The dress has a fitted bodice in a pink satin a couple shades lighter than the poofy skirt. White satin ribbons crisscross the back, ending in an adorable bow at the waist, where the dress flares out into those layers of tulle.
“That is a very pretty dress, babygirl. Would you like to try it on?”
Everything in me is dying to put that dress on. But just looking at it, I’m sure it’s way more money than I can justify spending, even if Mommy is paying for everything. “Oh, no. I just wanted to look at it.”
“Nonsense. That dress is just begging for a sweet Little girl like you to wear it. Come on.”
“Mommy, no,” I whisper loudly, trying to dig in my heels as she pulls be toward the store.
Pausing in front of the door, she turns and pins me with a look that has my stomach dropping to my knees. “Good Little girls do not tell their Mommiesno, Mia Grace.”
“I’m sorry Mommy, it’s just… that dress is probably really expensive.”
Mommy rolls her eyes. “And your Mommy and Daddy can more than afford it. Now, do you want to keep arguing and find out what secret things Mommy has hidden in her purse, or are you going to be a good girl and try on that dress?”
Well, when she puts it that way, I don’t really have a choice. “I’ll be good, Mommy.”
“Much better. Come on.” Giving my hand a tug, she pulls me into the store behind her.
And like an actual kid in a candy store, I stare around me in awe, taking in the explosion of color in the form of dresses andskirts and adorably frilly tops. It’s almost as if the store itself were designed for Little girls like me.
“Hello.” A woman dressed in a colorful rainbow tutu with a bright-yellow shirt emblazoned with the word “Babygirl” steps out from behind a curtain wearing an even brighter smile. “Welcome toSolene’s Off Main. Is there something I can help you ladies with?”
“Yes.” Mommy gestures to the window display. “I’m Sloane, and this is my babygirl, Mia. We have an appointment.”
We do?
The woman’s eyes light with pleasure. “Oh my gosh, yes! It’s so nice to meet you two! My name’s Ellie, I’ll be your consultant for today. Come on back with me and I’ll get Mia’s measurements.”
Ellie turns and Mommy steps forward to follow her, but I hang back. “An appointment?”
“Yes. I thought you might be more comfortable shopping somewhere that caters to our… special interests.”
“So this reallyisa store for Littles.”
“It is. Not that it’s widely advertised as such, but I have some connections in this world still, even though your Daddy and I stopped being super involved with the community years ago.”
Blinking up at her, I try to wrap my mind around what she’s telling me. “So you used your connections to not only find a store that caters to Littles, but make an appointment ahead of time, all so I would be more comfortable?”
“Of course. It’s a Mommy’s job to take care of her Little one.”
Emotion clogs my throat as I throw my arms around her neck and squeeze. “Thank you. This is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me in a really long time.”
“Anything for my babygirl.”
Pulling back, I bounce on my toes with a squeal and grab her hand, dragging her toward the changing rooms. “Come on! We have shopping to do!”
CHAPTER 10
SLOANE
It’s even more fun than I expected, watching my babygirl try on one adorable outfit after another. Especially becausesheis clearly having fun. I swear with every new party dress, cute twirly skirt, or adorable set of overalls, I can see the stress melting away from her.
As a result, we spend way more than I’d intended, which is something I’ll have to answer for when Ethan gets home. We have enough money that he doesn’t feel the need to police my spending, but I have a feeling even he will raise an eyebrow or two at the five-figure bill I just signed off on.
Oddly enough, the idea of being in “trouble” doesn’t piss me off the way it once did. Even the thought of going over my husband’s knee doesn’t fill me with dread. Maybe because now, as Mia’s Mommy, I feel more like his equal than I ever did when we first tried to establish a dynamic. So if he feels like I need a stern reminder to be more careful of my budget, well… I might be okay with that.
For now, however, my more immediate concern is the increasingly grumpy babygirl at my side. After Solene’s, we spent an hour walking around the mall, picking up little things here and there. New accessories, some new shoes, even a littlebackpack decorated with all her favorite princesses for her to carry in lieu of a purse.
