"If you're an artist, what about something like this?" the associate recommended and showed us a colorful gown. It was a strapless fit-and-flare.
"It's like watercolor," Hazel said, admiring the fabric. The white silk had artistic blotches and swishes of black accented by tangerine and a deep yellow.
"It will bring out the gold in your eyes," the sales associate said, holding the dress up to Hazel.
"I might need a little more support up top, though," Hazel said in concern.
"You'd be surprised with what a good bra can do," the associate told her.
"It is beautiful," Hazel said, chewing on her lip. "How much is it?"
"Don't worry about it. Just choose what you like," I told her.
The associate ushered Hazel into a dressing room. She came out looking like a princess—a cool, artsy princess. The folded pieces on the bodice showed just enough cleavage to tease. Hazel admired herself in the mirror while the sales associate pulled up her hair into a loose topknot.
"Maybe something like this for your hair?"
"You look stunning," I told Hazel. "She also needs some cocktail dresses," I said, holding out one that had a lace back.
"For what?"
"We have several dinners, not just the gala. Plus you need some clothes for walking around."
When Hazel came out in the formfitting cocktail dress, she looked just as sexy as I thought she would.
"I just want to lick you," I told her seriously.
The sales associate smiled slightly at Hazel. "Gold jewelry with this would be stunning. Pair the outfit with a pointed-toe stiletto."
Hazel also tried on various blouses and skirts.
"I look very French," Hazel said with a laugh as she modeled the outfit. "I really love the pussy bow neck. Don't even say anything," she warned me.
"I would recommend a black strappy sandal," the associate said as she took all of Hazel's clothes to the front counter. "There's a nice shoe shop a few doors down."
I blocked Hazel from trying to read the screen as the associate rang up the clothes. "You've put a lot of work into this bid," I told her. "You deserve something nice."
She made a face.
"I'll have the clothes sent to my hotel," I said, taking the receipt.
"Your hotel?" Hazel exclaimed.
"Surely you aren't getting ready in your studio, are you?" I scoffed.
"I guess not." She was chewing on her lip again, and I leaned in to kiss her mouth.
"Next on the agenda," I said when we walked out of the shop, "shoes, jewelry, and of course, lingerie." I waggled my eyebrows, making her laugh.
"That seems a little excessive," she said. "I probably have some shoes I can wear."
"You're a little on the height-challenged side," I said. "You can't show up in flats. You don't want to be shorter than everyone else."
She shoved me. "Still, maybe I can buy the shoes at a thrift store."
"Maybe," I said. "Except, oh look, we're already conveniently here at this shoe store. We should look around."
"It's expensive," she insisted.
