friend. The dress was technically flattering, but Lynda was right. It didn’t capture who she was. “Try the ivory A-line next.”
After calling Isabel, they all agreed that the second dress was worse than the first. The third was better but still not quite right. Emily brought out two more options, but nothing seemed to connect with Lynda the way Susan had hoped.
“I appreciate your help, Emily,” Lynda said finally, her voice apologetic. “But I don’t think any of these are quite right for me.”
Emily’s expression remained warm and understanding. “That’s perfectly fine. Finding the right dress takes time.” She paused, studying Lynda thoughtfully. “Actually, I might have something in the back that could work. It just came in yesterday—a designer sample I haven’t even put on the floor yet. Would you mind waiting a few minutes while I bring it out?”
“Of course,” Susan said quickly, before Lynda could protest.
Emily disappeared into the back room while Susan called Isabel so she could see everything. When Emily returned, she carried a dress in deep winter white. It wasn’t quite cream, and not quite ivory, but something in between.
The design was deceptively simple. With a V-neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a skirt that fell in soft folds to the floor, it wasn’t flashy or over-the-top. But the fabric caught the light beautifully, and the shape would complement the wearer instead of overwhelming them.
“Try this,” Emily said, handing the dress to Lynda. “No pressure. If it’s wrong, we’ll explore other options.”
Lynda disappeared into the fitting area, and Susan waited with Kathleen. Even Isabel leaned closer to the camera on her phone, not wanting to miss the reveal.
When Lynda emerged, Susan’s breath caught.
