LOL I’m cold just thinking about it. Do you want to go shopping this Saturday? I could ask Vince to help us arrange something?
Adelaide
YES! M, should we take her to The Snowdrop, too?
Mel
I’ll literally never say no to one of Cora’s cranberry scones
It’s a date!
Growing up in Michigan and then living in New York for the last six years, I had seen my fair share of snow. Yet somehow Wexstone eclipsed what I was used to. In just over two weeks here, I was sure I had seen more snow than I had in an entire winter back home.
I awoke Saturday morning to find that it had snowed nearly two feet overnight. The storm did little to deter the Wexstonians, though; Council staff had made quick work of clearing the roads as the citizens of Altborn started their day.
Thankfully, unlike at home where I would have been left to navigate public transportation or pay through the nose for a cab, Vince had arranged a car to take me into the city for my day with Adelaide and Mel. He had also organized for a bodyguard to shadow us for the day, given the media attention around the competition.
Adelaide and Mel, accompanied by a tall man dressed in black and sporting an earpiece, were just about to open the door to the small dress shop as I stepped out of the car.
“Good morning, ladies,” I said, waving as I bounced toward them.
“Good morning!” they greeted in unison.
“This is Jacob,” Mel added, indicating the bodyguard. “He said he will stay out of our way, but close enough to step in should we need him.” He nodded at me as he spoke quietly into his earpiece.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how beautiful this place is,” I mused as we entered the shop, the golden antique bell above the door jingling. The street outside was lined with tall Tudor buildings covered in snow-frosted garland and evergreen wreaths. Shutters of every color of the rainbow stood out against the black and brown buildings. Glistening icicles hungfrom the eaves above the cobblestone sidewalks, as carolers sang of decking the halls.
“I’ve lived here all of my life and every time I drive around the turn of the mountain going to the palace, it takes my breath away,” Mel said.
“I feel the same way every year when the first snow hits in September,” Adelaide added.
“I’m sorry, first snow in September?” I squealed, earning a quiet chuckle from Jacob. “I hate it if it snows before Thanksgiving at home!”
“Better start loving the snow, sweetness, it snows from September to April,” Mellie informed me as my body did a full shiver.
A petite woman clad in a white sheath dress and nude heels appeared from the back of the store and rounded a large alabaster counter to greet us.
“Bonjour! Welcome to Fleur de Laroche,” the woman spoke a heavy French accent. “My name is Ambre. What brings you beauties into the store today?” A quick flash of realization washed across her face. “Ah, you must be my eleven o’clock appointment, here to find dresses for an elegant garden party, no?” She brought her clasped hands to her chest.
“We are indeed,” I confirmed.
“S’il vous plaît, right this way.”
Jacob posted up by the entrance as we followed her down a narrow, whitewashed brick hallway to the back of the store. She led us through a door into a large room lined with dresses, pantsuits, and clothing racks full of undergarments. In the corner was a built-in shelf that housed shoes of every color. It was like Barbie's dream closet come to life.
“Okay, who wants to try on first?” Adelaide asked, taking in the dozens of options before us.
“Not it,” I said, touching my finger to mynose.
“Not me!” Mellie said at the same time.
“Wow. Thanks, guys.” Adelaide rolled her eyes. “I don’t even know where to start,” she complained as I sifted through a rack of couture gowns.
“Ooo,” I said. “I have an idea!”
They both looked at me with raised brows.
“When Sam and I go shopping for special occasions, we each pick out outfits we think the other should try on, on top of whatever we find for ourselves. Nine times out of ten, we end up picking what the other person chose. Let’s pull some options for each other.”
